What is "fake" news and how has it developed historically? To understand this phenomenon, this course explores the history of advertising, market research, public relations, and propaganda in global perspective. We consider how these persuasion industries emerged, how they operated in different places and time periods to shape politics, policies, and public opinion. We also consider how these industries influence our identities and understandings of race, class, and gender, age and ideas about sexuality and the body. Finally, we pay attention to the changing influence of the modern media and the major critics who have worried about its power to manipulate the public.
4
UnitsLetter
Grading1, 2, 3
PasstimeUpper division only
Level LimitLetters and science
CollegeClass is largely two essays (50%) and final (20%). She's pretty chill and there's EC. I hardly went to class but did well thanks to TA. The final is a bit annoying as you have to prep ~10 possible prompts (with quotes as evidence) on your cheat sheet but it's more busywork than hard. IDs on test are not bad at all. Read the books btw.
Even though Rappaport is very nice, caring, & accommodating, the final exam is absolutely ridiculous for this class especially being that it is a lower-div/GE requirement. The "study guide" given lists sixteen essay prompts from 10+ sources and expects you to be knowledgable on HUNDREDS of topics/sources for the "ID section". Extremely frustrating.
I never attended lecture yet I got an A on all hw assignments and on both papers. She is heavy on assignments but it's not bad at all. My ta Victoria Sharp however was terrible. She held no compassion and would constantly push her political beliefs onto the class during the section. Overall good class but if Victoria Sharp is ever your ta SWITCH
Even though Prof Rappaport is nice, there are two papers weighted 50% of your total grade. The final exam is worth 20% and she gives you around 16 possible essay prompts plus IDs that she gives no possible options for. Very hard to study for given that she references the textbook which has around 200 possible ID terms not even counting lectures.
Prof Rappaport is such a nice lady and very knowledgeable! The class was structured well, essays were reasonable, and she gave up to 6 extra credit points added to the final. If you don't like history you probably won't like the course but as a history major she is awesome! She will help you succeed in the course, and the TAs were nice.
good prof but rambles during lecture on things that don't matter, then goes super fast on material needed for papers. There are 2 essays & a final, essays grades just depend on TA. Easy class, can get away with not going to lecture but it is helpful since the slides she posts usually don't have much actual info on them.
Katie Moore
4.0
Jarett Henderson
3.6