Since the early twentieth century, artists have participated in political movements to disseminate particular messages to the masses in China. Whether through modern interpretations of traditional woodblock prints, or through photography and film, artists have played a pivotal role in shaping and shifting the Chinese political landscape. In this class, we will analyze and conduct research on propagandistic artworks in these varied mediums. Students will also get the opportunity to study works from the Tompkins-Cushing China Posters Collection from the East Asian Library on campus. Major
questions addressed throughout the course include: What is propaganda? What are the elements necessary for impactful propaganda works? How are specific messages relayed by and translated across different mediums? What means does the target audience utilize to resist propaganda messages?

As the second half of the Reading and Composition requirement, this course aims to provide students with the support to write a 10-12 page research paper. Students should also expect to complete several drafts of the paper, an annotated bibliography, and a short presentation.