History of Advertising

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

From the dawn of the 20th century advertising has shaped images, recorded events, and created a sense of what it meant to be an American. More than just a thriving industry, advertising is fundamental to the way Americans communicate with each other and perceive themselves. This course examines the many roles that advertising has played and continues to play in commerce, politics, culture, and society. From P.T. Barnum to Apple, this class will examine ads as texts, considering their formation, consumption, and regulation across a variety of media.