Communication & Media   

The late Neil Postman (communications theorist, professor and founder of NYU’s graduate program in media ecology) was decades ahead of his time in predicting the collapse of thoughtful, rational public discourse due to evolving media technologies. By presenting the ideas in Postman’s 1985 (pre-internet) book, “Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business,” the instructor will challenge you to think more deeply about the profound ways in which media technologies have changed the commonly accepted definition of knowledge itself.

Public relations is the only form of marketing where, when it’s done correctly, you aren’t aware of it. This invisible form of persuasion is everywhere, from food marketing to politics. Learn about Edward Bernays, the nephew of Sigmund Freud who is considered “The Father of Spin” for his genius (and notoriety) in crafting ways to manipulate public opinion. We’ll then review many historical and contemporary examples of how you are being influenced without knowing it.