Syllabus
- Course Contents.
- Literature
- Grading Elements
- Missed Assignments,
- General Considerations
- Tentative Course Outline
Course Contents
COMM 431 builds on what you learned in COMM 230 (Introduction to Mass Communication). The course offers the participants a deep insight into mass media research. Note that I am using the term mass media in plural (the singular form would be mass medium). Even if the term is commonly used in singular (mass media is, mass media has, etc), I will consciously and systematically use the term in the plural form (mass media are, mass media have, etc).
The course discusses, first of all, some of the classic theories in the field of mass communication, such as agenda setting, framing, cultivation, etc. During this segment of the course, students also become familiar with the name of indispensable authors in the history of mass media research. The work of Marshall McLuhan, Neil Postman, or Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann will be the subject of lectures and readings.
We will also analyze the effect of mass media on very specific areas, for instance, how explicit violence or sexual contents can affect different audiences, or what is the correlation between race and gender stereotypes in the media and the public perceptions of those social groups.
Finally, the course studies the radical change that new digital communication technologies have created in mass communication. Internet revolutionizes the way we receive and deliver information. It makes the ideal of the two-way communication possible. Convergence – or converging media – is the term that defines the new mass communication paradigm. The traditional differences between media contents, genres, formats and platforms are slowly vanishing. Students need to become aware of the impact of the digital revolution on individual, society, and media professions and industries.
Literature:
We will work with original literature (as opposed to textbooks). All the information you need will be available in the learning units.
Grading Elements
| Examinations | ||
| 1st Quiz | 20% | |
| 2nd Quiz | 20% | |
| Final Exam | 30% | |
| Case Study | 20% | |
| Participation | 10% |
Examinations
There will be two quizzes and a final exam, which includes the contents of the whole course. Examinations will exclusively cover material from the learning units. There will be no make-up exams (except for well documented medical emergencies).
Both exams will be completed online. They will be available 24 hours the scheduled day. You will have 90 minutes to complete the quizzes and 3 hours for the final exam.
Case Studies
You will have to write a case study, worth 20% of your final grade, following the APA style guidelines. The case study should focus on a particular instance of your choice of any of the theories and concepts discussed in the course.
You can perfectly write your case study in 6-8 pages (doubles spaced, font size 12).
Papers are delivered online through the particular assignment’s page in Blackboard Learn. I will not accept papers sent through any e-mail system. Make sure that you attach you paper as a PDF or Microsoft WORD document. If you send the assignment in any other format, I may not be able to open it.
The case study is due the last day of classes (May 8th).
Participation
The grade for participation will be based on an active and positive participation in the online discussions.
Missed Assignments:
Missed assignments will be graded so you receive feedback, but will be worth only half credit (100 pt. paper receives 50 points). This is a severe penalty; it is not fair to others who met the deadlines if we accept yours late. The instructor will not accept any assignment more than one week late. The instructor suggests getting familiar with the Blackboard Vista learning environment and allowing ample time in case of problems.
General Considerations
Please Note: The instructor reserves the ultimate right to modify the schedule of activities, assignments and tests for the class as it deems necessary. In addition, the professor reserves his rights to assess the overall ability of the students to meet the expectations of the course and will exercise his right to pass or fail the student accordingly.
Attendance
COMM 431 Mass Media an d Society, an entirely online, asynchronous course. In case you do not know, asynchronous means, in the context of online teaching, that we will NOT meet at regular times as a group. You will find online all the material you need to success in the course. You will have the flexibility to work whenever you can plan it in your schedule. It is, thus, very important that you regularly (at least once a day) log into your Blackboard Learn account in order to keep up to date.
Incompletes
The University’s policy on the awarding of incompletes is discussed in the catalog and will be followed in this class.
Academic dishonesty
CCSU has a zero tolerance policy on academic dishonesty. Academic dishonesty includes cheating on homework or exams, and also plagiarism. Demonstrated cases of academic dishonesty can result in severe penalties including receiving an “F” in the class.
