Abstract

 The role of popular culture in civic education is important. Many television viewers learn about the American political process through various dramatized depictions. The 25th Amendment has often received much attention from Hollywood, as it provides writers, directors, and producers a tool with which to further dramatize presidential succession. Through the television shows West Wing, Designated Survivor, Commander in Chief, Madam Secretary, and Political Animals, viewers are exposed to storylines revolving around the 25th Amendment. By viewing these dramatized versions of presidential succession, viewers are better able to understand the process and political science instructors are better able to elucidate the process in the classroom. 

Keywords: Presidential Succession, 25^th Amendment, Popular Culture, West Wing, Designated Survivor, Commander in Chief, Political Animals, Madam Secretary 

Author Bio

Jay Wendland is Assistant professor of Political Science at Daemen College. He is the author of the book Campaigns That Matter (Lexington Press), which analyzes the role of campaign visits in presidential nominating contests along with several articles that have appeared in The Journal of Political Marketing, Electoral Studies, and The Forum. His teaching interests include American politics, campaigns and elections, public opinion, politics and the media, and politics and popular culture. He is currently working on a book-length project analyzing the representativeness of presidential nominating contests. More information regarding his research and teaching interests can be found at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-wendland-a63a16165/.

Suggested Citation

APA

Wendland, J. (2020). A Heartbeat Away: Popular Culture’s Role in Teaching Presidential Succession. Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy, 7(3). http://journaldialogue.org/issues/v7-issue-3/a-heartbeat-away-popular-cultures-role-in-teaching-presidential-succession/.

MLA

Wendland, Jay. A Heartbeat Away: Popular Culture’s Role in Teaching Presidential Succession. Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy, vol. 7, no. 3, 2020. http://journaldialogue.org/issues/v7-issue-3/a-heartbeat-away-popular-cultures-role-in-teaching-presidential-succession/