What can we learn from 'Wicked' about Propaganda?The musical turned-movie ‘Wicked’ was so Popular, it took the world by storm. Almost like a tornado. One of the major themes within the Book/Musical/Movie is propaganda, which sparked interest in this episode of How Did You Get That? Podcast. In this episode, we explore what propaganda is and the difference between it and persuasion while also discussing how ‘Wicked’ can teach us how to think critically about it. More importantly, how to identify propaganda and what you can do to defy the gravity of it. Such as asking yourself, "what is this feeling?" when you encounter propaganda. You shouldn't just be dancing through life, but you also need to be active and engage critically with information.Media Sources:• Baum, L. F. (1990). The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. George M. Hill Company. • Chu, J. M. (Director). (2024). Wicked [Film]. Universal Pictures; Marc Platt Productions.• Maguire, G. (1995). Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. Regan Books.[Heavilybrokn]. (n.d.). R/wicked on reddit: All of this wicked merch coming out... and this is all I’ve really wanted since the leaks from last year! I hope they either release it officially or someone on etsy or something makes it. I’ll buy it so quickly!! https://www.reddit.com/r/wicked/comments/1g2m8sh/all_of_this_wicked_merch_coming_out_and_this_is/ [lovemelikeyoul. (2025). R/wicked on reddit: Wicked Witch propaganda posters from the Roblox game. Reddit. https://www.reddit.com/r/wicked/comments/1hq0d2m/wicked_witch propaganda_posters_ from the robl ox/ He's watching you. Digital Collections -Northwestern University Libraries. (n.d.). https://dc.library.northwestern.edu/items/b1f17878-0a3b-491f-b742-1bdedd770492Sources:• Bauer, M., Cahlíková, J., Chytilová, J., Roland, G., & Želinský, T. (2023). Shifting punishment onto minorities: Experimental evidence of scapegoating. The Economic Journal, 133(652), 1626–1640. https://doi.org/10.1093/ej/uead005 • Bernays, E. (1928). Propaganda. New York: H. Liveright.• Biddle, W. W. (1931). A psychological definition of propaganda. The Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 26(3), 283–295. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0074944• Brotherton, R. (2016). Suspicious minds: Why we believe conspiracy theories. Bloomsbury.• Burger, A. (2009) From 'The Wizard of Oz' to 'Wicked': Trajectory of American myth. American Culture Studies Ph.D. Dissertations. 31. Bowling Green State University. Retrieved from https://scholarworks.bgsu.edu/acs_diss/31/• Cote, D. (2005) Wicked: The Grimmerie (A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Hit Broadway Musical). Principal Photography Joan Marcus. Headcase Design. New York: Hyperion.• Hobbs, R. (2020). Mind Over Media. Norton.• Hobbs, R., & McGee, S. (2014). Teaching about propaganda: An examination of the historical roots of Media Literacy. Journal of Media Literacy Education, 6(2). https://doi.org/10.23860/jmle-6-2-5 • Jowett, G., & O’Donnell, V. (2012). Propaganda & Persuasion. SAGE. • Miller, C. R. & Edwards, V. (1936, October). The intelligent teacher’s guide through campaign propaganda. The Clearing House, 11(2), 69-77.• Power & Propaganda. Wicked The Musical. (2021, August 18). https://wickedthemusical.com/linguification-library/power-and-propaganda/ Sawyer, K. R. (2022). The Scapegoats.• The NewYork Public Library. (2013). Institute for Propaganda Analysis records. New York Public Library Archives & Manuscripts. Retrieved Jan. 14, 2014, from: http://archives.nypl.org/mss/1513#acquisition_processing#medialiteracy #education #podcast #Wicked
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