FYS 171 Politics and the Media in Modern American History
This course examines the impact of different forms of media on American politics from a historical perspective. As such, it seeks to answer a series of questions. Have media institutions ranging from the film industry to talk radio to cable news distorted our politics? Have political actors shaped our media landscape through partisan media and by controlling the messaging on nominally neutral news organizations? How have political and policy priorities led the federal government to seek partnerships with media organizations? Students conduct original research geared toward a final project that examines the nature and effectiveness of political communication in American history.