USSY 260 - Divisiveness or Dialogue: How We Deal with Difference

Institution:

Case Western Reserve University

Subject:

Description:

Students in this seminar will explore how the language and images that shape our national discourse contribute to the increasing polarization of American society. What techniques do partisan media manipulators, including politicians, political pundits, bloggers, documentary film makers and televangelists use to shape the perceptions of their audience to reflect an "us vs. them," "good vs. evil" worldview? Students will also learn how individuals like Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy used language and imagery to draw us together, and we will explore and practice the use of dialogue as a method of non-polarizing communication in discussions of contemporary issues. The primary reading will be "The Argument Culture," by Deborah Tannen, a well-known, linguist, and this will be supplemented with articles on dialogue and social psychology. In addition to these readings, the class will view samplings of recent documentaries, political speeches, print and television punditry. Students will be asked to write several papers designed to help them identify polarizing language and see through its manipulation. Prereq: Passing letter grade in a 100 level first year seminar in USFS, FSSY, FSCC, FSNA, FSSO or FSCS. Prereq or Coreq: FSTS 100

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.case.edu

Phone Number:

(216) 368-2000

Regional Accreditation:

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

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