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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "COM 470"
COURSE NAME: "Advanced Communications Theory"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring Semester 2012
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Lopez Antonio
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 13:00-14:15
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisites: COM 311
OFFICE HOURS:
By appointment
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course examines
central issues relating to theories of media and society encountered in
media studies, and to prepare for graduate school level studies. The
course concentrates on four key areas in mass communication theory: the
theoretical roots of social science as a context for media theory; the
political economy of the media and institutional analysis; media effects
and the mass audience; and the relationship between media production,
textuality and reception.
The
course ultimately offers a thorough look at a series of central debates
in the study of the media from the perspective of the three key
processes in mass communication: production, representation and
reception. Topics covered include: media selectivity and bias; news
sources and news values; media ownership; textual analysis;
postmodernism; the relationship between media forms and the public
sphere; the audience and media consumption, developments in media
industry, globalization processes, and convergence.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
The course will be run as a seminar. Students are highly encouraged to cultivate their own perspective on the points raised in the assigned readings, those they encounter as part of their own research and interest, and those raised by others during class discussion. Screening/viewing of relevant material will also be part of the course organization.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students who complete this course will be familiar with the major schools of media theory and will be able to apply these theories in practical analytical contexts. This course is intended to prepare students for entry-level graduate school theory courses.
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| Media and Cultural Studies: Keyworks | Meenakshi Gigi Durham & Douglas Kellner (eds) | Blackwell | 9781405132589 | | | | | |
| Key Themes in Media Theory | Dan Laughey | Open University Press | 978033521813 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments |
| Understanding Comics | Scott McCloud | HarperPerennial | 006097625X | | |
| Reading Media Theory: Thinkers, Approaches, Contexts | David Barlow, Brett Mills | | 140582199X | | |
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Midterm Essay | 5-7 page essay responding to material from the first half of the semester. Question and guidelines will be handed out in class. | 30% |
| Final Paper | 7-9 page research paper based on a specific topic related to the course material. Guidelines will be handed out in class. Topic must be approved by the professor. | 30% |
| Final Exam | A written essay exam that summarizes the main theoretical topics of the course. | 25% |
| In-Class Theory Presentation | You are required to do a class presentation once during the semester<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: times new roman;"> based on a close reading from a chapter in <em>Reading Media Theory</em>. Students will sign-up for their chosen essay during the first week of class. This assignment is graded pass/fail.</span> | 5% |
| Attendance and Participation | More than three unexcused absences will result in an automatic loss of a letter grade. Chronic tardiness will also result in a reduced grade. | 10% |
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
Assessment Guidelines for assigning main letter grades: A, B, C,D, and F.
A: Work of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensiveknowledge 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.
B: This 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.
C: This is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
D: This 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.
F: This 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:
More than three unexcused absences and excessive tardiness will result in an automatic F for your participation and attendance grade (15% of your total grade).
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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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Note: Course schedule is subject to change
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| KW = Media and Culture Studies: Keyworks |
| Week |
Date |
Theme |
Notes |
Reading |
Links |
Reading Media Theory (presentation schedule) |
| 1 |
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Intro to Theory |
Theory about theory |
Intro (MQ), Gitlin (MQ), Carey (MQ), Gitlin (handout), Positivism (handout), Morrow (handout) |
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ch. 4, 5 |
| 2 |
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Intro to Theory (cont) |
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Meyrowitz (MQ), McLuhan (KW), Mcloud, ch. 2 |
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ch. 6, 7, 19 |
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Meyrowitz (PDF) |
http://tinyurl.com/qyl9ka |
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| 3 |
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Critical Political Economy |
Pt.1 - Foundations |
Marx (KW), Williams (KW), Gramsci (KW), Williams (MQ-ch.27) |
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ch. 8, 9 |
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Adorno (handout) |
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Marx: Commodities |
http://tinyurl.com/r56fyy |
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| 4 |
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Pt. 2 - Hegemony |
Gramsci (PDF) |
http://tinyurl.com/nh86wp |
ch. 10, 11, 25 |
| 5 |
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Critical Political Economy (cont.) |
Pt. 3 - Culture Industry |
Horkheimer/Adorno (KW), Habermas (KW), Debord (KW), Hebdige (KW) |
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ch. 12, 16, 23 |
| 6 |
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Critical Political Economy (cont.) |
Pt. 4 - Propaganda/News |
Herman (MQ), Herman & Chomsky (KW), Smythe (KW) |
Manufacturing Consent |
ch. 15, 17 |
| 7 |
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Benjamin |
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Mechanical Reproduction (KW) |
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| 8 |
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Image vs. Word |
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McCloud, chpts. 5-7 |
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ch. 13, 20 |
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Goody-Consequences of Literacy (PDF) |
http://www.worldbridgermedia.com/com470/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/goodyeatt_conliteracy.pdf |
| 9 |
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Midterms/catch-up |
no class monday |
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| 10 |
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Semiotics/content |
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Barthes (MQ), Barthes (KW), Hall (KW), Radway (MQ) |
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ch. 14, 18, 24 |
| 11 |
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Postmodernism |
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Jameson (KW), Baudrillard (KW) |
Matrix, Truman Show |
ch. 21, 22 |
| 12 |
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Post modernism cont. |
No class on Nov. 24 |
Use this week to read and prepare your group presentation--see handout on class Website. |
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| 13 |
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Feminism, culture identity |
Group projects presentation (feminism) |
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| 14 |
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Wrap-up |
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Group projects presentation (cultural studies) |
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