This course is designed to introduce students to some foundational theories and practices of critical media studies, an interdisciplinary field of inquiry that analyzes the complex interactions between media, culture, politics, and ideology. We will explore a variety of U.S. media texts and platforms in relation to specific issues and events. As the 2024 general election, which is also a presidential election, coincides with the semester, we will devote ongoing, but not exclusive, attention to media-related election issues, and the question “What constitutes ‘truth’ in a 'post-truth' era?”. The course will be discussion-based and writing-intensive, and students will read and write analyses of both cultural theory and specific texts, as well as ultimately produce a final paper on a topic of their choosing.
- Teacher: Viveca Greene