ICSM Communicating like The Simpsons: Understanding Springfield, Ithaca and the World

This guide supports the following seminar:

This course investigates the rhetorical dimensions of the longest-running sitcom in America, The Simpsons. Specifically, in this course students learn the ways in which signs and symbols influence us through a process called rhetoric. To this end, students or ‘Simpsonologists’ examine various episodes of the show to better understand the rhetorical processes by which the writers of the show seek to shape human thought and behavior. Consequently, the writers of The Simpsons aim to create alternative communicative practices in our society. Moreover, we pay special attention to the rhetoric of Simpsonology, that is, the way the Simpsons functions as both rhetoric and satire i.e., how it serves as corrective comedy to issues such as consumerism, nationality, sexuality, inequality, difference and political dysfunction.  (photo: from Hulu)

Library Session Learning Objectives:

1. ​Identify and combine keywords for a research topic  (group brainstorm)
2. Find background information for context.
3. Distinguish between the search scopes of the Library Search to find appropriate books and articles (Library Search exercise).
   Search an alternate database: EBSCO Research Library