Race, Politics, and Media
Richard T. Peterson
Department of Philosophy
| Race remains a puzzling and frustrating aspect of American society. Many traditional forms of racism have been eliminated, but racial divisions, inequalities, and antagonisms persist. Though there seems to be no biological basis for racial distinctions, Americans still perceive and identify each other in racial terms. This course will discuss the reality and illusions of race by focusing on two areas of contemporary life: politics and the mass media. How is race treated in politics and the media? Do they help us overcome racism or contribute to it? We will focus on the presidential campaign and contemporary TV as well as read relevant texts in philosophy, history, science, social science, literature, and media studies. |