PROPAGANDA AND PUBLIC OPINION*

概要

This course analyses the development, techniques and results of mass persuasion and propaganda from their beginnings in the ancient world to their influence in today’s global society. The first part of the course focuses on states’ purpose and rationale in employing mass persuasion techniques. In this section, we will study mass persuasion and propaganda in a range of contexts: in war and peace; in democratic states and non-democracies; in developed and developing countries. The second part of the course turns to public opinion and how citizens interpret and respond to the mass persuasion and propaganda campaigns to which they are subject. Students will be given a theoretical framework for understanding public opinion. In this section we will study: the nature of mass beliefs; policy attitudes; political participation; value change; elections and parties; the media and campaigns, voting behaviour; social cleavages; and partisan orientations. The course concludes by considering the impact of new media on the techniques and results of efforts to influence public opinion in the digital age. The course is particularly relevant to students interested in further study in politics and media and/or considering careers related to journalism, public relations, opinion polling, campaign management or advertising. But it is also relevant to anyone who watches, listens to, or reads the media—which is everyone.

目標

Upon completing this class, students should be able to: • Understand and apply theories of propaganda and public opinion formation; • Develop observations and conclusions about selected themes in political communications; • Construct interpretations using evidence and critical analysis; • Communicate and defend interpretations. Furthermore, this course is designed to help students: • Develop thinking, learning and communication skills; • Develop skills in identifying, accessing and evaluating sources of information; • Promote curiosity and life-long learning; • Understand the construction and conventions of political science writing; • Use citations and referencing appropriately; • Appropriately integrate information, arguments, and perspectives from political science sources into their own work; • Use political science databases. In this course, students learn by reading and reflecting on the assigned texts, participating in class discussion, leading seminars, asking questions, and writing papers.

授業外の学習

This class meets three hours a week. Students can expect approximately 190 minutes of preparation per class. Students can expect approximately 190 minutes of preparation in total per class: 40 minutes reflecting on previous lecture 60 minutes reading 90 minutes writing notes, preparing written assignment and presentations and writing class discussion questions.

所要時間: 190 minutes