POL 335 Celebrity and Politics
This course considers how celebrities – persons who are well known for their artistic, athletic or other endeavors - operate in political life. Following an introduction to the concept of celebrity and its emergence in politics, students examine how elected officials mobilize various techniques of celebrity (e.g. using social media) to capture public attention and shape laws and policies. The course then considers the presence and impact of entertainment, sports, and other celebrities in various issue areas, including but not limited to feminist, environmental, humanitarian, and racial justice politics.