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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "COM 220"
COURSE NAME: "Media, Culture and Society"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Summer Session I 2013
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Lopez Antonio
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MTWTH 14:00-16:00
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisite: COM 111
OFFICE HOURS:
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course explores the impact of mass communications on society and culture. Doing so means examining the relationship between media and democracy, and probing deeply how we as audiences and participants negotiate media in our lives. We examine how symbols and communication strategies vary in the context of different media forms, from books to television, and from the Internet to cell phones. We explore institutional pressures and filters that impact and frame media flows, including the influence of governments, corporations and citizen activists. Some important themes include the difference between information and entertainment (and when they converge as infotainment); the impact of convergence media; the coding of race, gender and others social and cultural groups; the impact (“effects”) of media on audiences; and the relationship between media and globalization. Ultimately we’ll seek to understand what constitutes authentic and inauthentic communications and how that impacts our lives directly.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This class is organized around the discussion of critical questions based on comparative media texts viewed in class and online. Thus, class participation and attendance is essential.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
1. Learn how to distinguish mass media from other types of media and gain a better understanding of various forms of communication developed by humans over time.
2. Develop an understanding of the origins, forces, and principles that helped shape the media.
3. Learn how to critically evaluate the relationship between media, culture and society.
4. Develop an awareness of legal and ethical issues that media users and practitioners may face.
5. Examine current and future trends in media and how media are changing in the 21st century.
6. Gain a better understanding of media’s effects on themselves, society, culture, religion, politics, and populations.
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| Media/Society | Croteau, David; Hoynes, William; Milan, Stefania | Sage | 9781412974202 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments |
| Questioning The Media: A Critical Introduction (2nd Edition) | John Downing, Downing, Mohammadi and Sreberny (eds) | Sage | 978-0803971974 | | |
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Mid-Term Exam | | 30% |
| Research paper | | 30% |
| Final Exam | | 30% |
| Attendance and participation | | 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:
Classes often cover material not in the required readings. More importantly, the class is build around discussion. Students who miss class do poorly on exams and it impacts the final grade, so not only is your attendance grade impacted by absences, but your test grades will be too. Students are allowed up to two unexcused absences. Three or more unexcused absences will result in an automatic loss of a letter grade. Additionally you are required to look at the videos posted for the week on the class Website (they will be part of the exams).
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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.
Week 1: Media and social world
Read: Ch. 1 Media/Society; chs. 1-3 in Questioning the Media
Week 2: Media Industries/Political Economy
Read: Chs. 2-4 Media/Society; TBA Questioning the Media
Week 3: Political Economy and Public Sphere
Read: Ch. 5 Media/Society; Ch. 5-6 in Questioning the Media
Midterm
Week 4: Media Texts and Effects
Read: Chs. 6-8 Media/Society; TBA Questioning the Media
Week 5: Emerging Trends: Technologies, Globalization and Social Media
Read: Chs. 9-10 Media/Society; TBA
Final project due, presentations scheduled during week
Final Exam:
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