Propaganda shapes our world and our minds. Since the invention of photography, images have been used to promote social and political agendas, from the repressive to the progressive. While ‘propaganda’ has often been associated with negative connotations, we can also consider the productive potential of photography as an influential medium and tool for social justice. Emerging professionals in design industries need to be literate in the many languages and possibilities of photography as a component of design strategies. How do we discern between helpful or harmful impact? How can we responsibly use images in our own messaging? We will focus on understanding the histories, current manifestations, and professional implications for engagement with photography as propaganda. We will examine the intersection of photography and design, as well as the accelerating impact of the moving image and social media. Beginning with an historical, global overview of propaganda, we will analyze methods and strategies of resistance as well as those utilized by governments to influence populations. We will then immerse ourselves in the contemporary media landscape, learning to identify repeating patterns and new implementations of photo-based imagery in design. Finally, students will prepare a professional dossier that invites them to engage as design leaders preparing to enter the world of design strategies. The goal of the course is to enhance visual, historical and social literacy in the lens and screen arts.