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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "COM 220-1"
COURSE NAME: "Media, Culture and Society"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2025
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Silvia Giagnoni
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: TTH 11:30 AM 12:45 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:
The course covers the evolution of mass communication models and theories and the emergence of the different media; it also delves into the analysis of the media technologies, industries, content, and users while addressing questions of power, manipulation, and commercialization in the construction of news (and media content in general), the role of public service broadcasting and censorship, and introducing key concepts/issues in media and cultural studies—ideology, hegemony, representation, ethnicity, race, religion, gender, sexuality, and sexuality.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

 

1.     Learn to critically assess the relationship among media, culture, and society.

2.    Grasp the main theories and methodologies of mass communications in their socio-historical contexts.

3.    Understand the differences among media, and how each medium evolves

4.    Analyze current trends in media, culture, and society and strive to connect them to other historical developments.

5.    Understand the constructed nature of media & cultural representations.

 

6.    Develop an understanding on the role played by race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and religion in relation to power, media, and society.
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Midterm examStudents will be tested both on the acquisition of content knowledge and the critical understanding of course material via multiple choice & true/false items as well as discussion questions.30%
Oral PresentationEach student will be required to present assigned reading material to the class. Additional details will be provided on Moodle.10%
Final ExamStudents will be tested both on the acquisition of content knowledge and the critical understanding of course material via multiple choice & true/false items as well as discussion questions.35%
Participation/AttendanceStudents are allowed three unexcused absences in this course. After that, students will automatically lose a letter grade for every three absences. Lateness: Students more than 10 minutes late are marked as absent. Late arrival (less than 10 minutes) is marked as such, and 3 late arrivals are counted as one absence. Leaving the class for more than 10 minutes will be counted as one absence. Leaving in the middle of class and coming back after more than 10 minutes will also be regarded as an absence. Students are expected to do the required readings for the day before coming to class and to be prepared to comment, discuss them or ask questions.15%
Short Essay/Critical ReflectionThroughout the term, students will be required to turn in a short essay to be chosen from a list of assigned topics. 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:
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.
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

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

Please refer to Moodle for updates on the schedule

R: Reading

S: Screening

L: Lecture

W: watch on your own

 

Week One

Introductions & Syllabus + Intro to the course

L: The Communication Process

R: (H) Read Ch. 1 Introduction

We will assign readings for oral presentations

Communication Process & History of Communication Studies

Week Two

L: Media Technologies

R (H): Media Culture and Society: Ch. 2 

Week Three

Oral Presentations begin

L: A Social History of the Media

R: Raymond Williams’s “The Technology and The Society “(photocopies will be provided) 

Week Four

L: Media Industries

R: (H) Chapter 3  

Week Five

L: Media Content: Basics of Linguistics & Semiotics + 

R: Chapter 4 

S: Representation and the Media  by Stuart Hall

Week Six

L: Media users and Audience Studies

R : Chapter 5

Week Seven

Review & Midterm Exam

 

W: Citizen Kane by Orson Wells (watch on your own)

Review + class discussion of Citizen Kane

 

Week Eight

L: Media Purpose & Control +Advertising

R: Chapter 8& 9

S:  Representations and the Media by Stuart Hall (excerpts)

Week Nine

L: Media as Manipulation: Marxism, Ideology & Hegemony

R: Ch.6

 

Week Ten

L: The Construction of News & Role of Public Service (social responsibility, deregulation, etc.)

R: Ch. 7 & 8

Week Eleven

L: Audiences & Audience Analysis II & Taste culture; gender; class; hierarchy; social status

R: TBD

Week Twelve

L: Media Community and Difference

R: Ch. 11 

L: Media, Race, and Ethnicity

R: Ch.12

S: Latinos Beyond Reels (excerpts)

 

Week Thirteen

L: Media, Gender, & Sexuality

R: Ch. 13

S: Tough Guise 2 (excerpts)

 

Week Fourteen

L: Stereotyping, Media, Power & Knowledge

S: Edward Said on Orientalism

 

NO CLASS - November 27 Thanksgiving Holiday

 

Thursday December 4 the last day of classes 

December 9-12

Final Examinations