JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY COURSE CODE: "CMS 323" COURSE NAME: "Media and the Environment" SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall Semester 2012

SYLLABUS INSTRUCTOR: Lopez Antonio EMAIL: [email protected] HOURS: MW 15:00-16:15 TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45 CREDITS: 45 PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: COM 220 OFFICE HOURS: By appointment

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.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT: With an emphasis on a cultural studies approach to the environment, this 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. Because this course combines both theory and practice, there will be reading combined with in-class viewing and student projects designed to implement ideas explored in the course.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will gain an understanding of how media frame environmental issues learning how to deconstruct marketing, news and popular culture featuring environmental themes. They will also develop practical skills for designing their own media campaigns. Finally, students will understand the different implications of environmental messages disseminated on traditional versus new online social networks.

TEXTBOOK: Book Title Author Publisher ISBN number Library Call Number Comments Format Local Bookstore Online Purchase The Handbook of Sustainability Literacy: Skills for a Changing World Arran Stibbe   1900322609           Environment, Media and Communication Anders Hansen   9780415425766           Communicating Nature: How We Create and Understand Environmental Messages Julia B. Corbett   1597260681           Greening the Media Richard Maxwell, Toby Miller   9780195325201           The Media Ecosystem: What Ecology Can Teach Us about Responsible Media Practice Antonio Lopez   1583944591

REQUIRED RESERVED READING: NONE RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING: NONE

GRADING POLICY -ASSESSMENT METHODS: Assignment Guidelines Weight Midterm Essay A take-home analytical essay that will examine key issues from the first half of the semester. 25% Research paper <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: times new roman;">7-9 page paper and on a theme related to class. Topic approval required.<br /> </span> 25% Final Exam Final exam covers the main themes, readings, and course content from the semester. 25% Ecomedia show and tell Choose an example of environmental media from your research project and make a 10 minute presentation to the class. 10% Attendance and participation More than three unexcused absences and excessive tardiness will result in an automatic F for attendance and participation (15% of grade). 15% -ASSESSMENT CRITERIA: 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 attendance and participation (15% of grade).

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

Please note: This schedule is subject to change. An updated schedule will be handed out the first week of class. Pt. 1 Constructing Environmental Paradigms Week 1: Corbett Intro, 1-2 Week 2: Stibbe 1, 16 Week 3: Gerrard 4-6 Week 4: Corbett 7 (animals) Pt. 2 Advertising and Popular Culture Week 5: Stibbe 2, 3, 4, 26; Corbett 4-5, Week 6:  Corbett 6; Anders ch. 5-6 Pt. 3 Constructing Environmental Issues Week 6: Anders: 2-4 Week 7: Anders 7; Corbett 8-9 Week 8: Midterm Pt. 4 Sustainability and Cultural Change Week 9: Stibbe Intro; Corbett: 3, 10 Week 10: Stibbe 5-11 Week 11: Stibbe 12-15, 17-19 Week 12 (appropriate technology): Stibee 20-22, handout Week 13: Stibee 23-28 (presentations) Week 14: Stibbe 29-32 (presentations)