Philosophy 411 - Seminar: Propaganda

What is distinctive of propaganda qua political messaging strategy? What makes a particular signal propagandistic? Perhaps propaganda is false or misleading. On the other hand, wasn’t the Crown sincere in its injunction to “keep calm and carry on”? Or perhaps propaganda is manipulative, and therefore rationally subversive. But if that’s right, then in what sense are familiar examples of bald-faced authoritarian propaganda really propaganda? Maybe, whatever might be said for propaganda’s alethic or epistemic properties, it is somehow fundamentally politically or morally objectionable? But then, what are we to make of W.E.B. Du Bois’ claim that “all art is propaganda and ever must be, despite the wailing of the purists.”? What is propaganda, and why?

Limit to 15. Spring semester. Lauren Leydon-Hardy.  (S or T or V)

How to handle overenrollment: Priority to philosophy majors, starting with seniors

Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: Emphasis on written work, close reading, annotations, and note taking, research, oral presentations, collaborative work, and discussion.