COM400.1 : Eye on America: British Mass Media and U.S. Politics
Description:
British viewers and readers cannot get enough of American politics with television and the print media reporting every move by the President and events on the Hill too. This keen interest is due, in part, to the so-called ‘Special Relationship’ between the two countries, which continues to exercise the minds of British politicians and therefore journalists. Then, of course, as the world’s single remaining superpower, decisions made in the White House and the Congress have a direct impact on British foreign policy as well as on its economy. For these reasons and more, studying national American politics in London and from a British perspective offers students a unique opportunity to explore a range of differences between what they know of the United States as Americans and how their country, Americanism and, most particularly, its political and media culture is perceived and understood in the United Kingdom. The course will begin with an introduction to broadcasting and the print media in the U. K., focusing particularly on the ways in which ‘news’ is constructed and consumed in Britain. The course will then explore how the British mass media covers events surrounding President Obama, the current financial crisis and domestic issues as viewed from abroad. The class will include regular guest speakers providing students with an opportunity to question distinguished British practitioners closely about their work and the way in which they report on the U.S. Although intended for students of mass communications, this course should also appeal to those studying political science and anyone with a general interest in the interface between politics and the media.
Available Locations:
England
Semester(s) Offered:
Offered: Spring, Fall
Credits:
3
Department:
Communications
