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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "COM 470"
COURSE NAME: "Advanced Communications Theory"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring 2015
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Antonio Lopez
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 4:30 PM 5:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisites: COM 311
OFFICE HOURS:
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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:
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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:
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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, Second Edition | Meenakshi Gigi Durham & Douglas Kellner (eds) | Blackwell | 0470658088 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
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 based on a close reading from a chapter in Reading Media Theory. Students will sign-up for their chosen essay during the first week of class. This assignment is graded pass/fail. | 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:
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 cour
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:
| More than three unexcused absences and excessive tardiness will result in an automatic F for your participation and attendance grade (10% 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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| KW = Media and Culture Studies: Keyworks / KT = Key Themes in Media Theory |
| Viewing: The Matrix, Truman Show, Blade Runner, Dogtwon and Z Boys |
| Week |
Date |
Theme |
Notes |
Reading |
Links |
Reading Media Theory (presentation schedule) |
| 1 |
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Intro to Theory |
Intro, Plato/Socrates |
Ch. 1, ch. 10 (KT) |
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(sign up in class) |
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"Adventures in Media and Cultural Studies" (KW) |
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Carey (PDF/handout) |
http://www.openmediaeducation.net/com470-sp12/files/2012/01/carey-cultural-apporach.pdf |
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| 2 |
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Medium and Message |
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McLuhan (KW) |
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Ch. 6, 13 |
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Mcloud ch. 2 |
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Meyrowitz (PDF), Meyrowtiz (handout) |
http://tinyurl.com/6o372zo |
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ch. 3 (KT) |
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| 3 |
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Benjamin |
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Benjamin, Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction (KW) |
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ch. 3 |
| 4 |
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Pop Politics |
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Gitlin (PDF) |
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ch 10, 11 |
| 5 |
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Critical Political Economy |
Pt. 1 - Foundations |
Marx (KW), Williams (KW), Adorno (handout); ch. 7 (KT) |
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ch. 8 |
| 6 |
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Pt. 2 - Hegemony |
Gramsci (PDF) |
http://tinyurl.com/7dpl3zr |
ch. 9, 20 |
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Gramsci (KW) |
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| 7 |
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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 |
| 8 |
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Midterms/catch-up |
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| 9 |
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Propaganda News |
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Herman & Chomsky (KW), Smythe (KW) |
Manufacturing Consent |
ch. 15 |
| 10 |
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Semiotics |
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Barthes (KW), Hall (KW), ch. 4 (KT) |
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ch. 18, 10 |
| 11 |
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Postmodernism |
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Jameson (KW), Baudrillard (KW), ch. 8 (KT) |
Matrix, Truman Show |
ch. 11 |
| 12 |
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Postcolonial Theory |
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Garcia Clancini (KW), Nedvereen Pieterese (KW) |
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| 13 |
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Media studies 2.0 |
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Gauntlett |
http://www.theory.org.uk/mediastudies2.htm |
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Kahn and Kellner (KW), Lievrouw (KW) |
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| 14 |
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Wrap-up |
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