9/11, the War on Terror, and the Sociology of Mass Media

Explores the cultural and political impact of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, with particular emphasis on the media's role in constructing meanings in the wake of the tragedy. The readings within this anthology tell the story of how 9/11 was ""created"" - that is, how the story of the event was told, and how it was not told.

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9/11, the War on Terror, and the Sociology of Mass Media explores the cultural and political impact of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, with particular emphasis on the media’s role in constructing meanings in the wake of the tragedy. The carefully selected readings within this anthology tell the story of how 9/11 was “created”—that is, how the story of the event was told, and how it was not told. In providing students with a comprehensive overview of the various narratives constructed in the aftermath of a defining moment in U.S. history, the book sheds light on how government and media can shape stories, and how those stories contribute to our social reality.

The book begins with a selection of articles and chapters that offer students a thorough explanation of the attacks themselves, as well as the effects they had on politics and other official publics. The readings in Part 2 of the text explore society’s reaction to 9/11 and the wars it produced, with emphasis on the response of popular culture. Part 3 provides an understanding of the social and historical reasons as to why the attacks happened, both from the perspective of U.S. foreign policy and the terrorists who enacted the attack. The anthology closes with a section that takes a look at the lasting effects of the attacks, exploring cultural impact and the changing landscape of terrorist threats.

By encouraging students to rationally explore and ask questions about an event that many feel they’ve been unable to examine critically before, 9/11, the War on Terror, and the Sociology of Mass Media allows them to exercise their citizenship, nationally and globally. This anthology is well suited for intermediate courses in the sociology of mass media and mass communication, as well as courses in terrorism and cultural sociology.