ANTH 251 - Language and Power

Semester Offered: Fall
1 unit(s)

(Same as MEDS 251) How can the study of language and its use enhance our understanding of power and political action? This course explores how language is essential for the distribution and exercise of power through the discussion of readings that focus on language, mass media, and the public sphere. Readings on political campaigns examine the impact of poetics, framing, metaphor on social movements, political influence, and public opinion. Readings on the speech of politicians, activists, and pundits examine the use of language for the performance of (in)civility, as well as the covert mobilization of class, racial, gender, and ethnic stereotypes for political gain. Finally, readings on public relations campaigns, populist discourse, and democracy promotion campaigns in post-colonial settings explore the role of language in affirming or contesting liberal and secular ideals of democracy. Students apply methodological and theoretical tools of linguistic anthropology to analyze the poetic features and the political effects of real-world examples of satire, scandal, and political oratory. Louis Romer.

Two 75-minute periods.

Course Format: CLS