First-Year Seminar in Philosophy (109-6-21)

Topic

Propaganda

Instructors

Megan Alexandra Hyska
847/491-2551
Kresge 3-349

Meeting Info

Kresge 3438 Philosophy Sem. Rm: Tues, Thurs 2:00PM - 3:20PM

Overview of class

Democracy works when people are able to make conscientious, informed decisions about the kind of society they want to live in. Thinkers from antiquity to the present have been concerned with the various ways that this ability can be undermined by propaganda, both in purported democracies and in explicitly authoritarian regimes. On the other hand, many radical thinkers have suggested that propaganda isn't always bad, and is perhaps a necessary component of liberatory social and political movements. In this course we will be asking three central questions: What is propaganda? How does propaganda function in the world today? And finally, how can a just society deal with propaganda's negative effects?

Evaluation Method

Attendance
Class participation
Presentation
Papers

Class Attributes

WCAS First-Year Seminar

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Reserved for First Year & Sophomore only
Add Consent: Department Consent Required
Drop Consent: Department Consent Required