Spring, 2001

Instructor: Julie Victa

Office: Tower 321S

Phone 740-3602 (office) (773) 384-1297 (home)

E-mail jvicta@stfrancis.edu or julievicta@prodigy.net

Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 8:30-9; Monday and Wednesday 12-1; Tuesdays TBA

Course Description:

This course examines the relationship of political institutions, actors, and the media in American society. The interaction between these institutions and their impact will be examined. This semester we will also focus on a specific aspect of media--film as a way to examine issues, media, bias, and changes in public opinion. Issues and events such as Immigration, the Great Depression, World Wars, the Cold War, civil rights, Watergate, and campaigns and elections will be examined.

Course Objectives:

After successful completion of this course students will:

• Demonstrate knowledge about critical events in American politics as portrayed by the media.
• Demonstrate critical thinking through on-going analysis in essays and in class presentations.
• Demonstrate oral communication skills through class discussion and presentations.
• Demonstrate writing ability.
• Demonstrate research skills and appropriate citation and bibliographic techniques:

Class participation and presentations     20%

Essays    40%

Research Paper     20%

Exams (2)     20%

Required Reading:

Richard Neustadt and Ernest R. May Thinking In Time: The Uses of History for Decision Makers

Darrell M. West. Air Wars

Assigned reading to be distributed in class

Note: Students are expected to attend class on a regular basis. Students are responsible for all films assigned in and outside of class.

Note: Any evidence of plagiarism will result in a failing grade. Consult USF Catalogue for University policy regarding plagiarism

Course Outline

I. Introduction Political Communication; using analogy in making decisions, Begin Thinking in Time
 

II. The Immigration Expereince in America Hester Street Complete assigned readings, first essay due

III. World War I All Quiet on the Western Front     Idealism, realism and power politics; portrayal of war in film     Neustadt and May, complete assigned reading, second essay due

IV. The Great Depression The Grapes of Wrath     FDR and the New Deal     Assigned reading, third essay due

V. The Cold War Dr Strangelove or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb     Nuclear Terror, The Arms Race, Mutually Assured Destruction     Neustadt and May, fourth essay due

VI. The Civil Rights Movement The Long Walk Home     Response of political institutions to civil rights,     Fifth essay due

VII. The Vietnam War Apocalypse Now     U.S. decision makers and Vietnam,     Use of analogy in decision making,     Read Neustadt and May, sixth essay due

VIII. Watergate All the President's Men     Johnson, Nixon and the Imperial Presidency     Read Neustadt and May, seventh essay due

IX. Portrayal of the Political Process in film:     The Last Hurrah     The Seduction of Joe Tynan     Primary Colors     Begin reading Air Wars, eighth essay due

X. Political Commercials

    The Selling of the President

    Finish Air Wars ninth essay due

XI. The 2000 Campaign

    Bush, Gore, and Nader Revisited

    Student Presentations

    Research paper due

XII. Conclusion

    Final Exam