Epidemics, the Media, and Collective Memory with Katie Foss
Episode 36 - November 15, 2020
Katie Foss (Middle Tennessee State University) talks to Merle and Lee about her recently published book on epidemics in the media and collective memory in U.S. history from the early 18th century to the mid-20th century. Katie discusses the changes in media technology and how this shifted the coverage of epidemics across these two centuries. She then turns to how the media plays a key role in shaping narratives along with governments and academic research. The conversation also discusses the media’s role in shaping long-term memories of epidemics and diseases. Finally, Katie discusses what it was like to finish a book on epidemics during the Covid pandemic.
Further Reading
- K. Foss, Constructing the Outbreak: Epidemics in Media and Collective Memory. University of Massachusetts Press, 2020.
- K. Foss, “How epidemics of the past changed the way Americans lived.” Smithsonian Magazine. (April 1, 2020).
- David Mindich, "Trump’s campaign against Fauci ignores the proven path for defeating pandemics," The Washington Post. (July 22, 2020).
- Melissa Badamo, "Fact Check: Black nurses helped save Philadelphia during a 1793 yellow fever epidemic," USA Today, (July 21, 2020).
Our Guest
Katie Foss,
Professor of Journalism and Strategic Media, Middle Tennessee State University.
