There’s a new course coming to the U of I this fall: Trumpaganda.
This Journalism 460 course, fully titled “Trumpaganda: The war on facts, press and democracy” examines the “Trump administration’s disinformation campaign, its “running war” with the mainstream news media, and their implications for American democracy and a free press.”
The course is available starting October 22, and it has been picked up by national media, including Politico. Read the full course description:
JOUR 460
Trumpaganda: The war on facts, press and democracy – This course examines the Trump administration’s disinformation campaign, its “running war” with the mainstream news media, and their implications for American democracy and a free press. As a candidate, Trump employed the most common propaganda device, name-calling, to define, degrade, discredit and destroy his primary opponents as well as the “fake” news media. By the second year in his presidency, President Trump’s rhetorical attacks on mainstream media continue—he has labeled them the “enemy of the people”—and not only dominate his tweets but also are a centerpiece of his every press conference and public statement. Previous American administrations have had a contentious relationship with the news media, but the Trump administration’s conflict with the press is different in strategies and tactics, challenging Americans’ tendency to think of propaganda as something that doesn’t happen in democratic societies.
Top image is a screenshot from Trump Draws: The National/YouTube, Remix by Jason Reed
