Abstract

Overview

This project investigates the discursive influence and power dynamics of word-image combinations and their impact on democratic structures. At its core, it explores the mechanisms of multimodal communication—such as political cartoons, memes, reels, or VR formats—that are increasingly employed for populist, extremist, and manipulative purposes. These “semantic battles” over language and interpretative authority have the potential to undermine democratic processes and threaten social cohesion. The project analyzes how narrative strategies operate within various forms of communication, the role that text-image constellations play in political discourse, and how these formats are systematically used for disinformation.

Structure

The project follows an inter- and transdisciplinary approach, bringing together expertise from linguistics, cultural studies, social sciences, media studies, history, and subject didactics. With a strong international perspective—focusing particularly on German, French, Italian, and Latin American contexts—the research expands across regional and cultural dimensions. A planned networking conference will launch the formation of a collaborative research group, which will address key questions and build direct connections with educational practice. A specially organized table ronde will facilitate dialogue between researchers and educators, with the aim of developing concrete didactic transfer formats.

Objectives

The primary objective is to develop a robust and theoretically grounded concept for promoting critical discourse competence and multimodal text literacy—one that not only advances academic knowledge but also proves effective in school-based education. The transfer to schools aligns with the principles of the “Third Mission,” the social responsibility of academic research to translate its insights into tangible educational processes. The project aims to empower young people to identify manipulative linguistic and visual strategies, critically engage with disinformation, and participate actively and reflectively in democratic processes of negotiation. In doing so, the project contributes to democratic education and the safeguarding of peace—particularly in light of the challenges of our digital age.