SYLLABUS (GREEN SHEET) - REVISED 10/15  Mass Comm 72: Fall 2009  Mass Communication and Society Section 1 MW 9:00-10:15 a.m.  DBH 133

Dr. Richard Craig, Associate Professor  Office: DBH 108; 924-3240  E-mail: profcraig@profcraig.com  Office Hours:   Tuesday 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. & by appointment

Prof. Craig's home page: http://www.profcraig.com

Class home page: http://www.profcraig.com/072f09.html

SYLLABUS SUPPLEMENT:
You are required to read all information on this syllabus and on the syllabus supplement, which lists policies that apply to all my classes.  A copy should be attached to this document; if it is missing or you need another copy, it is available on the Web at http://www.profcraig.com/syllsup.html.

CONTENT:
This course provides an introductory overview of contemporary mass media systems and an examination of the various factors -- historical, economic, political and cultural -- that have shaped their development. The course examines the evolution of print and electronic media, the informative, persuasive and entertainment functions of the mass media and the legal and ethical implications of mass communication systems and practices. Finally, it considers the possible future directions of the mass media.

TEXT:
Richard Campbell, Bettina G. Fabos and Chris Martin, Media and Culture: An Introduction to Mass Communication (7th Edition).

Textbook is available at the Spartan Bookstore.  Please note that other outside readings will be assigned periodically throughout the semester, and that you will be responsible for these readings in addition to the text.

STRUCTURE:
Required are regular class participation in discussions and exercises, readings from the text and assorted handouts and/or assigned articles from the Internet, three quizzes, two examinations and a term paper.  Regular class attendance and showing up on time are a must -- repeated absences and/or lateness will be noted and will hurt your participation grade.  Assignments are weighted as follows:
 

 
See syllabus supplement for other grading policies.

QUIZZES:
There will be four in-class quizzes throughout the semester. These will be simple and straightforward, in multiple-choice format, and will test your general understanding of readings (if you read the chapters and come to class, you should sail through them). Quizzes will not take up an entire class period, so there will be a shortened lecture afterwards.  Only your three highest quiz grades will count -- if you do poorly on one quiz or need to skip one for personal reasons, you'll still be all right.

EXAMS:
Exams will be more detailed than quizzes in terms of reading and lecture content (a combination of multiple choice and short answer).  The second exam is noncomprehensive (i.e. covers only material from after the midterm).  To be fair to all students, exams and quizzes must be taken on the day scheduled, with exceptions granted for only well-documented legitimate emergencies (see syllabus supplement). PLEASE NOTE: You will have a choice of two dates to take the midterm: Monday, October 19 or Wednesday, October 21. This is to accommodate students with difficult job schedules. You will sign up ahead of time for your choice. On your free date (or during other free time), you are to gather sources for your term paper, which you will then report in a one-page synopsis (see next item).

TERM PAPER:
The paper assigned for this class will be due November 16. It will be a 12-to-15 page look at a topic chosen from within certain guidelines -- you'll receive a detailed handout on how to prepare your paper, and we'll discuss it in class early in the semester.  You will turn in a one-page paper topic proposal September 30 -- a couple of paragraphs about the topic you've chosen to write about.  As noted above, you'll also be expected to submit a one-page synopsis of sources for your paper on Friday, October 23 (or earlier). More details on all term paper-related matters will be discussed in the handout. The best papers will be organized around a central theme, with clear discussion of the specifics of the topic and analysis of the information presented.  As noted in the syllabus supplement, papers are expected to be turned in on time, period.

INSTRUCTIONAL GOALS OF MASS COMM 72:
This course aims to introduce you to the history and theories of mass communication. By the end of this semester, you should:

• Have a clear idea of the historical patterns in the development of mass communication;
• Be able to differentiate between different types of communication;
• Know the most important strengths and weaknesses of the various media of mass communication;
• Be familiar with the different functions of mass media, and be able to identify how different media (and media systems) serve those functions;
• Know how to identify and apply theoretical models that illuminate our understanding of mass communication;
• Be able to discuss the similarities and differences between old and new media technologies;
• Understand basic journalistic concepts, standards and terms;
• Be able to analyze the strengths and limitations of various research methods employed to study mass communication processes and effects;
• Understand both the significance and limitations of new media.

See syllabus supplement for information on deadlines, academic honesty and other issues not covered here.

SCHEDULE: (Subject to change, with notice):
    Subject matter of each day's class is in plain type, assigned readings are italicized.
    You are expected to complete each day's assigned readings before coming to class.
 

Week	Monday	Wednesday
Aug. 24-26	Introduction: What it's all about Campbell Ch. 1	Newspapers: The first mass medium  Campbell Ch. 8
Aug. 31-Sept. 2	Industrialization and media Campbell Ch. 10	Magazines and innovation Campbell Ch. 9
Sept. 7-9	LABOR DAY - NO CLASS	QUIZ #1 (covering Campbell Ch. 1, 8-10) Intro to movies Campbell Ch. 7
Sept. 14-16	Evolution and influence of movies Campbell Ch. 7, continued	Recording sound and music Campbell Ch. 3
Sept. 21-23	Music & the recording industry Campbell Ch. 3, continued	"Golden Age of Radio" Campbell Ch. 4
Sept. 28-30	Radio's powerful influence  Campbell Ch. 4, continued	Beginnings of television  Campbell Ch. 5 TERM PAPER PROPOSAL DUE IN CLASS
Oct. 5-7	Television's rise to prominence Campbell Ch. 5, continued	Television innovations Campbell Ch. 6
Oct. 12-14	QUIZ #2 (covering Campbell Ch. 3-7) News & informative function of the press Campbell Ch. 14	Media & popular culture Brief review for midterm Handouts
Oct. 19-21	ALL-CAMPUS FURLOUGH DAY NO CLASS	MIDTERM EXAM
Oct. 26-28	'Old' media vs. 'New' media Campbell Ch. 2	Digital media content Campbell Ch. 2, continued TERM PAPER SOURCE LIST DUE FRIDAY
Nov. 2-4	Advertising: Medium with a different function  Campbell Ch. 11	Techniques and examples of advertising Campbell Ch. 11, continued
Nov. 9-11	QUIZ #3 (covering Campbell Ch. 2, 11) The unique environment of public relations Campbell Ch. 12	VETERAN'S DAY - NO CLASS
Nov. 16-18	TERM PAPER DUE IN CLASS PR tools and techniques Campbell Ch. 12, continued	Media research Campbell Ch. 15
Nov. 23-25	Effects models Campbell Ch. 15, continued	NO CLASS
Nov. 30-Dec. 1	QUIZ #4 (covering Campbell Ch. 12, 15) Media laws and restrictions Campbell Ch. 16	Introduction to ethics Handouts, review Campbell Ch. 14
Dec. 7	Ethical issues in mass communications  Handouts

Final Exam:

Monday, December 14, 8:00-9:15 a.m. in regular classroom.