The state of affairs of fictional political women : a critical rhetorical analysis of the television series Madam Secretary
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Authors
Russell, Zoe Corinne
Advisor
McCauliff, Kristen L.
Issue Date
2016-05-07
Keyword
Degree
Thesis (M.A.)
Department
Department of Communication Studies
Other Identifiers
CardCat URL
Abstract
This thesis examines the political drama “Madam Secretary.” I analyze the series from a critical rhetorical perspective, looking at how the series portrayed leadership, and how the lead character, Elisabeth McCord, negotiated her public and private life. Through this analysis, I argue that “Madam Secretary” presents a new model for a fictional political woman, as it meshes the public and private spheres, and privileges maternal thinking as a foreign policy strategy.