CAS 175NPersuasion and Propaganda

3 credits · Communication Arts and Sciences · Penn State

Propaganda, in common usage, is a deliberate, systematic attempt to manipulate beliefs and emotions, usually through methods considered deceitful and unethical. Persuasion, on the other hand, is an everyday activity in our personal, social, and civic lives. Persuasion is considered acceptable, even necessary in a free society. This course will explore the distinction historically and theoretically between propaganda and persuasion, with an emphasis on developing the critical skills necessary to distinguish between the two. There are many different definitions of propaganda, and the term often is used to label and discredit political opponents. This course allows students to develop a more precise understanding of propaganda and the techniques of the propagandist. In more practical terms, students will learn to recognize, describe, and evaluate propaganda in all of its various forms and contexts. Toward this end, it includes important cases from the history of propaganda as well as contemporary cases of public advocacy that raise questions about the distinction between persuasion and propaganda.