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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "COM 220-3"
COURSE NAME: "Media, Culture and Society"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2016
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Clelia Clini
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: by appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course examines the mass media as complex social institutions that exercise multiple roles in society—none more crucial than the circulation and validation of social discourses. Introducing students to a variety of theoretical approaches, the course focuses on media operations and textual analysis.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

The course is divided in three main parts. The first part will focus on the analysis of the main elements of the media (media technologies, the organization of the media industry, media content and media users). The second part, Media, Power and Control, addresses questions of media power, manipulation, the construction of news, public service broadcasting, censorship, commercialization. The third and final part, Media, Identity and Culture, will focus on issues of media and ethnicity, gender, subcultures, audiences and fans


LEARNING OUTCOMES:

The course aims to encourage students to understand the relationship between media representations and society. By the end of the course students are expected to: 

•     Be competent in the different models of analysis for the study of media organisations, media representations and media audiences

•     Understand key theoretical perspectives and research traditions within media studies

•     Have acquired advanced competences for the analysis of social and cultural functions of the media

•     Have a certain understanding of the media structure (industry and technology)

•     Understand the relationship between the mass media, society and culture on a basic theoretical level.

TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Media, Culture and Society. An IntroductionPaul HodkinsonSage9781412920537 Throughout the semester, several articles will be assigned relevant to class discussions.   
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
AssignmentsShort essay and/or in-class activities15%
In-class quizzes 15%
Midterm exam 30%
Final Exam  30%
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 cou
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:

CHECK UNIVERSITY POLICY ON ATTENDANCE.

Please consider that frequent unexcused absences will affect your grade.
Students who arrive in class more than 15 minutes late/ leave the class for more than 10 minutes will be marked as absent. Lateness will affect the final grade. Every student is expected to do the readings when required and actively participate in class discussion. All the reading materials and course assignments will be posted on the class website. Students are expected to regularly check the class blog for updates.

The use of laptop computers and other electronic devices during class is NOT permitted.


The use of laptop computers and other electronic devices during class is NOT permitted.

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

NB: This is a preliminary schedule.

·    Some screenings and readings listed here might be subjected to change

·    The use of laptop computers and other electronic devices during class is NOT permitted.

 

 

Week 1

Course Overview and introduction.

 

Week 2 

Media Technologies and Media content (ch. 2 & 4)

 

Week 3

Media Content and Media Industries (ch. 2 & 3)

Quiz

 

Week 4 

Media Industries and Ideology (ch. 2 and 6)

 

Week 5 

Media Users (ch. 5).

Further readings:

Stuart Hall, “Encoding, Decoding”

Ien Ang, “The Nature of the Audience”

Stuart Hall, ‘The Rediscovery of “Ideology”: The Return of the “Repressed” in Media Studies’


 

Week 6 

The Construction of News (ch. 7)

Further readings:

Teun A. van Dijk, “Power and the News Media”

 

Week 7 

Review and Mid Term Exam

 

Week 8  

National Broadcasting and the Decline of the National Public (ch. 8 & 9)

 

Week 9  

Media, Identity and Culture (ch. 10)

Screening: TBD

Jigna Desai, ‘Reel a State: Diaspora, Homeland, and. Nation-state in Srinivas Krishna's Masala’

Quiz

 

Week 10 

Media, Identity and Culture (ch. 10 & 11)

 

Week 11 

Media, gender and Sexuality (ch. 12)


 

Week 12

Media, Identities and Communities (ch. 10-12)

 

Week 13

Media Saturation, Fluidity and Loss of Meaning (ch. 13)

quiz

 

Week 14

Wrap up and Review