The Politics of, in, and around Popular Media Culture Two ways of looking at politics of media content: 1.Persuasion  Propaganda  Overt attempts to shape public opinion  Or divert us from "real" political issues  Stresses the source and what the source says LEFT: “MASS CULT” RIGHT: “LIBERAL MEDIA”

2. Articulation Articulate: to express and connect the process of connecting “pieces” into coherent “whole” Done both by source and reader “Pieces” such as: Words, Beliefs, Feelings, Facts, Opinions Into a “Whole” such as An explanation An identity

For Reader: Must look to variety of texts individuals use, consume Stresses making connections not just within a text, but between texts and context Formation of identity more important than formation of a single text Helps explain how people of different political tendencies respond differently (or similarly) to the same texts.

Screenings: The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Chelsea Lately How is political content or discussion articulated within each show? What seem to be the most important pieces of the puzzle? What about how the show or the different elements of the show do you think influences how it makes sense to you? For example, consider the different styles of the hosts, or the different types of material discussed.