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MCCNM 101, Media & Society
Department of Mass Communications and Center for New Media INSTRUCTOR: Samuel Ebersole, PhD Description Media & Society is a survey course designed to explore the mass media and the role they play in shaping our culture. Using a variety of theoretical perspectives, we will examine the historical, sociological, economic, technological, and ethical foundations of mediated communication from a social scientific perspective. Significant historical developments will be examined to provide a context for current media issues. Sociological issues related to the mass media will be examined to better understand the human dynamics that are affected by media use. The economic framework in which media corporations function will be explored in order to better understand the forces that shape media business practices. Because of the dynamic nature of media technologies, we will focus on the role that those technological developments have had in shaping the media landscape. And because all of these perspectives demand that value judgments be made by media producers and consumers, we'll explore the pertinent ethical issues that continue to challenge us all. Students in Media & Society will be encouraged to develop critical thinking and media literacy skills that will make them more responsible consumers and producers of culture. The course meets a general education requirement in the Social Science category and is required for the Mass Communications major at CSU-Pueblo. Objectives At the conclusion of the course students should be able to:
Format Primarily lecture, but in-class writing, small-group work, media screening, and discussion will also occur. Text Required: Campbell, Martin, and Fabos (2008). Media & Culture. An Introduction to Mass Communication, 6th ed. Technological Competency Technology will be used to deliver course content. The course instructor will utilize iClickers, email, PowerPoint, online and DVD video, and web-based internet sources. Blackboard will be used for this course. Students are encouraged to update Blackboard with their current email address, and to check both their email and Blackboard on a regular basis for course assignments and notices. Expectations Students are expected to read the assigned text chapters, attend class, participate in discussion and complete all tests and assignments on deadline. It is expected that students be in attendance and prepared to participate in class. Attendance and participation will be recorded using i>clicker technology. Please note: announced assignments are due at the beginning of class on the date specified. No makeup work will be allowed in exchange for missed assignments. i>clickers You are required to purchase an i>clicker remote for in-class participation. i>clicker is a response system that allows you to respond to questions I pose during class, and you will be graded on that feedback and your in-class participation. In order to receive this credit, you will need to register your i>clicker remote online by the end of the second week of class. You must have come to class at least once and voted on at least one question in order to complete this registration properly. Once you have voted on a question in my class, go to http://www.iclicker.com/registration. You can also register your i>clicker at your textbook website, http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/mediaculture6e/. Complete the fields with your first name, last name, student ID, and remote ID. The remote ID is the series of numbers and letters found on the bottom of the back of your i>clicker remote. i>clicker will be used every day in class, and you are responsible for bringing your remote daily.
Evaluation: 500 pts total Three 100 point Exams: (300 points)
Two 50-point Papers. (50 + 50 = 100 points) The first paper will take a media literacy approach applying the critical process (description, analysis, interpretation, evaluation and action) to a media “problem” outlined in your text. Format and writing mechanics will be assessed and will constitute a portion of your grade. The second paper requirements will be provided at a later date. Participation: (50 points) Students may earn up to 50 points by participating in class exercises such as surveys, quizzes, and other activities. Many of these activities will be conducted using the i>clicker response system. Course Tasks: (50 points) Additional brief assignments/tasks will be assigned over the course of the semester. Each will be worth 2-5 points. Tasks will be drawn from the following list of options.
Course Policies Because the class will be taught using a combination of lecture presentations and discussions, punctual attendance at class sessions is expected. Make-up of any quizzes, exams or other assignments missed due to an excused absence must be arranged with the professor before the next scheduled class meeting to avoid a grade of 0 being registered. Cell phones and other portable communications devices may not be used during class time. Please be sure that they are turned "off" before class begins. If it rings during class, I get to answer it! If my cell phone rings during class, class is immediately cancelled. If you must leave before the normally scheduled end of class, please make arrangements with me ahead of time and sit near the door in order to minimize disrupting your classmates. Academic dishonesty in any form, including cheating on examinations, fictionalization, using another student's work as your own, plagiarism of written documents, whether covered by copyright protection or not, or falsely representing another's work as your own, is not tolerated in the professions of mass communications, nor in this department. Students found in violation of this policy will receive a grade of F or unsatisfactory for the course upon the instructor's findings and recommendations to the department chair. In extreme cases, such violations may also result in dropping such students from the department and their major or minor in mass communications. This University abides by the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which stipulates that no student shall be denied the benefits of an education "solely by reason of a handicap." If you have a documented disability that may impact your work in this class and for which you may require accommodations, please see the instructor as soon as possible to arrange accommodations. In order to receive accommodations, you must be registered with and provided documentation of your disability to the Disability Resource office, which is located in the Psychology Building, Suite 232.
Course Outline
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