Course Objective/Description: The course provides an overview
of print and electronic media, film and advertising. We will consider history,
structure, functions, and effects of the various media. The course material
is designed to give students a comprehensive understanding of mass communication
and its various applications in contemporary society.
Grading will be based on three exams and one paper.
Exams.
Students will complete three exams. Exams are closed book, multiple-choice format, and worth 50 points each (1 point for each question). Exam booklets will be returned to me. Students will be able to keep their graded answer sheets. I will discuss any questions about the graded exams.
Paper.
I would like students to complete a 3-5 page paper that presents their thoughts about the future of the traditional mass media (books, newspapers, magazines, film, radio, television, and recorded music) and how upcoming technical developments (most importantly computer technology) will change their content and/or delivery. In other words, what will the home media environment of the futur be like in the next 10 years. Students should draw on class material, their own experience, and library sources to draw informed, thoughtful conclusions. This paper must be typed and is worth 20 points. The paper should be mailed to me at my office by the data of the final exam.
There will be a total of 170 possible points in this class. Grades will
be assigned as follows:
| 153 points = A | 148 = A- | 141 = B+ | 136 = B |
| 131 = B- | 124 = C+ | 119 = C | 114 = C- |
| 107 = D+ | 102 = D | 97 = D- | below 85 = F |
Academic Honesty and Dishonesty.I expect all students to be familiar with and follow the University of Delaware's policy on Academic Honesty and Dishonesty. Students are expected to sign a statement of academic honesty on each exam.
Policy on Late Submissions. I expect students to complete all their course work as assigned.
Extra Credit: Because the Department of Communication is committed to advancing knowledge in our field, extra credit will be given only for participating in communication research. Research opportunities will be announced as they arise.
| Week | Class | Topic | Assignment |
| 1 | 1 | Introduction to the class | V 1 |
| 2 | 2 | Why study mass comm. | R 1-3 |
| 2 | 3 | Mass and other communication | V 15, R 4-13 |
| 3 | 4 | Media systems | V 17, 18, R 14-18 |
| 3 | 5 | Economic constraints | R 19-27 |
| 4 | 6 | Political constraints | V 20, R 28-32, R 77-81 |
| 4 | 7 | The Internet | V 9, R 82-91 |
| 5 | 8 | Newspapers | V 4, v 10 (pp. 230-239) |
| 5 | 9 | Magazines and Books | V 2, 3 |
| 6 | Exam 1 | ||
| 6 | 10 | Recorded Music | V 5 |
| 7 | 11 | Film | V 6 |
| 7 | 12 | Radio waves | V 7, R 33-44 |
| 8 | 13 | Radio | |
| 8 | 14 | Radio | |
| 9 | 15 | Television | V 8, R 45-57 |
| 6 | 16 | Television | |
| 10 | NO CLASS--ELECTION DAY | ||
| 10 | 17 | Ratings | V 14 (pp. 327-3330), R 58-71 |
| 11 | Exam 2 | ||
| 11 | 18 | Media Effects | V 16, 17 |
| 12 | 19 | Socialization | |
| 12 | 20 | Violence | |
| 13 | Time to work on Internet Project | ||
| 13 | THANKSGIVING
NO CLASS |
||
| 14 | 21 | Journalism | V 10 |
| 14 | 22 | Advertising | V 13, R 72-76 |
| 15 | 23 | New Technologies | V 9 |
| Final's Week | Final Exam |
Note. The videotapes are made during actual lectures. I prepare each class to bae 75 minutes in length. So, a class might cover more than one topic and videotapes might have more than one class on them.