Political Communication in America: advertising, rhetoric, images. 4219-RS266

Modern politics is a form of a spectacle created by the publics and political actors competing for support and recognition. Media play a crucial role in structuring people's perceptions of reality and their own identity and interests. We will study a variety of relations between political actors and publics: communication in elections, political marketing, debates, stump speeches, slogans, press conferences and the uses of social media. We will also analyze nonverbal communication and other forms of communication which influence perceptions of politics by the publics.

Students will have the opportunity to do in depth research of a chosen communication medium, or a form of politics or follow a particular actor and his messages in the public sphere.

there will be workshop activities as we will try to acquire practical skills in the sphere of communication; construct campaign scenarios, political ads, write speeches, practice debates.

What is political communication

An overview of major theories of communication

methods of media analysis

media and politics a conceptual framework

political propaganda

political marketing

the language of politics

symbols myths and rituals in political discourse

nonverbal communication

political advertising

debates

internet and politics

social media and politics

analysis of the 2024 presidential campaign through the prism of communication strategies and methods

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
1. knowledge: students will find out about the nature of political communication in America , they will learn how political identity is constructed and how it affects public perceptions and behavior of politicians and their relations with their supporters, understand the symbolic and ritualistic nature of politics;

2. Skills: students will construct political ads, write speeches, prepare political campaigns; analyze statistical data; learn how to measure and compare cultural phenomena;

3. Social competence: build team work habits; become skilled in confrontational discussions, practice presentation of research findings.