History of Conservative Talk Radio, Media, and U.S. Politics ((4 Credits))

Catalog description

The course will examine how conservative media has developed over the past three decades in the U.S., with a focus on talk radio. Students will analyze the type of rhetoric employed, in particular that relating to race, ethnicity, culture, religion, national identity, and immigration, as well as demographic change more broadly. They will study how this rhetoric has affected political campaigns and elected officials, as well how it has affected the way the broader media covers related issues. Students will explore the relationship between the conservative media, talk radio in particular, and individual conservative politicians as well as the Republican Party as an institution. Students will gain an understanding of how recent trends in conservative politics, in particular as it relates to what some have termed white identity politics or white racial anxiety, have been influenced by the issues driven by talk radio. An introductory level course in recent U.S. history and/or politics is strongly recommended