COMM 245

Mass Communication and Culture

Elizabeth M. Perse Spring 2000

Office: 240 Pearson Hall Section 80

Phone and voice mail: 831-8029 Class Meetings: M W F 10:10 - 11:00

e-mail: eperse@udel.edu Pearson 113

Office Hours: M W F 11:00 - 12:00

Course Objective/Description: The course provides an overview of print and electronic media, film and advertising, and Internet-based media. 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.

Course Web Site: http://www.udel.edu/comm245/comm245.html

Textbook Web Site: http://www.abacon.com/vivian/

http://www.dushkin.com/annualeditions

Texts: Vivian, J. (1999). The media of mass communication (5th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon. [V]

Annual editions: Mass media. (1999). Guilford, CT: Duskin. [AE]

A packet of required readings is available at the Newark News Stand. [R]

Grading: Grading will be based on exams, presentations, news highlights, and assignments.

Exams. Students will complete two exams, each covering half of the course material (readings, lectures, and presentations). Make‑up exams will be given only (a) when arrangements have been made with the instructor in advance and (b) in case of illness verified by a physician's note. Exams will be given on March 24 and during final exam week. Each exam will count 50 points.

News Highlights. We will begin each class with a short discussion of mass communication issues currently in the news. Each student will be expected to provide a minimum of 10 current news highlights. Students should bring to class either a short summary of the issue on an index card or a copy of the printed news article. News highlights will contribute 10 points to final grades.

Presentations. Students will be organized into five teams that will each make a presentation and lead class discussion about a media issue.

1. Media monopolies: benefits and harms.

2. Book censorship. What causes it? Are there any economic impacts?

3. Music censorship/labeling. Why? Benefits and harms.

4. Media violence. Should it be regulated?

5. Mass media tomorrow: What does the future hold?

Each team will draw on information from class readings and library research (academic research and evidence from popular periodicals). Teams are encouraged to use audio-visual materials in their presentations. Check with the instructor to make sure that we have any equipment you need available the day of the presentation. I will be available to help teams get leads and ideas. Grading will be based on content and presentation (this is a communication class!), so comprehensiveness and creativity both count. Teams will be given the entire class period for their presentation. The presentation should involve the class in discussion. The presentation is worth 15 points.

Assignments. Each student will complete five assignments. Each assignment is worth 3 points.

1. Go to a newsstand or library and find four magazines that you have never heard of before. Make notes about who the target market it, what kinds of advertising appears, and how this magazine reflects cultural trends.

2. Compare and contrast the same day=s issue of a large metro newspaper B its online and print version. Describe the strengths and weaknesses each from a consumer=s perspective.

3. Work with your group to present the history of a musical form and how it is reflected in current music.

4. Find five print ads that illustrate propaganda devices. There will be a handout.

5. Compare the news coverage of the same story in at least two different media (radio, TV, WWW, newspaper, news magazine).

There will be a total of 140 possible course points. Grades will be assigned as follows:

130 points = A	108 = B-	88 = D+
122 = A-	102 = C+	84 = D
116 = B+	98 = C	80 = D-
112 = B	94 = C-	below 80 = F

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.

Course Schedule
Date	Topic/Assignment	Reading
Feb 9	Introduction to the course	AE 33
Feb 11	Importance of mass communication	R pp. 1-3
Feb 14	Mass and other communication	V 1, 14, R pp. 4-13
Feb 16	Different media systems	V 17, R pp. 14- 18
Feb 18
Feb 21	Economic support of the media	R pp. 19-27, AE 32
Feb 23	Economic constraints	AE 29, 30, 31
Feb 25	Political constraints
Feb 28	Regulation of the media	V 18, R pp. 28-32, AE 7
Mar 1
Mar 3	Media monopolies Group 1	AE 8
Mar 6	Books Group 2	V 2
Mar 8	Magazines Assignment 1 Bring a magazine to class	V 3
Mar 10	Newspapers Assignment 2	V 4, 10 (pp. 257-265)
Mar 13
Mar 15	Recorded music Assignment 3	V 5
Mar 17
Mar 20	Group 3
Mar 22
Mar 24	EXAM 1
Mar 25 - Apr 2	SPRING BREAK
Apr 3	Film	V 6
Apr 5
Apr 7	Radio	V 7, R pp. 33-44
Apr 10
Apr 12
Apr 14	Television	V 8, R pp. 45-57
Apr 17
Apr 19
Apr 21	Ratings	V 13, R pp. 58-71, AE 39
Apr 24	Advertising Assignment 4	V 12, R pp. 72-76, AE 28, 34
Apr 26
Apr 28
May 1	News Assignment 5	V 10, AE 9, 11, 12, 20, 27
May 3
May 5	News Ethics	V 19, AE 23, 24, 25
May 8	Media Effects	V 15, 16, AE 3, 4, 6
May 10
May 12	Group 4	AE 2
May 15
May 17	The World Wide Web Group 5	V 9, AE 35
May ??	EXAM 2

Note. The dates on this course outline are approximate. You are responsible for any changes.