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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "COM 220-1"
COURSE NAME: "Media, Culture and Society"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Fall 2024
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Eleonora Diamanti
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 6:00 PM 7:15 PM
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:
This course critically examines the impact of mass media on culture and society, with a particular focus on issues of power, representation, and identity. Students will explore how media shape and are shaped by cultural values, norms, and ideologies. The course will delve into the concept of hegemony and how dominant groups maintain power through media representations. We will analyze how media construct and reinforce social categories such as race, gender, and sexuality, and how subcultures and marginalized groups negotiate and resist these representations. Through the analysis of various media forms, including television, film, advertising, and social media, students will develop a critical understanding of the complex relationship between media, culture, and power.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
• Analyze the role of mass media in shaping and reflecting cultural values, norms, and ideologies.
• Critically evaluate the concept of hegemony and its application to media studies, examining how dominant groups maintain power through media representations.
• Examine how media construct and reinforce social categories such as race, gender, and sexuality, and how these representations impact individuals and communities.
• Investigate how subcultures and marginalized groups negotiate and resist dominant media representations, and how they use media to express their own identities and perspectives.
• Develop a critical understanding of the complex relationship between media, culture, and power, and apply this understanding to the analysis of various media forms.
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| Media, Culture and Society: An Introduction 2nd Edition | Paul Hodkinson | Sage | 1473902363 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Midterm Exam | In-class written exam composed of short an long answers. | 25% |
| Research paper | Research paper on a media-related topic. | 25% |
| Final Assignment | Media-based project and final oral presentation. | 20% |
| Attendance and participation | Participation includes completing weekly activities on Moodle. | 10% |
| In-class quizzes | Short quizzes administered throughout the course. | 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
Please note that more than four unexcused absences (those not justified by a medical certificate or a note from the administration) will result in an automatic F for Attendance and Participation. Chronic tardiness will also impact your attendance/participation grade.
Class etiquette: Use of technological devices, including cell phones and laptops, is strictly forbidden during class and affects your participation grade. Please make sure that your cell phone is turned off (and not just muted) when class starts. Use of technological devices in class will result in an automatic F for Attendance and Participation.
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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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This schedule is subject to change. Please check the class Moodle site for updates and current schedule.
Week 1. Defining Media, Culture and Society
Week 2. Media Technologies
Week 3. Media formats: Print
Week 4. Media Formats: Visual
Week 5. The Media Industry: Broadcast media and regulation
Week 6. Ideology and Hegemony
Week 7. Review and Midterm
Week 8. Media Content and Media Users
Week 9. The Politics of Representation
Week 10. Media, Gender and Sexuality
Week 11. Media, Race and Ethnicity
Week 12. News, Infotainment and Entertainment
Week 13. Consumerism
Week 14. Conclusion and Wrap up
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