Web address: academic.regis.edu/jhill/
Office Hours: Wednesdays
1:00-2:15 p.m., Thursdays 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Course Description: Surveys the historical development
of American mass media. Explores
regulatory, economic, political and social influences of mass communication.
Course Objectives:
At the end of
the semester you should understand:
1.
The historical development of mass media institutions.
2.
The role media play in the development of culture and
individuals’ everyday lives.
3.
The technological development of mass media forms.
4.
The economic and regulatory nature of American media.
5.
The need for informed and evaluative analysis of media
content.
Course Text:
Campbell, R.,
Martin, C. R., and Fabos, B. (2010). Media
& culture 7: An introduction to mass
communication.
You are
expected to be aware of a variety of mass media content and will need to read
newspapers and magazines, watch television and film, listen to radio, and
monitor various internet sites.
Course Requirements:
1.
Quizzes. 10% Quizzes
will cover course reading, lecture material, student media reports, program
screenings, and class discussion. Quizzes will be scheduled a week in advance.
2.
Media Log & Analysis. 10% Keep track of all
media content for a designated time period.
Analyze your exposure, comment upon its influence and compare it to
research findings.
3.
Media Project. 20% In pairs you will critique one aspect of
media content. This project involves researching the historical development of
your topic, the relevant research findings, and a critical examination of its
value to our culture. This project includes
a written paper (10%) and an oral presentation (10%).
4.
Media Activities/Analyses. 25%
These five activities require that you consume, interact, and respond to
a particular medium, followed by a written analysis of the experience.
5.
Media Reports. 10%
Research an assigned topic area and provide an oral report to the class.
6.
Screening
Summaries/Reactions. 10% Written summaries and reflection papers about
video material screened in class.
7.
In-Class Participation. 15%
Policies:
Absolutely no cell phone or competing audio-visual
technology in class!
Grades will be assigned as follows:
100- 90 points ...........A
89 - 80 points ..........B
79 - 70 points ..........C
69 - 60 points ..........D
Course Schedule:
Week One August 25, 27
Introduction to
course. Overview of the American Mass
Media.
Read: Chapter 1
Sound, Music, and Radio
Origins of Broadcasting
Student reports: Clear Channel Communications, National Public
Radio, Satellite Radio Services
Thursday
Screening: Empire of the Air: The Men Who
Made Radio
Read: Chapters 3 and 4
Due Tuesday: Media Activity
#1--Radio
Week Three September 8, 10
Television and Visual
Culture—Origin and early development.
Distribute Media Log Assignment
Student Reports: Types of Syndication, TV Comedy Programming, Nielsen
TV Ratings
Cable Television
Student Reports: HBO, CNN,
MTV
Read: Chapter 6
Motion
Pictures—The
Student Reports: Blockbusters, Indies, the
Read: Chapter 7
Thursday Screening: The Studio System
Week Seven October 6, 8
Student
Reports: Bloggers, News Wire Services and Feature
Syndication, Underground/ Alternative Press
Due
Tuesday: Media Activity #3—News
Media
Read: Chapters 8 and 14
No class
Tuesday--Mid-semester break
Thursday
Screening: Screening: Good
Night and Good Luck
Read: Chapters 9 and 10
Week Ten
October 27, 29
Media
Economics
Read: Chapters 11 and 13
Magazine
Industry
Student Reports: Supermarket
Tabloids, Webzines, Major Magazine Chains
Due Tuesday: Media Activity #4--Magazines
Advertising
and the Commercial Culture
Due Tuesday: Media Activity #5—Advertising
Week Thirteen November
17, 19
Due Tuesday: Updates on Student Projects, including
final annotated bibliography and outline
Week Fourteen November 24, 26
Week Fifteen December
1, 3