This course explores the mass media's influence on how citizens think about and act in the social and political world. While the greatest attention will be paid to television and newspaper coverage of national politics and government, we will also examine media such as magazines, political cartoons, radio, film, the internet, and so forth. You are expected to attend all class meetings having read and thought about the assigned readings for the day. Class participation is encouraged. Under special circumstances you may devise your own research project to take the place of one or both of the assigned take-home exams.
All independent projects require prior approval by the instructor.
Group projects are encouraged, though the quality and quantity of work must be commensurate to the number of students involved. All the readings listed below are required and must be read by the class session for which they were assigned. Books read in their entirety should be purchased at the Columbia University Bookstore. Abramson, et al. Abramson, et al.