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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "CMS 323"
COURSE NAME: "Media and the Environment"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Fall 2025
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Miriam Tola
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
TTH 11:30 AM 12:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
45
PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisite: COM 220
OFFICE HOURS:
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
As we transition from an industrial model of media distribution to networked communications, corporations and grassroots environmental activists are vying to define environmental opinion in an evolving media landscape. By applying media literacy tools to examine paradigms of communication and ecology we’ll seek to understand how media impact environmental concepts, and explore media strategies for addressing issues such as global climate change. The course covers three core concepts: 1) comparing media and environmental ethics and paradigms, 2) environmental messaging, and 3) the interrelationship between the form of media systems and sustainable business practices.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
Using ecomedia studies as framework, students will gain insight into the materiality and environmental impact of media technologies and modes of media production, consumption and disposal. Additionally, we will explore how environmental issues are framed in the media. We will explore environmental ideologies and claims making by critically examining advertising, social marketing, documentaries, and feature films. Finally, this course will demonstrate how alternative approaches to media and the enviroment strive to transform the current media ecosystem.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
As we transition from an industrial model of media distribution to networked communications, corporations and grassroots environmental activists are vying to define environmental opinion in an evolving media landscape. By applying media literacy tools to examine paradigms of communication and ecology we’ll seek to understand how media impact environmental concepts, and explore media strategies for addressing issues such as global climate change. The course covers three core concepts: 1) comparing media and environmental ethics and paradigms, 2) environmental messaging, and 3) the interrelationship between the form of media systems and sustainable business practices.
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| Essential Concepts of Environmental Communication | Pat Brereton | Routledge, 2022 | 9780367642020 | | | Ebook | | |
| Routledge Handbook of Ecomedia Studies | Antonio Lopez, Adrian Ivakhiv, Stephan Rust, Miriam Tola, Alenda Y. Chang, Kiu-wai Chu | Routledge, 2023 | 9781003176497 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Midterm Exam | | 40% |
| Final Project | | 30% |
| Final Presentation | | 10% |
| Attendance and Participation | | 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:
As we transition from an industrial model of media distribution to networked communications, corporations and grassroots environmental activists are vying to define environmental opinion in an evolving media landscape. By applying media literacy tools to examine paradigms of communication and ecology we’ll seek to understand how media impact environmental concepts, and explore media strategies for addressing issues such as global climate change. The course covers three core concepts: 1) comparing media and environmental ethics and paradigms, 2) environmental messaging, and 3) the interrelationship between the form of media systems and sustainable business practices.
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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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Readings and schedule are subject to change.
Week 1: Introducing Media and Environments
Week 2: When Do Media Become Ecomedia?
Week 3: Representing Environments: Advertising and Popular Culture
Week 4: Representing Environments: Advertising and Popular Culture
Week 5: Constructing Environmental Issues and Claim Making
Week 6: Corporate PR and Activist Media
Week 7: Midterm Exam
Week 8: Media Production and Extractivism: from Cinema to Electronic Devices
Week 9: The Political Ecology of Media Consumption / Disposal
Week 10: Environmental Media Management
Week 11: Media and Environmental Justice
Week 12: Media and Environmental Justice
Week 13: Final Project Workshop
Week 14: Review and Wrap Up
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