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1 COMM 102 Mass Media & Society Spring 2015 Fredonia College Jewett :30 1:50 Office McEwen 205D Instructor: Vincent Quatroche Office Hours: TBA PH Course Introduction The United States is a media-saturated culture. In such a culture, media literacy is important. This course is designed to make you a better consumer and potential producer of media content. Course topics will include the following: 1.Overview of Mass Communication (background, historical/cultural aspects) 2. Print Media (newspapers, magazines, book publishing) 3. Electronic Media (radio, sound recording, motion pictures, television, the Internet) 4. Media Professions (news, public relations, advertising) 5. Regulation of the Mass Media (laws, rules, regulations, and ethics) 6. Impact of Mass Communication (global perspective and social effects Course Description An introductory course dealing with a historical and humanistic, with the process and effects of mass communication. Topics include: (1) a description of the industries of mass communication based on their mutual dependence; (2) related media industries such as advertising, public relations, news services; and (3) the influence and results of mass communication studying mass media research. Consideration of the ethical standards for the media. Students will be expected to discuss items related to the mass media. Should offer informed evaluation of media issues from the perspectives explored in the course. Required Text The Dynamics of Mass Communication Joseph R. Dominick 12 Ed. Learning Outcomes Special focus will be directed so that students can during the course of the semester: Demonstrate media literacy by accessing, interpreting, evaluating, and producing media messages. Trace the development and evolution of mass media in order to analyze, interpret, and evaluate the role, impact, and regulation of media in society Recognize and apply mass communication theories in order to analyze, interpret, and evaluate how media shape people s views of reality.

2 Upon completion of this course, it is expected that students will: 1. Develop a strong historical sense of how mass communication technologies originated and developed into what they are today. 2. Recognize the role of mass media in changing global political and cultural dynamics. 3. Understand the variety of relationships between media and their audiences, including how media affect individuals and society, and how these effects and audiences are measured. 4. Understand the ongoing government regulation of media in the United States as well as the constitutional principles that guide such regulation. 5. Identify basic mass communication terminology. 6. Explain fundamental communication concepts. 7. Identify the major contributors to the field of mass communication. 8. Discuss ethical and philosophical issues relating to the mass media. 9. Understand the behind-the-scenes operations and decision-making processes of the major mass communication industries. 10. Recognize the breadth of the field of mass communication and the importance of continuing to stay current with new discoveries. Course Overview I am excited that you have made the decision to advance your education and understanding of the mass media. The world of mass media is dynamic and increasingly complex and each day it greatly influences our lives whether we are aware of it or not. For example, our purchasing and voting behavior, our opinions of ourselves, what is important, what is unimportant, what is current, what is acceptable or unacceptable, and even our perceptions of how we as individuals fit into society are often a direct result of the mass media. We do ourselves a great disservice to overlook or remain unaware of these powerful influences in our environment. How well or how poorly society carries out the functions of the mass media should be of concern to all of us. This course will help you learn to look at the media in a more critical manner and to process information better so that you may become not only more knowledgeable, but a little wiser. While you are studying this course, I will be assigning you to follow current events as they pertain to the course content. Read newspapers and magazines, watch TV, listen to the radio, go to the movies, listen to music, work and surf the Internet. This introductory course is designed to give you an overall view of the mass media in the world or more specifically in America. The lessons and text chapters will teach you about the invention of the media, the names in history associated with the media, how the media works, how the media fit into the world today, and how the media influences and is influenced by pop culture. After completing this course, it is my hope that you will have developed an appreciation for the increasingly significant impact of contemporary mass media.

