CMST 212 - Persuasion and Propaganda

Credits: 5
An exploration of the art and science of persuasion and propaganda campaigns through the analysis of a series of historical case studies and social movements. Explores how the historical, political, and cultural factors in a situation influence the strategies and tactics that might be employed in a situation. Relates rhetorical choices to ethical considerations and to the long-term impact on a community.

Prerequisite: Eligible for ENGL 099 or instructor’s permission.

Satisfies Requirement: Humanities/Fine Arts/English

Course Outcomes:
Students who successfully complete this class will be able to:

Determine the differences between persuasion and propaganda.
Critique rhetorical techniques of persuasion.
Define persuasion in terms of communication theory.
Assess the ethics, politics, and cultural influences on the construction and effectiveness of propaganda and persuasive messages.
Discuss the principles of audience adaptation to the potential effectiveness of a persuasive message.
Summarize the historical evolution of propaganda.
Analyze the effectiveness of rhetoric used in a persuasive campaign.

Program Outcomes

Create messages appropriate to the audience, purpose, and context.
Use, synthesize, or produce needed information ethically.
Form, analyze, and assess beliefs while demonstrating intellectual humility and respect towards the beliefs of others.

College-wide Outcomes

Critical Thinking - Critical thinking finds expression in all disciplines and everyday life. It is characterized by an ability to reflect upon thinking patterns, including the role of emotions on thoughts, and to rigorously assess the quality of thought through its work products. Critical thinkers routinely evaluate thinking processes and alter them, as necessary, to facilitate an improvement in their thinking and potentially foster certain dispositions or intellectual traits over time.

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