bringing in structure

technische universität dortmund

Fakultät KulturwissenschaftenInstitut für Journalistik

Dipl.-Journ. Tobias Eberwein | London, 20th May 2010

Bringing in structureA systems-theoretical view on literary journalism



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A systems-theoretical view on literary journalism…

How can a theory of society be useful in the study of

literary journalism? What is literary journalism from a sociological perspective?

The origination of literary journalism not only depends on

the authors that write it, but also – to a considerable degree – on context factors promoting

or preventing its creation.

Niklas Luhmann (1927-1998)



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Arts and mass media in a functionally differentiated society

Function system

Economy Politics Science Law Arts Mass media

FunctionDistribution of scarce goods

Collectively binding decisions

Knowledge JusticeOrder despite contingency

Self-observation of society

Code Have/have notGovernment/ opposition

True/false Legal/illegal Beautiful/uglyInformation/non-information

Medium Money Power Truth Lawsuit Beauty ---

Program InvestmentsCoalition agreement

Methods ConstitutionStyles, manifestos

Professional techniques

Organisation Companies States, parties Universities Courts Museums Newsrooms

(cf. Werber 2008: 448)



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Literature and journalism as social systems

Literature as social system:What is literature for? What are the social conditions of literary communication?(cf. e.g. Faulstich 1986; Meyer/Ort 1988; Schmidt 1989; Schwanitz 1990, 1993; Rusch 1991, 1993; Werber 1992; Plumpe/Werber 1993; Plumpe 1995; Reinfandt 1995; Fohrmann/Müller 1996)

Journalism as social system:What is journalism for? What are the social conditions of journalistic communication?(cf. e.g. Rühl 1969, 1980; Marcinkowski 1993; Spangenberg 1993; Gerhards 1994; Blöbaum 1994; Kohring 1997; Scholl/Weischenberg 1998; Görke 1999; Weber 2000)



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Literary journalism as subsystem of the journalism system

Function

Selection and dissemination of information for public communication

Code

Topical/non-topical

Medium

Topicality

Programs

Professional journalistic techniques for selecting, structuring and presenting information intermingle with literary stylistics!

Organisations

Mass media, newsrooms



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Potentials and problems

Necessary precision in defining literary journalism Clarification of the specific social function of literary journalism Consideration of the structures of literary journalism Connectivity to other journalism research

But: criticism from different directions

Nonetheless: possible application, e.g., in analyses of the differentiation history of literary journalism or cross-cultural comparisons



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Bringing in structureA systems-theoretical view on literary journalism

Contact:

Dipl.-Journ. Tobias EberweinInstitut für JournalistikTechnische Universität DortmundEmil-Figge-Str. 50D-44227 Dortmund

Tel.: +49 (0)231 755-4195Fax: +49 (0)231 755-5583E-Mail: [email protected]

http://www.journalistik-dortmund.dehttp://www.coolepark.de

Picture credits: Kunstart.net, Romana Schaile/pixelio.de; Sonntag/Wikimedia Commons

7Dipl.-Journ. Tobias Eberwein | London, 20th May 2010


bringing in structure

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