Dr. J. Michael Bitzer, an associate professor of political science at Catawba College, had no idea that the textbook to which he recently contributed a chapter would be selected as the best textbook/primer in popular and American culture in 2008.
The book, "Homer Simpson Goes to Washington: American Politics through Popular Culture," was edited by Joseph J. Foy and published in 2008. The Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association recently selected it for the John G. Cawelti Award for the Best Textbook/Primer in Popular and American Culture in 2008.
Bitzer's chapter, "Political Culture and Public Opinion: The American Dream on Springfield's Evergreen Terrace," uses The Simpsons to explain public opinion, political culture, and the American Dream.
A frequent commentator on Southern politics and campaigns and elections, Bitzer joined the Catawba College faculty in 2002. He holds a bachelor of arts degree in English from Erskine College, a master of arts degree in history from Clemson University, and his Ph.D. in political science from the University of Georgia's School of Public and International Affairs, where he was selected as one of five "Excellence in Teaching" award winners for 2002.
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