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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "COM 220-4"
COURSE NAME: "Media, Culture and Society"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring 2024
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Miriam Tola
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 8:30 AM 9:45 AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisite: COM 111
OFFICE HOURS:
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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.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
The course is divided in three main parts. The first part will focus on the analysis of the main elements of the media (media technologies, the organization of the media industry, media content and media users). The second part, Media, Power and Control, addresses questions of media power, manipulation, the construction of news, public service broadcasting, censorship, commercialization. The third and final part, Media, Identity and Culture, will focus on issues of media and ethnicity, gender, subcultures, audiences and fans.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
1. Learn how to distinguish mass media from other types of media and gain a better understanding of various forms of communication developed by humans over time.
2. Develop an understanding of the origins, forces, and principles that helped shape the media.
3. Learn how to critically evaluate the relationship between media, culture and society.
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.
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| Media, Culture and Society (second edition) | Paul Hodkinson (MCS) | Sage | 1473902363 | | | Hard Copy | | |
| Revolutions in Communication: Media History from Gutenberg to the Digital Age, 2nd Edition | Bill Kovarik | Bloomsbury | 1628924780 | | | Hard Copy | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Course Journal | Students will create a course journal composed by 10 entries (150-200 words for each entry) focusing on concepts covered in the course materials. Most entries will be based on questions posed by the professor. Students should be prepared to share and discuss them in the classroom. The journal will be graded at the end of the semester but the professor will offer feedback throughout. | 20% |
| Midterm Exam | In-class exam composed by essay questions. | 30% |
| Final Exam | Media-based project and final oral presentation. | 30% |
| Attendance and Participation | More than three (3) absences without a reasonable excuse will result in the loss of a letter grade. Lateness will affect your grade. Students are expected to actively participate in class discussions and activities. | 20% |
-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:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until ____________
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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.
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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.
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SCHEDULE
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Please note that this schedule is subject to change. Please check the Moodle website for the detailed version of the syllabus, assignment guidelines and updates.
Week 1: Introducing Media, Culture and Society
Week 2: Media Technologies
Week 3: Media Industries: Printing Revolution
Week 4: Media Industries: Visual Revolution (photography, advertising, PR)
Week 5: Media Industries: Electronic Revolution (telegraph, radio, TV)
Week 7: Midterm Exam
Week 8: Political Economy
Week 9: Media Content and Media Users: Texts
Week 10:Media Content and Media Users: Audiences
Week 11: Public Sphere and the Construction of News
Week 12: Media, Race and Class
Week 13: Media, Gender and Sexuality
Week 14: Review
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