Communications and Media

Description

Three prompt options: choose one (1)

Rulership, governance, and state power: the introduction of print changed

how rulers and governments conducted their business, in ways both subtle and

obvious. Compose an argument explaining how a specific aspect of governance

or rulership changed as a result of print. You may address any feature or field

typically associated with governance, including public relations, taxation, the

administration of justice, diplomacy, war, colonial expansion, censorship,

regulation, propaganda, and (a perennial favorite) the self-promotion of rulers.

Political, religious, or cultural activism: though print enhanced the capacities

of governments to administer and control populations, it also expanded

opportunities for mobilization and action to many groups and individuals

outside the halls of power. Compose an argument explaining how print

enabled a person, organization, or social group to assert themselves politically,

religiously, or culturally. You may address the activities of historical agents

seeking to attract like-minded supporters, organize new institutions, convey

messages critical of ruling elites, combat encroaching government power, or

legitimize a moral position.

Science, exploration, and knowledge: print arrived concurrently with

revolutions in the fields of knowledge and information gathering. Compose an

argument explaining how printing influenced the activities of scholars,

scientists, and explorers in a specific field of science or knowledge. You may consider how these historical agents gathered, recorded, organized, shared, compared, complied, synthesized, published, and read about information.

Further details go see the essay prompt in files.