FSEM1020-04.FSEM writing intensv: Election.F16.Hudson,David

The idea of a media-saturated environment, where Americans learn most of what they know (or think they know) about candidates and elections from the media, has been with us for some time. But shifts in the media landscape in the past few years have made even the last general election look out of date. Twitter and other social media, and the steady fragmentation of audiences, have all affected the way we get the information we need to choose those who govern us. Media convergence and media divergence have exacerbated splits among demographic groups. Candidates and their supporters, at least some of them, have become more sophisticated in manipulating media coverage. This year, particularly, we have seen assumptions about how media influence elections challenged, and in some cases exploded. Our class will use the upcoming election as a platform to study the way politics and elections are covered, and how that is changing. We will attend political events and analyze news reports, we will research and evaluate campaign advertising, and we will launch a blog of our own and become part of the media ourselves. This Writing Intensive seminar is intended to allow you to develop and demonstrate your mastery of the first year writing competencies. Plan on readings in and on the media, writing four to five papers, and participating in election activities on and off campus. Because this is a writing-intensive FYSem, you do not need to register for English 1110