3 Department of Communication Philosophy - concise The faculty of the SUNY Fredonia Department of Communication encourages projects and behaviors that are undertaken with thoughtful respect and consideration for others. We support and encourage work that is both ethical and enriching to the students community and to personal and professional relationships. All students should review the Department of Communication Ethical and Professional Standards at Social Sciences COMM 102 CCC Goals and COMM Courses 1. evidence that the course presents general ideas and principles basic to the field of study including: a. an introduction to the major concepts, theories, models and issues; b. an introduction to the major research methods, including i. an examination of what constitutes evidence; ii. an examination of cause-effect relationships; iii. the importance of formulating, measuring, and manipulating variables; iv. the importance of formulating, operationalizing, and testing hypotheses; c. an overview of the history of the development of the field; d. awareness of contemporary thinking in the field; e. awareness of connections to related disciplines; f. consideration of the way in which culture has influenced the development of the field; 2. evidence that the course requires discussions, written assignments, and/or oral presentations that facilitate improvement of student skills, including critical thinking and critical literacy, in the following areas: a. interpretation of findings; b. differentiation between empirical fact and opinion; c. the relationship between hypothesis and theory; d. evaluation of logic and parsimony of arguments; e. alternate interpretations of findings; f. questioning of assumptions and exploration of new areas of inquiry; 3. a brief description of the methods to be used to assess student understanding of the course's subject matter and student attainment of the abilities and understandings listed above, as well as a method for providing for course improvement.

4 CMM105 Mass Media & Society Weekly Schedule Spring 2015 Week one 1/22 Course Overview/outline/expectations/Outcomes Chapter 1 Mass Communication Theory Week Two 1/27-29 Chapter 2 Mass Communication Perspectives Intro Chapter 3 History/Cultural context Week Three 2/3-5 Conclude Ch 3 History/Cultural Context Chapter 4 Internet/Social Media Week Four 2/10-12 Chapter 5 Newspapers Chapter 6 & 7 Magazines/Books Week Five_2/17-19 Chapter 8 Radio Chapter 9 Sound Recording Week Six 2/24-26 Chapter 10 Motion Pictures Week Seven 3/3-5 Week Eight 3/10-12 Week Nine 3/17-19 Chapter 11 Broadcast Television Chapter 12 Cable, Satellite/Internet Television Mid Term Exam Thursday 3/12 No Classes Spring Break Week Ten 3/24-26 Week Eleven 3/31-4/2 Chapter 13 News Industry Chapter 14 Public relations Chapter 15 Advertising Week Twelve 4/7-9 Chapter 16 Regulation of Mass Media Chapter 17 Ethics/ informal controls Week Thirteen4/14-16 Chapter 18 Mass Communication/ Social Impact Week Fourteen 4/21-23 Selected Topics/Prep for Student Presentations /Starting on 4/28 Week Fifteen 4/28-30 Week Sixteen 5/5-7 Student Presentations Student Presentations conclude/review for Final

5 Grading and Evaluation 4 Semester Quizzes 40% Mid-Term 15 % Final Exam 20 % Assigned projects 15% Attendance & Participation 10 % Penalties for failure to be present on all quiz/test dates will be strictly enforced in reference to the official SUNY Student policy found in the Fredonia College Student Handbook. But please be advised in a class on this size, unless you are covered w/ a legal excuse?,you miss it? You lose it. Regarding late work? Half the points taken off the top upon tardy submission. A A B B B C C C D D D F below 59 PLEASE NOTE THIS CLASS STARTS 12:30 Department of Communication Philosophy Communication does not exist outside of relationships. With this in mind, the faculty of the SUNY Fredonia Department of Communication believe that all communicators, whether in the classroom, on the air, or within created works, have a responsibility to themselves and their audience. The faculty believe that it is our responsibility to provide perspective and structure as students make choices about their work, and consequently, about themselves and who they are as adults and scholars. We encourage students to make the effort to consider the consequences of their choices for themselves, for others, and for those relationships. The faculty encourages projects and behaviors that are undertaken with thoughtful respect and consideration for others. We support and encourage work that is both ethical and enriching to the students community and to personal and professional relationships. All students should review the Department of Communication Ethical and Professional Standards at

