Course Overview
The course, which runs for eight weeks with two sessions per week, will be open to all UIUC students, both journalism and non-journalism majors.
The course description further states: "As a candidate, Trump employed the most common propaganda techniques, including insults, belittling, slander, and attacks on his rivals."
Learning Outcomes
Above all, this course aims to enable students to distinguish propaganda from facts, identify the characteristics of any propaganda techniques—including those used by the president—and have the ability to challenge and question them.
The course was offered for a reason.
US President Trump's "war" with the media is nothing new, but this drama of love and hate is indeed more thrilling than any TV series—no wonder UIUC wants to offer a course to savor it.
Trump's "War" with the Media
Here are some of Trump's classic quotes about the US media.
Dishonest media, disgusting news!
You can stay if you want, or you can leave—remember, that's the freedom of the press.
They are the enemy of the people. I won't take them out, but I hate them. Some are truly pathological liars, disgusting!
The most dishonest people in the world are behind you. Just look at those cameras.
Trump frequently criticizes mainstream media for reporting fake news, even calling the press the "enemy of the people," which has drawn ire from the US mainstream media.
In August this year, over 350 news organizations across the nation jointly pushed back against Trump; on the same day, the Senate passed a resolution supporting the media and defending press freedom, delivering a sharp rebuke to Trump.
And what was Trump's counterattack? Of course, tweeting!
Trump Sent Me a Text? People Are Freaked Out!
In addition to his prolific tweeting, Trump recently made another startling move.
Two weeks ago, most Americans received a so-called "Presidential Alert" from Trump, with the message: "This is a test of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed."
The system is used to issue emergency alerts to the public about dangerous weather or missing children, and users cannot opt out of receiving these messages. Given the president's prolific tweeting habits, many Americans find it unsettling that Trump controls the national wireless alert system.
Presidents and the Media Through History
Clinton, known for his scandals, often got grilled by reporters; the charming Kennedy was adept at handling the press; but none communicated with the media better than Reagan, dubbed "the Great Communicator," whom Trump also takes as a role model.
In the 1960s, US media prided itself on objective and fair reporting, digging for truth, and treating all candidates equally.
After 1991, with the rise of cable TV and the spread of internet technology, media outlets resorted to any means to stand out. News gradually became more entertainment-driven, media credibility began to erode, and journalists' reputations declined. The audience for the three major networks shrank to less than half of their former levels.
Although the mainstream media used every ounce of their power to prevent Trump from winning, he successfully leveraged social media to win the election.
This proves that the influence of social media in today's society far exceeds expectations. Trump's clever use of social media dealt a significant blow to the American mainstream media.
So how should we analyze Trump's political propaganda strategies? UIUC students who are interested might want to check out the university's "Trumpaganda" course!
