PSCI 304: The News Media and American Politics

Professor Elliott

How is American democracy shaped by the constantly evolving relationships among politicians, journalists, and citizens? What is news? How do journalists define their job? Is the news more a medium which allows politicians to manipulate the public, or is it the media that shapes public opinion? Or is it possible that the audience influences the news as much as it is influenced by it? The conflict between the media and the government is analyzed in terms of the constitutional rights of a free press and a political battle between an adversarial or biased press and a government of manipulating politicians. Current news serves as a testing ground for the ideas advanced by scholars, journalists, and politicians. This course can be used to complete the requirement in American politics for political science majors. Prerequisite: sophomore standing. Offered every year.