Staci L. Beavers a1 a1 California State University, San Marcos
Abstract
For those who study and teach politics or history for a living, The
West
Wing unsheathes a double-edged sword. A great strength of the series is its ability to put a human face on engaging political discussions, demonstrating that politics can be accessible and enjoyable. However, this fictional White House also presents potential dangers. The purpose of The
West
Wing is to entertain rather than to educate, and the program deliberately plays the emotions of viewers through such techniques as background music and sophisticated camera work.
Footnotes
001 An earlier version of this paper was presented at the American Presidency on Film Conference, Los Angeles, November 2000.
