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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "COM 220"
COURSE NAME: "Media, Culture and Society"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Summer Session I 2018
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Antonio Lopez
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MTWTH 11:10-1:00 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: COM 111
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course examines the mass media as complex social institutions that exercise multiple roles in society—none more crucial than the circulation and validation of social discourses. Introducing students to a variety of theoretical approaches, the course focuses on media operations and textual analysis.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

This course explores the impact of mass communications on society and culture. Doing so means examining the relationship between media and democracy, and probing deeply how we as audiences and participants negotiate media in our lives. We examine how symbols and communication strategies vary in the context of different media forms, from books to television, and from the Internet to cell phones. We explore institutional pressures and filters that impact and frame media flows, including the influence of governments, corporations and citizen activists. Some important themes include the difference between information and entertainment (and when they converge as infotainment); the impact of convergence media; the coding of race, gender and others social and cultural groups; the impact (“effects”) of media on audiences; and the relationship between media and globalization. Ultimately we’ll seek to understand what constitutes authentic and inauthentic communications and how that impacts our lives directly. This class is organized around the discussion of critical questions based on comparative media texts viewed in class and online. Thus, class participation and attendance is essential. 
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

The course aims to encourage students to understand the relationship between media representations and society. By the end of the course students are expected to:

•       Be competent in the different models of analysis for the study of media organisations, media representations and media audiences

•       Understand key theoretical perspectives and research traditions within media studies 

•       Have acquired advanced competences for the analysis of social and cultural functions of the media

•       Have a certain understanding of the media structure (industry and technology)

•       Understand the relationship between the mass media, society and culture on a basic theoretical level.

 

 

4. Develop an awareness of legal and ethical issues that media users and practitioners may face.

 

5. Examine current and future trends in media and how media are changing in the 21st century.

 

6. Gain a better understanding of media’s effects on themselves, society, culture, religion, politics, and populations.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Media, Culture and Society: An Introduction 2nd EditionPaul HodkinsonSage1473902363     
Revolutions in Communication: Media History from Gutenberg to the Digital Age 2nd Edition Bill KovarikBloomsbury1628924780     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Mid-Term Exam 30%
Research paper 30%
Final Exam  30%
Attendance and participation 10%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Classes often cover material not in the required readings. More importantly, the class is build around discussion. Students who miss class do poorly on exams and it impacts the final grade, so not only is your attendance grade impacted by absences, but your test grades will be too. Students are allowed upto two unexcused absences. Three or more unexcused absences will result in an automatic loss of a letter grade.  Additionally you are required to look at the videos posted for the week on the class Website (they will be part of the exams).
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
SCHEDULE

This schedule is subject to change. Additional supplemental readings will be distributed on a weekly basis

Week 1: Media and social world 

Day 1) Intro: Media, Culture and Society, 

Media Culture and Society 1

Day 2) Cont.

Day 3) Media technologies, medium theory 

Media Culture and Society ch. 2

Day 4) The Printing Revolution

Revolutions in Communication 1-2

View: The Day the Earth Changed

 

Week 2: Media Industries (pt. 1) 

Day 1) Printing Revolutions

Revolutions in Communication 3

Day 2) Visual Revolution (photography, cinema) 

Revolutions in Communication 4-5

Day 3) Visual Revolution (Advertising, PR, Crafted Image), 

Revolutions in Communication 6

Media Culture and Society 9

Day 4) Electronic Revolution (telegraph, radio, TV), 

Revolutions in Communication 7

View: Century of the self

Week 3: Media Industries (pt. 2) Revolutions in Communications, Midterm

Day 1) Electronic Revolution (telegraph, radio, TV)

Revolutions in Communication 8-9

Day 2) Digital Revolution (Computers, digital networks, global culture)

Revolutions in Communication 10-12 

Day 3) Digital Revolution Cont., Midterm review

Day 4)  Midterm


Week 4: Political Economy and Public Sphere

Day 1) Media Industry and Ideology

Media Culture and Society 3, 6, 8

Day 2) Construction of News and public sphere

Media Culture and Society 7, 10

Day 3) Media Content 

Media Culture and Society 4

Day 4) Media Users

Media Culture and Society 5

 

Week 5: Media Texts and Effects 

Day 1) Race and Ethnicity

Media Culture and Society 12

Day 2) Media, Gender and Sexuality

Media Culture and Society 13

Day 3) Media, Community and Difference

Media Culture and Society 11

Day 4) Conclusion

Media Culture and Society 14

Final project due, presentations scheduled during week