Political Science 393M - S-Media in American Politics

The media have been known as the "fourth branch" of the American political system, and not without reason. This course examines the changing role of media in American politics. Key issues include how media shapes citizens' thinking about politics, how politicians and citizen activists try to advance their goals through media, and how media outlets themselves shape what is considered news. We will also consider how entertainment media shapes people's understandings of public affairs, and the rise of new media from 24-7 cable news to blogs and social media, and whether these new forms of communication can enhance democratic governance or simply accelerate the fragmentation of media and polarization of the American public. The focus is on the US but at times the course may compare American media and politics to systems elsewhere in the world.

Open to Senior and Junior Political Science majors only. Journalism & Communication Majors interested in registering for this course please contact the Instructor at: scottblinder@polsci.umass.edu