Media Project

This class is based on the premise that there are core values the Americans hold with relative intensity and that the holding of these values makes them somehow unique in the world. It has been argued in class that these values are perpetuated through political socialization, and the media is a large part of that socialization.

During the 10 weeks class is in session, students will collect a combination of 8-10 newspaper articles, magazine articles, and advertisements that reflect the “American” attitudes and values studied in class. In addition, students may enter their own personal reflections about movies, television shows, and songs they have seen/heard and offer explanations as to how those media reflect American political thought.

For example, the song “Only in America” was played in class as an example of American’s deeply held beliefs in equality and social mobility. As part of this project, you may highlight other songs, movies, and media snipits (download the lyrics and print them out; in a paragraph describe a particular movie scene) and then write an additional paragraph explaining why the snipit is illustrative of American Political Thought.

Click here for an example project