Time Schedule:
Misti L. Williams
POL S 306
Seattle Campus
Explores how society and culture are both represented in and shaped by communication technologies and media content. Media include film, advertising, news, entertainment television, talk shows, and the Internet. Explores how media represent and affect individual identity, values, and political engagement. Offered: jointly with COM 306.
Class description
The purpose of this course is to explore how consumerism and modern marketing practices are transforming the nature of politics and democratic citizenship in the United States. As citizens face an ever-expanding stream of media content, advertisers become more reliant on branding and products based on the personal identities of consumers. This then changes the nature of politics, as citizens become more interested in private life and personalized appeals to individual identity, than in abstract notions of a public good. As a result, political appeals utilize the same branding and advertising practices used by commercial marketers. The course will also critically examine the increasing backlash against such practices and question whether these movements represent a viable alternative for citizens with the goal of returning to a less commercialized public life. Students will be asked to critically examine the media's social and cultural power and to question the role the media play in their everyday lives.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Recommended preparation
Class assignments and grading
Students will be graded on two take-home exams and participation in class discussion. Students are expected to do *all* of the reading and come to class ready to discuss the required reading materials as well as examples of the course concepts found outside of class.
Exam #1: 40% Exam #2: 40% Participation: 20%
