Main Texts
1.) Propaganda: The Formation of Men’s Attitudes — Jacques Ellul
http://www.amazon.com/Propaganda-The-Formation-Mens-Attitudes/dp/0394718747/ref=pd_sim_14_32?ie=UTF8&dpID=417YlDRfqUL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR93%2C160_&refRID=14ZH0NAB2ZC7KY68Y96C
2.) The Image: A Guide to Pseudo-Events in America — Daniel Boorstin
http://www.amazon.com/Image-Guide-Pseudo-Events-America/dp/0679741801/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1458140754&sr=8-1&keywords=Daniel+Boorstin+image
Required Texts
1.) The Father of Spin – Larry Tye
Intent — Biography of one of the most influential Propagandist in the 20th century
http://www.amazon.com/Father-Spin-Edward-Bernays-Relations/dp/0805067892/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1458143784&sr=1-1&keywords=Father+of+spin
2.) Propaganda — Edward Bernays
Intent — The technique and “how to” of how Bernays did Propaganda
http://www.amazon.com/Propaganda-Edward-Bernays/dp/0970312598/ref=pd_sim_14_13?ie=UTF8&dpID=51P65kY5kAL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR102%2C160_&refRID=01DZMMG01QW2S39NM69T
3.) The Crowd — Gustav LaBon
Intent — How the public mind works in the context of large gatherings. How propaganda can manipulate the public mind in the context of large gatherings.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Crowd-Study-Popular-Mind/dp/0486419568/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=1Z80KH2S9C3GBRACXJDX
4.) Rules For Radical — Saul Alinsky
Intent — Alinsky’s propaganda methodology in order to manipulate Organizations and Public Opinion of Organizations. Community Organization 101.
http://www.amazon.com/Rules-Radicals-Practical-Primer-Realistic/dp/0679721134/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1458141021&sr=1-1&keywords=rules+for+radicals
5.) Confrontational Politics — H. L. Richardson
Intent — “How to” book on how to use propaganda in confrontational settings. Gives tips on how to organize with propaganda.
http://www.amazon.com/Confrontational-Politics-Senator-H-L-Richardson/dp/0915463768
6.) The News Twisters — Edith Efron
Intent — Demonstrates the subtle presence and success of Propaganda by the Mainstream media upon the American voting public. Dated book. Still highly relevant.
http://www.amazon.com/news-twisters-Edith-Efron/dp/0840212062/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1458141353&sr=1-4&keywords=edith+efron
7.) Why Johnny Can’t Think — Robert Whitaker
Intent — Demonstrates the bias and propaganda in the University system. Insists that every message received must be received by examining the presuppositions of the person or vehicle sending the message. Begins to give a outline on how to be immune to Propaganda.
http://www.amazon.com/Johnny-Cant-Think-Robert-Whitaker/dp/0972929207/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1458141805&sr=1-1&keywords=Why+Johnny+Can%27t+think
8.) Amusing Ourselves To Death
Intent — Reveals that Americans are a Propagandized people and explains how Television is a propaganda machine. Television makes people immune to Truth and creates a society that requires a constant diet of propaganda.
http://www.amazon.com/Amusing-Ourselves-Death-Discourse-Business/dp/014303653X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1458144103&sr=1-1&keywords=amusing+ourselves+to+death
9.) The Medium is the Massage — Marshal McLuhan
Intent — How the vehicle of the Message affects the Message sent. Propaganda, to be effective, has to be married to the right vehicle.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Medium-Massage-Marshall-McLuhan/dp/1584230703/ref=pd_sim_14_3?ie=UTF8&dpID=51y9DtmSKWL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR92%2C160_&refRID=048PEYTMZ68F9KGW16J1
Note — See the course curriculum offered on Worldview Thinking and Presuppositionalism to provide the answer how one immunizes themselves to propaganda. This course will make you aware of Propaganda but it will not by itself make you immune to Propaganda.
Required Video
1.) The Century of the Self
Intent — 4 hour video that demonstrates the vast and deep role of propaganda in the 20th century. Should be viewed at least twice.
Basic Weekly Assignments:
Unlike previous courses this course insists on the importance of each and every book and the video for a complete understanding of Propaganda. As such each and every book requires Chapter summaries.
A final 30 page paper is required that explains what Propaganda is, how it works, the relation it bears to truth, if any. The paper will also require a demonstration and brief explanation of the techniques of successful Propaganda.
