Social Studies - "Propaganda & Persuasion - From WWII to Right Now"

Decoding the Mechanics of Influence

Social Studies returns to Barnett’s Whiskey House for an evening dedicated to the history and evolution of persuasion. Featuring Dr. Leslie Hahner, a Baylor University professor and expert in visual rhetoric, this session examines how images, headlines, and algorithms shape public opinion. Dr. Hahner’s research has been featured in major outlets including the BBC and The Atlantic, and she specializes in identifying the subtle forces that move ordinary people without their realization. This is an opportunity to move beyond passive consumption and gain a disciplined understanding of how information is crafted and deployed in the modern world.

From WWII Posters to Modern Algorithms

The lecture tracks the trajectory of propaganda from the analog era of the mid-twentieth century to the digital landscape of the present day. Guests will explore the mechanical similarities between Cold War messaging and the AI-generated content and memes that define today’s…