12/21/2024 10:10:10 AM	MEDIA 4 Course Outline as of Fall 2013	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  MEDIA 4	Title:  INTRO/MASS COMMUNICATION
Full Title:  Introduction to Mass Communication
Last Reviewed:1/28/2019

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	3.00	Lecture Scheduled	3.00		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	52.50
Minimum	3.00	Lab Scheduled	0		6 min.	Lab Scheduled	0
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	3.00			Contact Total	52.50
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00

Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade or P/NP
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly: 

Catalog Description:

Overview of the history, structure, function and influence of print, electronic, and digital media and their support industries.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:

Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL 1A

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

Overview of the history, structure, function and influence of print, electronic, and digital media and their support industries.

(Grade or P/NP)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:Eligibility for ENGL 1A
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;UC.
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:	Fall 1981	Inactive:
Area:	E	Humanities
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
	C1	Arts		Fall 1981
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
	3A	Arts		Fall 1981
CSU Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 1981	Inactive:
UC Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 1981	Inactive:
C-ID:
CID Descriptor: JOUR 100	Introduction to Mass Communications	SRJC Equivalent Course(s): FMA4

Certificate/Major Applicable: Both Certificate and Major Applicable

COURSE CONTENT

Outcomes and Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

 

1.  Evaluate the historical development of the print, electronic, and digital media.

2.  Analyze the economic, social, technological, and aesthetic impacts of the media on culture.

3.  Critically analyze the ways in which the media have influenced mass consciousness.

4.  Gather, identify, and interpret mass media overt and covert messages.

5.  Demonstrate a critical understanding of media's impact on their daily lives.

Topics and Scope

I. General Introduction to the Mass Media in Western and Non-Western

   Cultures

   A. The theory of mass communication

      1. The process of communication

      2. Media convergence

      3. Comparative media systems -- theories of the press

      4. Historical, economic and geographical influence on

         communication content and structure

      5. Cultural domination

      6. Differences between interpersonal and mass communication theory

   B. The history of mass communication

       1. Print as the first mechanical mass media

       2. The language of photography

       3. Electronic communication

       4. Digital communication

   C. The effects of mass communication

      1. The social effects of the media

          a. Cultural -- racial, ethnic, and gender perception

          b. Individual -- personal needs, identity, and attitudes

       2. Audience fragmentation

       3. The aesthetic effects of the media

       4. The relationship between media and politics

       5. The strategies for critical awareness and visual literacy

       6. Overt vs. covert messages: identification and interpretation

II.  Electronic Communications

    A. Radio

       1. History of radio

       2. The unrealized potential of radio drama

       3. Advertising and radio

       4. News and radio

       5. Education and radio

       6. Government and radio

       7. International radio

       8. Radio production techniques

    B. Television

       1. History of television

       2. Television genres

       3. Gender and racial stereotypes

       4. Film and television

       5. Advertising and television

       6. Journalism and the TV photo-essay

       7. Education and television

    C. Film

       1. History of film

       2. Film genres

       3. Synergy

       4. Branding

III.  Digital Communication -- the Internet

     A. History of the internet's development

     B. Examination of uses

        1. Email, Instant Messaging, Skype

        2. Online communities

        3. E-Commerce

        4. News and information

        5. Entertainment downloading

        6. Facebook, Twitter, Tumbler, and emerging social networks

     C. Impact on society

        1. "Global Village"

        2. Evolving language -- emoticons and online lingo

        3. Online education

        4. Telecommuting

        5. Social relationships

        6. Journalism and the internet

        7. Advertising on the internet

        8. Convergence: radio, magazines, TV, movies, music, ebooks

        9. Blogging

      10. File-sharing and piracy

     D. Wireless Web (mobile technology) and the Evernet

IV.  Popular Music as Communication

V.  Legal Responsibilities of the Mass Media

        1. The five rights of the First Amendment

        2. The legal obligations of the mass media: privacy,

            pornography, copyright and freedom of information

Assignments:

1.  30-40 pages of assigned weekly readings from the text.

2.  2-4 in-class exams, including a final.

3.  2-4 writing assignments of 3-5 pages each, such as:

     a.  An assignment demonstrating understanding and application of mass

          communication theory to print advertisements.

     b.  An assignment critically analyzing persuasive techniques in

          television advertisements.

     c.  An assignment demonstrating awareness of mass communication theory

          related to the process of political campaigning via the media.

     d.  An assignment analyzing the underlying cultural mythology of a

          secular icon of contemporary American culture.

     e.  An assignment evaluating social relationships and the internet.

      f.  An assignment evaluating propaganda in advertising and journalism.

     g.  An assignment evaluating editorial bias in print, radio, television and internet

           journalism

     h.  An analysis of cultural, ethnic, racial and gender portrayals on

          television

      i.  A comparative essay on news, political, editorial, advertising, or

         entertainment content of Western and Non-Western countries.

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 25 - 50%
Written homework, term papers
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 0 - 0%
None
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 0 - 0%
None
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 45 - 65%
Multiple choice, true/false, matching items, completion, essay exams
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 0 - 15%
Class participation, group work

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

The Dynamics of Mass Communications:  Media in Transition, 11th edition.  Dominick,  J.  McGraw Hill:  2010

 

Hanson, R. E.  Mass Communication:  Living in a Media World.  "The Press Effect," 3rd edition.  CQ Press:  2010

 

Introduction to Mass Communication:  Media Literacy and Culture, 6th edition.  Baran, S.  McGraw-Hill:  2009

 

The Media of Mass Communication, 10th edition.  Vivian,  J.  Allyn & Bacon:  2010

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