About the Course

Persuasion and Propaganda

Comic book heroes punching dictators in the face and aircrafts papering the ground with pamphlets—these types of propaganda are easy to recognize, but what about contemporary ones, like bot-generated tweets, mudslinging political ads, misleading advertisements, and fact-distorting TV news reports? Without an objective distance from current events—and with ever subtler techniques for influencing opinions—how can we tell what is “fake news”? This course examines nonfiction sources from political systems around the world to analyze the ways people have swayed others to their points of view. Tracing these efforts throughout history, we will become critical media consumers while learning to identify flawed premises and developing rhetorical strategies necessary to question and dissect conflicting messages. We’ll use these skills to construct and deliver our own persuasive arguments in written compositions, oral presentations, brief films, and public speeches.

Note: Students just completing grade 7 are encouraged to take Creative Nonfiction or Fiction and Poetry before taking this course. This course is intended for students who have completed grade 8 or above.

Typical Class Size: 16

Course Overview

This course is

ungraded.

Summer Dates & Locations

Registration deadline:

After May 2, 2025, registration is available upon request pending eligibility and seat availability. To request placement, email [email protected] after submitting a program application.

Session One

Image of The Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, Maryland
-
Residential cost: $7,501
Commuter cost: $6,701
Enroll
Image of the University of California Santa Cruz campus
UC-Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, California
-
Residential cost: $7,501
Commuter cost: $6,701
Enroll
image of the Skidmore College campus
Skidmore College
Saratoga Springs, New York
-
Residential cost: $7,259
Commuter cost: $6,459
Enroll

Session Two

Image of The Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, Maryland
-
Residential cost: $7,501
Commuter cost: $6,701
Enroll

Testing and Prerequisites

  Math Verbal
Required Level Not required Advanced CTY-Level
Check your eligibility using existing test scores If you do not have existing test scores:

Students must achieve qualifying scores on an advanced assessment to be eligible for CTY programs. If you don’t have qualifying scores, you have several different testing options. We’ll help you find the right option for your situation.

Sign up for Testing Learn More

Cost and Financial Aid

  • Tuition
    • Varies
  • Application fee
    • Nonrefundable Application Fee - $55 (Waived for financial aid applicants)
    • Nonrefundable International Fee - $250 (outside US only)

We have concluded our financial aid application review process for 2025 On-Campus Programs. We encourage those who may need assistance in the future to apply for aid as early as possible. We are committed to serving all talented youth regardless of financial circumstances. Financial assistance is available based on need.

Learn More

Course Materials

Students should bring basic school supplies like pens, notebooks, and folders to their summer program. You will be notified of any additional items needed before the course begins. All other materials will be provided by CTY.
 

Sample Reading

These titles have been featured in past sessions of the course, and may be included this summer. CTY provides students with all texts; no purchase is required.

  • Propaganda and Persuasion, Garth S. Jowett and Victoria O’Donnell
  • Techniques of Propaganda and Persuasion, Magedah E. Shabo

Technical Requirements

Students must bring a tablet with a keyboard, laptop computer, or Chromebook for use during the session. A smartphone will not be sufficient.

About Language Arts at CTY

Explore storytelling

Want to have fun reading popular stories and writing your own tales of adventure? Pen your hero's journey and explore a diverse range of books in Behind the Mask: Superheroes Revealed, or have fun shaping your prose and experimenting with different formats and styles in Fiction and Poetry.

Find your voice

Take your writing to the next level! In Writing and Imagination, you can build your vocabulary and gain the tools to write your own creative fiction. You'll learn to craft compelling narratives about your own experiences in Crafting the Essay, and have fun learning new literary devices and figurative language in Writing Your World.

Meet our instructors and staff