University of Guelph-Humber

As part of the University of Guelph-Humber’s international study initiative, students are enriching their learning experience through seven global study opportunities.

Here, we head to London and Berlin where we learn about walking the line between persuasion and propaganda in pursuit of truth.

What is persuasion?  What is propaganda?  When does information become propaganda?  Is there even a difference?

Questions at the centre of an international study trip, where UofGH students are examining the fine line between the two.  Assistant Program Head of Media Studies and course director, Kathy Ullyott:  “In our Western minds, we often see propaganda to have a negative connotation.  Although, it really is just materials in support of something.  But we do persuade, and have many tools for that given the various new forms of media.” 

“Whether it’s marketing or promotion or public relations or editorial content, the profession of persuasion is ubiquitous,” she says. 

First to London. 

UofGH students are looking at ethical issues as well as trends as they encounter various examples of persuasiveness and propaganda at the BBC, at Thomson Reuters, at the Imperial War Museum, at a public relations agency, and at Goldsmiths, University of London.

“How did the British use propaganda during the war?  What is the role of traditional news media?  Why do news media try not to persuade?  When do they try to persuade?  How do they walk that line between being objective, and being influential?  Where the lines between editorial and advertising are now so blurred as the industry struggles to stay afloat, can the average consumer even distinguish?” 

Then, to Berlin.

“We’re looking at examples of Nazi propaganda as we visit the Topography of Terror museum, situated at the former site of the SS, Gestapo, SD and RSHA main offices, which runs along the longest standing part of the Berlin Wall.  We’re visiting the new seat of Germany’s parliament and federal government, the German National Museum, and the Holocaust memorial.”

“What a pervasive tool media are for persuading and motivating.  And so - where does the truth lie?” 

Study Abroad at UofGH