PSCI 4701 Symbolic Politics

INSTRUCTOR CONTACT:

Dr. Michael Kanner
Email:  Michael.Kanner@Colorado.EDU

OBJECTIVES:

Unlike courses that look at politics in terms of institutions or norms, this course looks at how political rhetoric uses the emotions associated with symbols as a means of promoting political agendas and change. By the end of the semester, students are expected to –

1. Identify how political discourse reflects dominant discourses in American society;
2. Examine the manipulation of discourse and symbols in governance;
3. Evaluate how various political actors establish agenda and framing to their advantage;
4. Analyze the use of symbols in the acquisition of power.

REQUIRED TEXTS:

McNair, Brian. 2011. An Introduction to Political Communication (Communication and Society). New York: Routledge Publishing, Inc.

Perloff, Richard M. 2013. The Dynamics of Political Communication: Media and Politics in a Digital Age. New York: Routledge Publishing, Inc.

GRADING:

Module I Critical Paper          25 points
Module II Critical Paper         25 points
Module III Critical Paper         25 points
Campaign Ad Analysis           10 points
On-line participation              15 points
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Total                                           100 points