The course examines specific instances of visual political discourse across a range of historic periods, cultural contexts, political positions, and media. Although a significant portion of the historic part of the course focuses on works of art and architecture, the course also examines popular print culture and political use of mass media from film to television and internet. Some of the themes covered in the course are: symbols and symbolism of political power, imagery of specific political values, emotional appeal, political propaganda, politics of gender and race, and visual strategies of political opposition and resistance.