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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "COM 220-4"
COURSE NAME: "Media, Culture and Society"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring 2014
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Lorenzo Coretti
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
TTH 1:30 PM 2:45 PM
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 |
| Converging Media 3rd Edition | John Pavlik and Shawn McIntosh | Oxford | 978019996846 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
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 tentative and subject to change.
Session One: Introduction to the Course
Session Two: Mass Communication and its Digital Transformation
Reading required: Converging Media - Chapter One
Session Three: Theories of Media – Audiences and Political Economy
Reading required: Converging Media - Chapter Fifteen
Session Four: Discussion - “The Ad and the Ego”
Watch the documentary before the discussion
Session Five: Theories of Media – Media Texts and Effects
Reading required: Converging Media - Chapter Fourteen
Session Six: Semiotics
Jostein Gripsrud, Understanding Media Culture - Chapter Four
Session Seven:Reading required: Forms of Media as Ways of Knowing
Reading required: Sreberny-Mohammadi, Questioning the Media – Chapter Four
Session Eight: Technological Determinism
Reading required: Winston, Questioning the Media - “How Media are Born and Develop”
Session Nine: Print Media
Reading required: Converging Media - Chapter Three
Session Ten: Audio Media
Reading required: Converging Media - Chapter Four
Session Eleven: Review Session
Session Twelve: A journey into privacy: personal experiences of the new global power exchange. Part 1
Guest Lecturer: Simon Davies. Tue 25th February -11:30AM - Aula Magna
Session Thirteen: A journey into privacy: personal experiences of the new global power exchange. Part 2
Guest Lecturer: Simon Davies. Thu 27th February -11:30AM - Aula Magna
Session Fourteen: Mid-Term Exam (4th March)
Session Fifteen: Visual Media
Reading required: Converging Media - Chapter Five
Session Sixteen: Screening BBC documentary The Virtual Revolution
Session Seventeen: How Digital Media are changing the World
Reading required: Converging Media – Chapter Six
Session Eighteen: Networks
Reading required: Converging Media – Chapter Seven
Session Nineteen: Social Media and Web 2.0
Reading required: Converging Media – Chapter Eight
Session Twenty: Journalism
Reading required: Converging Media – Chapter Nine
Session Twenty-One: Entertainment
Reading required: Converging Media – Chapter Ten
Session Twenty-Two: Discussion – “Merchants of Cool”
Watch the documentary before the discussion
Session Twenty-Three: Advertising and Public Relations
Reading required: Converging Media – Chapter Eleven
Session Twenty-Four: Discussion – “The Persuaders”
Watch the documentary before the discussion
Session Twenty-Five: Media Ethics
Reading Required: Converging Media – Chapter Twelve
Session Twenty-Six: Regulation
Reading Required: Converging Media – Chapter Thirteen
Session Twenty-Seven: Network Society
Reading Required: Webster, Handbook of New Media – Information Society Revisited
Session Twenty-Eight: Review
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