Statement of Purpose

My name is Eric Drummond Smith and I am a political science professor at a small, liberal arts college in Appalachia, the University of Virginia's College at Wise.  I specialize in international relations and comparative politics, but my master's thesis was about, and one of my not-so-secret interests is, propaganda.  Sometime in the next year I hope to begin teaching a special topics class (that may become an honors course) on this subject and, well, it is tougher to put together than I might have thought.  Thus I am making this blog, as much as anything else, to help me organize my thoughts both on the readings and on media I hope to use as examples.  And now, on with the show.