POLITICS AND THE MEDIA
Political Science 213
Spring 1998

...what is called the adjustment of man to his environment takes place through the medium of fictions. By fictions I do not mean lies. I mean a representation of the environment which is in lesser or greater degree made by man himself...The alternative to the use of fictions is direct exposure to the ebb and flow of sensation. That is not a real alternative...for the real environment is altogether too big, too complex, and too fleeting for direct acquaintance. We are not equipped to deal with so much subtlety, so much variety, so many permutations and combinations. And although we have to act in that environment, we have to reconstruct it on a simpler model before we can manage it.

--Walter Lippmann, Public Opinion (1921), 15-16.

Mediated, secondhand reality is our politics, and there is little we can do about it.

--Dan Nimmo and James Combs, Mediated Political Realities (1990), 18.

Course Objectives

How do we know what is happening in the world around us? For the most part, since we have little direct interaction with the world outside our own communities, we depend on the media to tell us what is real. As constructors of this "secondhand reality," the media have (at least potentially) great influence on our beliefs and actions, especially in the world of politics. Do the media do their jobs well? Do they "tell it like it is," or do they create a world distorted in critical and consequential ways? Of course, we are not passive receivers of political information. How do we process media information, and to what extent does that information affect our political behavior?

These questions form the core of this course. We will focus on the role the mass media play in American politics, with emphasis on systemic as well as individual effects. We will look at the way in which news is reported, the impact of news coverage on individual attitudes and behaviors, and the strategies various political actors employ to manipulate the media to their advantage. We will pay particular attention to the ways in which Americans process information, and to the impact of the media in elections and on political institutions. We will address as well concerns about the impact of the media on American culture and values.

You will be expected to read and understand a significant -- though certainly not overwhelming -- amount of material dealing with politics and the media. I will assume that when you come to class you are prepared to discuss and write about the assigned material for that day, or to ask questions about it. Your participation in such discussions is an expected and crucial component of the course.

Requirements

SHORT PAPERS. Two 1500 word papers (approximately five pages) will be assigned during the semester.
Tentative paper dates are as follows:
Paper number one: assigned February 5, turned in February 14
Paper number two: assigned April 3, turned in April 12

EXAMS. Two exams will be given: an in-semester exam (tentative date: February 28) and a final exam.

"QUIZ BITES." At various times during the semester, you will be expected to write brief in- class essays about topics covered in the assigned reading.

LATE WORK. The penalty for work handed in after it is due is one letter grade (i.e. 10 points) every three days; papers late more than two weeks will not be accepted (students will receive a zero in such cases). Computer problems are not acceptable excuses for late papers. All work in this course is bound by the Honor Code.

GRADE COMPOSITION. Grades will be calculated as follows: first paper 20%, first exam 20%, second paper 25%, final exam 25%, quiz bites, 10%.

Books and Supplementary Materials

Four books are required for the course. Additionally, readings may be placed on reserve in the library.

Doris Graber, Mass Media and American Politics (5th ed.)
Pippa Norris (ed.), Politics and the Press
Mary E. Stuckey, The President as Interpreter-in-Chief
Darrell M. West, Air Wars (2nd ed.)

Topic Outline and Reading Schedule

I. Introduction: The Media in America

A. Ownership, Regulation and Control of the Media

READING: Graber, chaps. 1 and 2

B. Press Freedom

READING: Graber, chap. 3

II. The News Media

A. Introduction

READING: Norris, chaps. 1 (Parker) and 2 (Carper)

B. The Gatekeepers

READING: Graber, chap. 4

C. News "Framing"

READING: Norris, chap. 11 (Norris)

D. Crisis Coverage

READING: Graber, chap. 5

E. Investigative Journalism: The "Muckrakers"

READING: Graber, chap. 6

III. How Americans Process the News: A Theory

READING: Graber, chap. 7

IV. The Media and American Political Institutions

A. Overview

READING: Graber, chap. 9

B. Presidents and the Media

READING: Stuckey, The President as Interpreter-in-Chief

V. Elections and the Media

A. Introduction

READING: Graber, chap. 8; Norris, chap. 5 (Kern and Just)

B. Television Advertising in Political Campaigns

READING: West, Air Wars; Norris, chap. 7 (Milburn and Brown)

C. Political Debates

READING: Norris, chap. 6 (Delli Carpini, Keeter, and Webb)

VI. The Media and Public Policy

A. Domestic Policy Examples: Violence and AIDS

READING: Norris, chaps. 8 (Bok) and 9 (Cook)

B. Foreign Policy

READING: Graber, chap. 11; Norris, chaps. 10 (Dunsmore) and 11 (Livingston)