From a Presidential Campaign to the University Classroom: A Series of Lectures and Workshops by Arun Chaudhary at Karazin University

At the Education and Research Institute of Sociology and Media Communications of Karazin University, a series of lectures and practical classes has begun with invited professor Arun Chaudhary — an American filmmaker and specialist in political communications, visual storytelling, and political media.

The classes are organized for students enrolled in the educational and professional programs “Sociology of Communications, Advertising and Public Relations” (specialty C5 Sociology) and “Media Communications and Public Relations” (specialty C7 Journalism) as part of the “Political Science” course taught by Associate Professor of the Department of Political Sociology Ruslan Zaporozhchenko.

Arun Chaudhary holds a bachelor’s degree in film theory from Cornell University and a Master of Fine Arts degree from New York University. He has worked as a screenwriter, director, sound engineer, and film critic. He also taught at New York University’s Department of Cinema Studies for graduate students for five years.

In 2008, he joined the New Media Team of Barack Obama’s presidential campaign and, following the election, became the first official White House videographer. From 2009 to 2011, he documented the work of the U.S. president and his administration, combining political communication, documentary filmmaking, and new media.

An important component of the course is practical work with creative tools for political communication, visual storytelling, and alternative media production formats.

During the classes, students analyze how political messages are created, how visual imagery influences audience perception, and how different media formats can be used to communicate political ideas. This format makes it possible to combine the academic study of political processes with a practical understanding of how communication strategies are developed, how political storytelling works, and how interaction with different audiences is built in the modern media environment.

The series of classes has been made possible through the cooperation of colleagues and university units.

The Institute expresses its gratitude to Professor Arun Chaudhary for his willingness to share his professional experience and knowledge with students of Karazin University, as well as to the Institute’s Director Olena Muradian and Deputy Director for International Cooperation Daria Yashkina for organizing and implementing this educational initiative.

Special thanks go to the Mykola Lukash Department of Translation Studies, particularly Acting Head of the Department Olha Pieshkova, for assistance in organizing simultaneous interpreting during the classes. The interpreting is provided by students of the Department, who also have the opportunity to apply their professional skills in real international academic communication.

This initiative of the Department of Political Sociology of the Education and Research Institute of Sociology and Media Communications is an example of how interdepartmental cooperation, international expertise, and practice-oriented learning create new opportunities for the professional and academic development of Karazin students.