6 The Department of Communication at SUNY Fredonia advocates the following standards of behavior for all students.* Department of Communication Ethical and Professional Standards Academic honesty is expected. Attendance is expected at all class-related meetings. Punctuality is expected for all class- and department-related meetings. Courteous classroom behaviors should be enacted at all times. A respectful classroom environment should be maintained for classmates and instructors, regardless of differing viewpoints. All university/department equipment or properties should be used with care and respect The campus sustainability policy, should be supported by using department and other resources responsibly. Cell phones should be turned off during all class meetings. Laptops are a potential distraction in the classroom and in some classes may be allowed only to accommodate students with documented disabilities. communications should use standard professional formatting. A minimum of 3 hours of study time should be devoted for each in-class or credit hour. *Students should adhere to individual instructors more specific policies. Additional information on the SUNY Fredonia policies regarding Student Rights and Responsibilities can be found at Examples/Explanations: Academic honesty Compliance with strict standards of academic honesty is expected. Academic misconduct/plagiarism will not be tolerated and may be grounds for failure of a course and suspension or dismissal from the university. Note that plagiarism is the failure to correctly cite/reference any words or ideas which are not originally your own; you should always reference the sources of your information. Plagiarism also includes the using of others (or sharing your own) essays, quizzes, etc., as well as the use of pre-written, purchased, or down-loaded materials. Please review the SUNY Fredonia Academic Integrity Policy at Attendance Regular attendance is expected for all class-related meetings. Notifying professors in advance, as required by some faculty, does not constitute an excused absence. Punctuality Punctuality is expected for all class-related meetings, as well as meetings with faculty or staff. Students having a scheduling dilemma that makes punctuality to a class difficult should reconsider their registration for that course. Courteous classroom behaviors Considerate and respectful conduct should be enacted at all times. By way of example, this includes: having considerate attentiveness to others, including listening rather than talking while others (professors and classmates) are engaged in discussion; talking is distracting and disrespectful to the speaker and to other students. avoiding side-work or distractions during class meetings. The focus during a class meeting should be on the class meeting; engaging in other activities (such as texting or doing other reading) diminishes the ability to be fully involved in class interactions. It will therefore negatively impact credit for participation.

7 not packing up materials before the end of class meetings. refraining from putting feet on chairs or other furniture/materials in the classroom. 1. Respectful classroom environment Your enrollment in any course indicates your agreement that all discussions and interactions will be conducted with thought, maturity, and respect for others rights to differing values and views. Discussion of differing beliefs is encouraged and should be conducted in a manner that maintains a climate conducive to the thinking and learning of all members of the class. Students are encouraged to exercise personal responsibility and self-discipline as they engage in the rigors of discovery and scholarship. 2. University/Department equipment or properties Equipment belongs to the State of New York and SUNY Fredonia: access to the equipment is a privilege. Students using this material are responsible, ethically and otherwise, for returning equipment in the same condition that it was in when it was checked out. 3. Sustainability policy The Department of Communication is a Sustainability Partner on the SUNY Fredonia campus. In keeping with SUNY Fredonia¹s Go Green Initiatives to use resources more thoughtfully, students are encouraged to be mindful about paper and other resource usage. Please use double-sided printing for all hard copies. Moreover, you are encouraged to print selectively from course E-reserves, share with classmates, and recycle all printed materials that cannot be passed on to future students. 4. Cell phones Receiving telephone calls and sending or receiving text messages are distracting from classroom goals. Cell phones and other interactive devices must be turned OFF not set to silent/vibrate and stored in students bags before the beginning of classes. 5. Laptops Research shows that laptops are a distraction in the classroom.* In general, all electronic devices should be turned off unless otherwise instructed by a course professor or as needed to accommodate specific disabilities. 6. communications s written to any faculty or staff, or to any community member as a representative of SUNY Fredonia, should use standard professional formatting. This includes a clear subject heading, a courteous greeting, proper spelling and grammar, respectful content, and an identifying signature. 7. Study time The Department of Communication enforces rigorous academic standards, which maintain the high quality and success of our graduates. Students should expect to devote a minimum of 3 hours of study/preparation time for each in-class/credit hour. *References: Bugeja, M. (2007). Distractions in the Wireless Classroom. Chronicle of Higher Education, 53(21), pp. C1-C4. Fried, C. B. (2008). In-class laptop use and its effects on student learning. Computers & Education, 50(3), pp Fink III, J. L. (2009). Why We Banned Use of Laptops and "Scribe Notes" in Our Classroom. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 74(6), pp. 1-2.

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