Media & Society – COMM 2010
Course Description:
Do you know what you’re watching? What you’re reading? You might think that what comes across your television or web browser, in your newspaper or magazine, or on your movie screen is pretty much the whole message; what you see is what you get. But the content we see, read, and hear is the product of complex forces − economic, governmental, historical, and technological. This course will explore those underlying forces and provide analytical tools to evaluate media critically. An overall goal is to become media literate, to gain an understanding of mass media as cultural industries that seek to influence our behavior and affect our values as a society.
Unit 1 aims to define mass communication, mass media, and culture. It also will introduce the core concepts of media literacy and the concept of transmedia, the practice of integrating entertainment experiences across a range of different media platforms. Unit 2 will introduce selected theories that will help in analyzing mass communication and its effects. Subsequent units will explore individual mediums: books, newspapers, magazines, music and radio, film, television, the Internet and social media, and electronic games and virtual worlds. The last unit will discuss issues of media ethics and the relationship of media to government.
Course Goals and Objectives:
Students who successfully complete this course will:
- Describe how mass communication industries operate as businesses, and summarize the historical, technological, legal, and economic forces affecting them;
- Differentiate among various mass media, but also describe how the various media are interconnected and how this affects the cultural texts they create;
- Explain the concepts of convergence and transmedia using examples from media today;
- Summarize major theories used to study mass communication and apply them as a media-literate professional; and
- Analyze mass communication in the 21st century as a cultural enterprise, as the product of mass communication companies is culture.
Students’ performance in attaining the course objectives will be assessed through participation in class discussion, writing assignments, quizzes, and exams.
Required Reading:
There is no textbook required to be purchased for this course. Instead, we will use a variety of materials I have acquired throughout my time as a communications student and professional. However, the text we will rely on most is, “Understanding Media and Culture: An Introduction to Mass Communication.” This text will be provided to you through a link or be uploaded to canvas as a pdf. We will also make use of the video lecture series The Influence of Media on Culture by Prof. Terry Dugas of the University of Nebraska.
Class Policies:
1. Attendance– This is a face-to-face class for a reason: It is essential that all students attend class. Attendance will be taken at every class. Absences due to university activities (e.g., debate, sports, etc.) must be discussed with me no later than one week before the relevant class period(s). Written documentation for a university-sanctioned absence must be provided. Arrangements concerning absences are entirely at my discretion.
2. Participation– Participation and attendance also includes, but is not limited to: Attending class regularly and on time, participating in class discussion on concepts in the readings for that day, being focused and practicing good listening skills, contributing meaningfully to group discussion and exercises, relating class material to your own experience and the outside world during class discussions.
3. Academic Dishonesty– Cheating on exams and plagiarism of papers constitutes grounds for failure of that assignment, and potential failure of this course. Please see me if you need help or an extension of time on assignments.
4. Cell Phone Usage– Electronic devices such as laptops and tablets are powerful learning tools in the classroom. Students are encouraged to use them at appropriate times. Cell phones, however, are not permitted to be used in my classroom. If I catch you using your cell phone, I will ask you to bring it to me. The second time I catch you with your phone, you will drop an entire letter off your final grade. If I catch you with your phone a third time, you will receive an automatic F. If anyone tries to catch a Pokémon in class, I will lose my freaking mind.
5. Late Work– Unless we have made previous arrangements, late work will not be accepted.
6. Extra Credit– I was recently a student myself, so I know what it is like to be in your shoes. I also do not want any of you to fail my course. I will (likely) provide opportunities for students to earn extra credit throughout the semester. To be eligible for extra credit, you must have all coursework turned in.
7. Out of Class Contact– My office hours are determined by appointment only. The best way to get in contact with me outside of class is with a simple text message. Feel free to text, call, Facebook message, or email me at any time. I will respond at my earliest convenience, but am most likely to give you a quick response if you text me.
8. Grading– I use a standard grading scale (90-100% = A, 80-89% = B, etc.). Occasionally, students are unsatisfied with some dimension of the course. If you have a concern at any time during the course, please come speak with me directly. I enforce a “24/7 rule” when it comes to grade appeals. There is a 24-hour rule in effect for all papers and tests: you may not contact me regarding the grade you earned until at least 24 hours after the assignment is returned. Additionally, you must contact me within seven days of the assignment being returned to you. After a week has passed I will not be willing to discuss past assignments. If you want to appeal a grade, you must make the grade appeal in writing to me. It is my policy that I will not discuss grade appeals via email or in class. Prepare and submit a typed argument indicating what your specific appeal is, what grade you believe you deserved, and a justification for that grade. You must have a legitimate argument for the grade change. Turn in the appeal before or after class, or at a scheduled appointment within one week of the grade being returned.
9. Respect– Enjoy the readings, enjoy the class, enjoy the assignments, enjoy your instructor, and enjoy one another. It is expected that students will be considerate of the instructor and fellow classmates and act in a professional manner. Once class begins, students should stop talking, working on other class assignments, etc. Please be patient with me and your classmates; we are all in this together.
Assignments:
1. Citizenship- Students are allowed two unexcused absences before their grade will be affected. Each absence thereafter will result in a 5% loss off your final grade. Students will earn points by arriving to class on time, participating in relevant discussion, and making appropriate comments.
2. Online Quizzes- There will be quizzes covering the assigned readings that must be completed before class. They are open book, open note, but can only be taken once.
3. Topic Papers- To help acquaint you with recent developments in the media, you will complete six one-page topic papers worth 10 points each. We will drop the lowest score. The format will be discussed further in class.
4. Presentations- A few times this semester you will be required to work in a group to prepare a short presentation about some aspect of media in our culture. This is not a presentations class, so I do not expect you to come dressed in your business best nor am I expecting professional-level presentations. That being said, they also shouldn’t bore us to death or suck. Requirements will be discussed further during class.
5. Final Exam- The comprehensive final exam will consist of matching, true-false, multiple-choice, and essay questions. Anything in the readings or discussed in presentations is fair game for the final exam, which will be taken at the testing center.
Presentations Schedule:
9/9- Books
9/16- Newspapers
9/23- Magazines
9/30- Radio
10/7- Movies
10/14- Television
10/21- Video Games/Computer Games
10/28- Internet and Social Media
11/4 Advertising and Public Relations
11/18- The future of Mass Media
Hayden Coombs 