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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What French sociologist, philosopher, cultural theorist, and photographer is frequently associated with postmodernism and post-structuralism?

2. What book by Walter Lippman does Boorstin discuss in Chapter 5 - Section VI?

3. What major movie studio did Adolf Zukor originate?

4. Who developed an early printing press in 1436?

5. When was Publishers' Weekly first published?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was the impact of Muzak, according to Boorstin?

2. What does Boorstin write of stage and film adaptations in Chapter 4 - Section VI?

3. Why does Boorstin believe the American image is viewed negatively by other nations?

4. What is Boorstin's subject in Chapter 6 - Section IV? How is the effect discussed defined?

5. How does Boorstin compare domestic and foreign issues in Chapter 6 - Section III?

6. What does Boorstin assert are the greatest challenges for America and our relationship to the rest of the world?

7. What does Boorstin write of the evolution of linguistics and the pseudo-event in Chapter 6 - Section III?

8. What shift in the American psyche does Boorstin describe in Chapter 6 - Section I?

9. What does Boorstin believe is responsible for the mass production of art? What effect does this cause?

10. What suggestions does Boorstin give to the American people at the close of the book?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Boorstin define "the leak"? What is its purpose? What example does he give from the 1950s?

Essay Topic 2

Describe and discuss Boorstin's distinction between "folk" and "mass" in the creation and recognition of heroes.

Essay Topic 3

Describe Charles Lindbergh as depicted in the text. How did Lindbergh's fame evolve from heroism to celebrity?

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