Politics, Media and The Republic (352-0-20)

Instructors

Peter D Slevin

Meeting Info

McCormick Foundation Ctr 2131: Wed 10:00AM - 12:50PM

Overview of class

As the 2022 midterm election season enters high gear, with control of Congress at stake, this seminar examines the most challenging period for American political journalism since Watergate and the Vietnam War - and one of the most fascinating. Count on developing your own understandings of how the country reached this point, what role journalism plays and what will happen next, after the most tumultuous campaign for the presidency and Congress in at least 50 years. We will explore such themes as polarization, political image-making and advertising, voting rights and voter suppression, as well as campaign rhetoric and policy issues. We will explore the 2022 campaign and consider the reckoning faced by Republicans and Democrats alike, as President Biden presses his agenda, Donald Trump argues his case from the wings, and both parties look ahead.

This class will feature an optional weekend reporting trip to Wisconsin during the final two weeks of the campaign.

The class is taught by Peter Slevin, a longtime national correspondent for The Washington Post, who now writes about politics for The New Yorker.

Registration Requirements

Sophomore Standing

Class Materials (Required)

None

Class Notes

Includes opportunities for travel

Class Attributes

Attendance at 1st class mandatory
No Freshmen
SDG Peace & Justice

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Reserved for Medill Sophomores, Juniors & Seniors