Political Communication in America: advertising, rhetoric, images.

elective courses

Blended learning
Classroom

the purpose of the course is the analysis of the development of modern forms of political communication: from the coming of television to the contemporary electronic communicators. We shall examine various theories of media and communication and study such forms of communication as speeches, electoral, advertisements, press conferences, debates, internet websites, memes and internet communicators. The purpose of our class is to analyze KEY words, and images which move Americans in their political role as citizens and voters.

Classes will have a variety of formats: discussions, workshops, analysis of audiovisual materials, analysis of internet resources

GRADING:

in class presentation (may be a group work) (40%), individual term paper (may but need not be based on the presentation research design) (40%) participation in workshops and class discussions (20%). Term paper deadline - the end of the first week of examination period. Electronic submission.

Modern politics is a form of a spectacle created by the publics and political actors competing for support and recognition. Media play a crucial role in structuring people's perceptions of reality and their own identity and interests. We will study a variety of relations between political actors and publics: communication in elections, political marketing, debates, stump speeches, slogans, press conferences and the uses of social media. We will also analyze nonverbal communication and other forms of communication which influence perceptions of politics by the publics.

Students will have the opportunity to do in depth research of a chosen communication medium, or a form of politics or follow a particular actor and his messages in the public sphere.

there will be workshop activities as we will try to acquire practical skills in the sphere of communication; construct campaign scenarios, political ads, write speeches, practice debates.

What is political communication

An overview of major theories of communication

methods of media analysis

media and politics a conceptual framework

political propaganda

political marketing

the language of politics

symbols myths and rituals in political discourse

nonverbal communication

political advertising

debates

internet and politics

social media and politics

analysis of the 2024 presidential campaign through the prism of communication strategies and methods

Karlyn Kohrs Campbell, Kathleen Hall Jamieson, Deeds Done in Words: Presidential Rhetoric and the Genres of Governance, University Of Chicago Press 1990

Ann N. Crigler (ed), The Psychology of Political Communication, University of Michigan Press 1996

Edwin Diamond, Stephen Bates, The Spot. The Rise of Political Advertising on Television, Cambridge, Mass. The MiT Press, 1988

Robert V. Friedenberg (ed.), Rhetorical Studies of National Political Debates 1960-1992, Praeger 1994

Kenneth Hacker (ed.), Candidate Images in Presidential Elections, Praeger 1995

Diana Mutz, Paul Sniderman, Richard Brody (eds.), Political Persuasion and Attitude Change, University of Michigan 1996

Dan Nimmo, James Combs, Mediated Political Realities, Longman 1983

Jeffrey Scheuer, The Sound Bite society. television and the American Mind, Four Walls Eight Windows 1999

Marry Stuckey (ed.), The Theory and Practice of Political Communication Research, SUNY 1996

Judith Trent, Robert Friedenberg (eds.), Political Campaign Communication. Principles and Practices, Praeger 1991.

occasional academic journal articles, current press, internet websites, youtube

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

1. knowledge: students will find out about the nature of political communication in America , they will learn how political identity is constructed and how it affects public perceptions and behavior of politicians and their relations with their supporters, understand the symbolic and ritualistic nature of politics;

2. Skills: students will construct political ads, write speeches, prepare political campaigns; analyze statistical data; learn how to measure and compare cultural phenomena;

3. Social competence: build team work habits; become skilled in confrontational discussions, practice presentation of research findings.