produce some sample of current propaganda and analyze it

**Guide to the Essay** One essay, of about 3,000 words, will be required. In the essay you should produce some sample of current propaganda and analyze it, giving reasons for viewing the material as propaganda, discussing its likely or intended impact on the recipient, and commenting on the ethics of using such a form of appeal. By "current" is meant anything subsequent to March 1, 2006. You should hand in, along with the essay, a dossier of the materials discussed (e.g. photocopies of news stories or commentaries, press releases, audiotapes, videotapes, downloaded materials from the Internet, etc.). It is very important to present these in an orderly, easly retrievable format. A large, at least 11"x14," scrapbook may be advisable if you are working with newspaper clippings. **Suggested Topics. **It is not difficult to see that the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush would like more Canadian troops actively involved in Afghanistan, and it would also appear that Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper is happy to oblige. But there is a battle here for Canadian opinion. See for example the lead letter in the Globe and Mail May 16 by Gerald Caplan. Some feel aggressive action against the Taliban may be counter-productive. Watch the French language press in Canada. Its scepticism about the reasons offered by the Bush administration for going into Iraq turned out to have been well justified. Another interesting topic could be the Nova Scotia election called for the latter part of June. ## Deliverables **Guide to the Essay** One essay, of about 3,000 words, will be required. In the essay you should produce some sample of current propaganda and analyze it, giving reasons for viewing the material as propaganda, discussing its likely or intended impact on the recipient, and commenting on the ethics of using such a form of appeal. By "current" is meant anything subsequent to March 1, 2006. You should hand in, along with their essay, a dossier of the materials discussed (e.g. photocopies of news stories or commentaries, press releases, audiotapes, videotapes, downloaded materials from the Internet, etc.). It is very important to present these in an orderly, easly retrievable format. A large, at least 11"x14," scrapbook may be advisable if you are working with newspaper clippings. **Suggested Topics. **It is not difficult to see that the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush would like more Canadian troops actively involved in Afghanistan, and it would also appear that Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper is happy to oblige. But there is a battle here for Canadian opinion. See for example the lead letter in the Globe and Mail May 16 by Gerald Caplan. Some feel aggressive action against the Taliban may be counter-productive. Watch the French language press in Canada. Its scepticism about the reasons offered by the Bush administration for going into Iraq turned out to have been well justified. Another interesting topic could be the Nova Scotia election called for the latter part of June. **Other Topics** (1) Some seasoned observers, such as Seymour Hersh, believe the Bush administration is preparing the way for an attack on Iran. The media should be watched to see whether they (the media) are compliant or critical concerning such efforts. (2) The Liberal leadership race is under way, and Michael Ignatieff is one of the main contenders. His pro-Iraq war stance is an issue. Following the different supporting and detracting things said by and about him could yield a good essay. Here are some other suggestions for other possible topics: (3) The issue of global warming and the fate of the Kyoto accords, which has become more central since George W. Bush’s presidency and Stephen Harper's prime ministership. (4) Canadian federalism vs. Quebec separatism. The appointment of the current Governor-General caused a stir. Watch for different ways in which incidents, such as enforcement of Quebec's language law, get reported in media (French and English) with different commitments or sympathies. A sharp line between information and propaganda is not always easy to draw. (5) With a federal minority government, propaganda should be in full swing whether or not an election is actually forced. (6) There is a lively fight for public opinion in the matter of genetically engineered (GE) or modified foods or organisms (GM, GMO), dubbed "frankenfoods" by critics. Monsanto is a key player in this battle. (7) The war concerning tobacco controls is always a worthy topic. . The tobacco industry has sponsored the web site "mychoice" hoping to encourage pro-tobacco freedom blogging.(8) The Senate Transport and Communications Committee has continued to hold hearings on the media this year. How the media react to (or ignore) testimony is a possible essay topic. (9) If plans develop to develop an "O" train track through the Arboretum there will likely be an outcry. Sorting truth from propaganda could be interesting here. Some topics, in addition to those mentioned, are regular sources for good essays. Watch in case any of these comes to the fore. These include abortion, animal rights, oil supplies and the likely "peak" date, nuclear power (with overlapping concerns about nuclear weaponry and arms sales), “political correctness,?? ecological concerns, sports subsidies, gun control, conflicts in Central America, and strife in the former and continuing Yugoslavia. The rights of various groups in society may come into conflict with business or other interests. These rights may be in connection with employer/employee relations, language, religion, or property; they may relate to women, aboriginal people, gays, particular age groups, etc. The rhetoric of deficit reduction, cost-cutting and job creation needs to be watched carefully for consistency. Violation of prime agricultural land might be supported in the name of job creation, yet jobs may be made to seem less important when government services are reduced in the name of cost-cutting and deficit reduction. When a particularly striking instance of alleged rights-violation captures press attention, various opposed interest groups tend to speak out in relation to the case, and a fertile field for propaganda analysis may develop. The topic of marijuana control would be good except that there is so much available on the internet that a higher than usual standard will be set for any such essays; the challenge will be to deal with something current and with some originality, and it may be better to choose a different topic than that of marijuana. ## Platform **Guide to the Essay** One essay, of about 3,000 words, will be required. In the essay you should produce some sample of current propaganda and analyze it, giving reasons for viewing the material as propaganda, discussing its likely or intended impact on the recipient, and commenting on the ethics of using such a form of appeal. By "current" is meant anything subsequent to March 1, 2006. You should hand in, along with the essay, a dossier of the materials discussed (e.g. photocopies of news stories or commentaries, press releases, audiotapes, videotapes, downloaded materials from the Internet, etc.). It is very important to present these in an orderly, easly retrievable format. A large, at least 11"x14," scrapbook may be advisable if you are working with newspaper clippings.