Political Science: Politics and Media

Exploration of the role of media in democracy. Subjects include how media operate in the United States and how media presentation and interpretation of events affect democracy through shaping public opinion, affecting political institutions, and determining public policy. Prerequisite: POLS 1300 or POLS 1013.

Prerequisite enforced by the system: POLS 1300 or POLS 1013; Minimum Sophomore standing PACE students with permission and override.

This course is dedicated to understanding the nature of the mass media in the U.S. and how the media effect politics. Questions addressed include: What drives media coverage of politics? What biases exist in that coverage? What can be done to improve media coverage? What role do the media play in the development of political beliefs? How do the media affect elections? And, how do the media affect governments?

Students are expected to develop a sophisticated understanding of the complexity of the media system in the U.S. and its effects.

The course offers short-tests, papers (including a project-based paper), and a final exam as opportunities for students to demonstrate what they have learned. Substantive contributions to class discussions provide another opportunity.