Psychology and the Media COURSE TITLE PSY3245 COURSE NUMBER NUMBER OF CREDITS. Dr. Laura J. Moore INSTRUCTOR.

Transcription

1 COURSE TITLE Psychology and the Media COURSE NUMBER PSY3245 NUMBER OF CREDITS 4 INSTRUCTOR Dr. Laura J. Moore INSTRUCTOR S laura.moore@purchase.edu COURSE DESCRIPTION FROM CATALOG Media profoundly effects how humans understand themselves and the world in which they live. It impacts cognition, emotion, socialization and behavior. The course will examine the application of psychological principles throughout several forms of media including news and politics, violence, advertising, educational and public information, social media, and entertainment. Implications for consumers, educators, children, parents and individuals will be discussed. DELIVERY FORMAT Online NUMBER OF WEEKS 3 SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENT CATEGORY

2 SUNY LEARNING OUTCOMES There are two SUNY Learning Outcomes (SLOs) that will apply to this course and that will be assessed: Students will demonstrate understanding of the methods social scientists use to explore social phenomena, including observation, hypothesis development, measurement and data collection, experimentation, evaluation of evidence, and employment of mathematical and interpretive analysis Students will demonstrate knowledge of major concepts, models and issues of at least one discipline in the social sciences. OUTCOMES MET FOR LIBERAL STUDIES MAJOR The ability to articulate and communicate clearly in written and spoken forms Research skills including the ability to analyze and synthesize information Responsibility to others and our community Respect, tolerance and openness to new ideas and ways of thinking To think critically, independently and creatively an understanding of media s influence on the psychology of individuals and groups. COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES REQUIRED READINGS By the end of the course, the student should be able to: Demonstrate critical thinking with regard to the media and response to the media Discuss research regarding the effects of the media Apply psychological theories and principles (including learning, cognition, development, and social) to different forms of media Understand the impact of various forms of media on consumers Describe APA ethical standards and guidelines in the use of media Discuss the impact of media and technology on individuals and society The Dynamics of Persuasion: Communication and Attitudes in the 21st Century Richard M. Perloff Psychology of the Media David Giles Additional online readings will be assigned for each unit. You will need the books from day one so please before to order it as soon as possible.

3 ASSESSMENT PLAN Your grade in this course will be based on your performance on class assignments and quizzes/exams. The due dates for all assignments and for quizzes/exams are posted on the Moodle site. Discussion forum assignments and quizzes/exams have firm deadlines, as listed on the Moodle page, and are due by 11:55 pm on the date listed. Discussion Forum and Writing Assignments Each content module contains a variety of learning activities to enhance your understanding of the course material and to help you master the content of this course. These activities include viewing video clips/movies/demonstrations related to course material, group activities, and exploration assignments. All assignments involve a brief written response and count towards your final grade. Total 60%. Quizzes and Exams Most content modules will be followed by a brief mastery quiz. These quizzes will take a multiple choice format, and are available through the Assignment function. Twenty percent (20%) of your final grade will be based on the point total from your quizzes. There will also be a midterm exam and a final exam, each contributing ten percent (total of 20%) to your final grade. Total 40%. Grading in this course will adhere to Purchase College s standards of academic integrity. This policy explicitly prohibits cheating, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty. Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the definition of plagiarism and the acceptable methods of attribution. You can find detailed information concerning this policy on the Purchase College website, Assignments will be posted in a timely fashion, so as to allow students sufficient time to complete all work. To receive full consideration, all assignments must be posted no later than 11:55 pm on the due date. Late assignments posted within one calendar day of the original due date will receive partial credit. Assignments, more than one day late, will not be accepted. Participants are expected to post original work. Plagiarism of another s writing or thought will not be tolerated. Violations of this policy may lead to formal disciplinary action and sanctions: Minimum Sanction: Failing grade on the assignment or exam. Maximum sanction: Expulsion. Recommended Sanction (First Offense): Failing course grade. Recommended Sanction (Second Offense): Expulsion.

4 COURSE TOPIC OUTLINE This online course will run live and through the Purchase College Moodle Learning Management System, Moodle will provide you with access to class resources (e.g., presentations, articles, media, and web links) and host the learning activities for the course (e.g., discussion forums, assignments, and lessons). You must be able to access the internet and use for the duration of this course. Any technical problems must be addressed immediately. You are expected to log into the course, read updated information and postings, and participate as required. Participation in class discussions and activities is an important component of any learning experience, and online learning is no different in this respect. It is expected that all postings will be respectful and constructive. You are expected to observe appropriate netiquette. For a useful overview of netiquette conventions, please visit You must also know how to use Microsoft Office (Windows or MAC) and be comfortable creating, attaching, and uploading/downloading documents.

5 COURSE TOPIC OUTLINE "All media work us over completely. They are so pervasive in their personal, political, economic, aesthetic, psychological, moral, ethical, and social consequences that they leave no part of us untouched, unaffected, unaltered...any understanding of social and cultural change is impossible without knowledge of the way media work as environments." Marshall McLuhan 1967 Unit 1 Welcome and Introduction Unit 2 Overview of Key Psychological Theories (including cognition, learning, personality, development, abnormal) Unit 3 Persuasion Theories Unit 4 Violence: Fear, Risk & Resilience Unit 5 Impact of Social Media Unit 6 Psychology of Marketing & Advertising Unit 7 Gender Stereotypes in Media Unit 8 Children & Adolescents: How Children Process Media Unit 9 Midterm Exam Unit 10 And That s the News: The Issue of Perspective Unit 11 That s Entertainment: Music & Personality Unit 12 That s Entertainment: Movies & Abnormal Psychology Unit 13 That s Entertainment: Television & Cognition Unit 14 Final Please note: this syllabus is subject to change