To learn more about this subject, please read CCSU’s policy of academic misconduct at http://web.ccsu.edu/academicintegrity/
Special Needs
Please contact me privately to discuss your specific needs if you believe you need course accommodations based on the impact of a disability, medical condition, or if you have emergency medical information to share. I will need a copy of the accommodation letter from Student Disability Services in order to arrange your class accommodations. Contact Student Disability Services, room 241, Copernicus Hall if you are not already registered with them. Student Disability Services maintains the confidential documentation of your disability and assists you in coordinating reasonable accommodations with your faculty.
Tentative Course Outline:
| Week | Content |
|---|---|
| Week 0 1/18 - 1/20 | Introduction to the Course |
| Week 1 1/23 - 1/27 | Mass Communication Defined: Learning Unit 1 |
| Week 2 1/30 - 2/3 | Social Functions of Mass Communication: Learning Unit 1 |
| Week 3 2/6 - 2/10 | Walter Lippmann The Triangular Relationship between Mass Media, Public Opinion and Political Power in Democratic Societies Learning Unit 2 |
| Week 4 2/13 - 2/17 | Classics Theories in Mass Communication Studies: Paul Lazarsfeld: the Benefits of Conformity The Agenda Setting Effect Learning Unit 3 |
| Week 5 2/20 - 2/24 | 1st Quiz 2/24 |
| Week 6 2/27 - 3/3 | Classic Theories in Communication Studies: Framing/Priming Social Learning Theory Cultivation Effect Learning Unit 3 |
| Week 7 3/6 - 3/10 | Marshall McLuhan's The Medium is the Message Learning Unit 4 NETWORK Learning Unit 5 |
| 3/13 - 3/19 | Spring Break |
| Week 8 3/20 - 3/24 | Neil Postman's Amusing Ourselves to Death Learning Unit 6 |
| Week 9 3/27 - 3/31 | 2nd Quiz 3/31 |
| Week 10 4/3 - 4/7 | Neil Postman's The Disappearance of Childhood Learning Unit 7 |
| Week 11 4/10 - 4/14 | Effects of Mass media Contents: Violence Learning Unit 8 |
| Week 12 4/17 - 4/21 | Effects of Mass media Contents: Sex Learning Unit 8 4/21 Case Study Due |
| Week 13 4/24 - 4/28 | Persuasion Industries Public Relations / Advertising Learning Unit 9 |
| Week 14 5/1 - 5/5 | Digital Technologies The New Communication Paradigm Learning Unit 10 |
| Final exams | May 8 - May 14 |
Important Dates
| Date | |
|---|---|
| January 18 - January 24 | Add/Drop period |
| January 24 | Last day to change from part-time to full-time status Last day to drop first eight-week course without "W" Last day for part-time students to drop full semester course with 100% refund Last day for full-time students to withdraw from the university with 90% refund |
| January 25 - February 7 | Full-time students may drop courses but cannot drop below full-time status |
| January 31 | Last day for part-time students to drop full semester course with 60% refund Last day for full-time students to withdraw from the university with 60% refund |
| February 7 | Last day for part-time students to drop full semester course with 40% refund Last day to drop full semester course without "W" Last day to change from full-time to part-time status Last day to declare pass/fail and audit options for full semester courses |
| February 8 - April 18 | Withdrawal (no permission required) period for full semester course runs through April 19 |
| March 22 | Summer registration begins |
| March 31 - April 14 | Fall registration period for matriculated students (based on level, and for Undergraduates based on earned credits). |
| April 18 | Last day to withdraw from the University or from a course without permission |
| April 19 | Late course withdrawal form required to withdraw from full semester course (written permission of instructor and chairperson required) |
| May 1 | Suggested priority deadline for undergraduates to apply for May 2024 graduation (Office of the Registrar) |