Mass Communication and Society
Course Number: COMM 228
Transcript Title: Mass Communication and Society
Created: September 1, 2012
Updated: June 6, 2017
Total Credits: 4
Lecture Hours: 40
Lecture / Lab Hours: 0
Lab Hours: 0
Satisfies Cultural Literacy requirement: No
Satisfies General Education requirement: Yes
Grading options: A-F (default), P-NP, audit
Repeats available for credit: 0
Prerequisites
MTH 20 or equivalent placement test scores. Prerequisite/concurrent: WR 121.
Course Description
Explores the symbiotic relationship of the mass media and society from a rhetorical perspective. Examines the technological advancements in mass communications and their subsequent effect on public discourse and the individual in society. Prerequisites: MTH 20 or equivalent placement test scores. Prerequisite/concurrent: WR 121. Audit available.
Intended Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Understand the role of media freedoms in preserving our democracy and building and maintaining a free society.
- Recognize the impact of political and economic influences on media content.
- Recognize the importance of ethical standards within mass media, as they relate to the pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity.
- Evaluate media information through the application of media literacy and critical thinking skills.
Alignment with Institutional Core Learning Outcomes
| Not Addressed | 1. Communicate effectively using appropriate reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. (Communication) |
| In-depth |
2. Creatively solve problems by using relevant methods of research, personal reflection, reasoning, and evaluation of information. (Critical thinking and Problem-Solving) |
| 3. Extract, interpret, evaluate, communicate, and apply quantitative information and methods to solve problems, evaluate claims, and support decisions in their academic, professional and private lives. (Quantitative Literacy) | |
| In-depth |
4. Appreciate cultural diversity and constructively address issues that arise out of cultural differences in the workplace and community. (Cultural Awareness) |
| Minimally |
5. Recognize the consequences of human activity upon our social and natural world. (Community and Environmental Responsibility) |
Outcome Assessment Strategies
Assessment strategies may include:
- Qualitative examinations
- Quantitative examinations
- Essays
- Journals
- Research papers
- In-class participation
- Portfolios
- Projects
- Oral presentations
- Group work
- Reaction papers
- Service Learning
Course Activities and Design
- Weekly readings from course textbook and chapter quizzes.
- In-class activities including case studies, analysis of advertising, media vehicles, films.
- In-class discussion of the concepts and principles of mass communication, including monopolistic ownership, political and corporate influences, reflection of society.
- Supplemental films.
- Presentation and sharing of media-related research projects.
- Field exercises.
Course Content (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)
Themes, Concepts & Issues:
- Histories and growth of different media
- Connections between types of media
- Print media
- Radio
- Electronic media
- Persuasive Professionals
- International Media
- Connection between media and society
- Political Economy analysis of media
- Media literacy
- Media and democracy
Competencies and Skills:
- Be able to analyze the functions of mass communication systems and their effect on society.
- Be able to explain the histories and connections between different media.
- Be able to see how the dissemination of information influences individual perceptions.
- Be able to identify the differences and similarities in the broad range of mass media.
- Be able to make connections between and among the different elements influencing mass media.
