Contemporary Mass Communication
JOUR 1001 Section 006
3.0 Credit Hours
Fall 2010 Tuesday/Thursday 5:00 PM - 6:15 PM
Economics Building (ECON) Room 205
Instructor:
Office Hours:
Office:
Email:
Telephone:
Kimberly Eberhardt Casteline
Mondays 12:00 – 2:00 PM
Armory 102B
kimberly.casteline@colorado.edu – This is the best way to get in touch with me.
I will usually respond within 24 hours.
303-492-5007 – If you leave a message here I will only get it when I check my
box at the Armory. I cannot guarantee when the message will get to me.
Media theorist Marshall McLuhan reportedly once quipped, "I don't know who discovered
water, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't a fish.” Like fish in water, we humans are swimming in a
media environment so ubiquitous that we may not even notice our level of exposure and its
impact on us. In this survey course we will study mass media's interaction with society in the
United States as well as internationally by examining the major forms of textual, audio, visual,
and digital media and their applications in journalism, entertainment, advertising, public relations,
and politics.
Learning objectives include the following:
 To understand the history and role of professionals, institutions and emerging
technologies in shaping local, national and global communication
 To define and discuss key economic, technological, ethical, and legal issues facing the
media field.
 To understand the purpose of and approaches to media research
 To increase one’s media literacy
 To analyze one’s role in the creation and consumption of mass media
COURSE REQUIREMENTS

TEXTBOOK – You are required to obtain Converging Media: A New Introduction to
Mass Communication, 2nd Edition, by John V. Pavlik and Shawn McIntosh (Oxford
University Press). This book is available through the CU bookstore under JOUR 1001.
Reading the assigned chapters before class is required and is a key component for success
in the class. If you buy a new textbook it will include access to a website associated with
the text. Using the supplementary material is optional but recommended. The additional
readings and study guides will enhance your learning experience.

EXAMS – There will be two exams during the course, a midterm and a final. The midterm
will count for 20% of your grade and the final will count for 30% of your grade. The
exam format will be some combination of multiple choice, short answer, and essay
questions. Readings, lectures, videos, handouts, exercises and homework assignments are
all source material for exam questions. Alternate exam arrangements will only be
accommodated in the case of a verifiable documented emergency (i.e. dire medical
condition, family emergency, etc.) or a pre-approved activity (i.e. university sanctioned
travel). Please be aware that early or extended vacation plans are not grounds for
receiving a make-up exam so please do not make plans that conflict with class time.

ASSIGNMENTS – You are required to complete two writing assignments during the
semester, each of which will comprise 15% of your final grade. These are exercises
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designed to enhance your engagement with the material. Details about each assignment
will be posted on CULearn at least one week prior to the due date listed on the course
schedule. The assignments are to be turned in via submission through CULearn. Late
assignments will be penalized 5% for each day late.

ATTENDANCE, PARTICIPATION AND PREPARATION – Attendance is extremely
important. You are required to regularly attend class and participate in discussions, group
and individual exercises, and pop quizzes. These activities will count 20% towards your
final grade. As stated above, I expect you to complete the assigned readings before class.
Since the topic of this course is mass communication, you should think about your own
experiences with media as you engage the material and be prepared to share your insights
and raise questions as we discuss the material in class.
If you are absent or late, it is your responsibility to contact your classmates for missed
material. In-class exercises and quizzes missed due to absence or tardiness cannot be
made up. Absences due to a verifiable documented emergency (i.e. dire medical
condition, family emergency, etc.) or a pre-approved activity (i.e. university sanctioned
travel) will not affect your overall attendance and participation grade. However, you are
still responsible for obtaining missed material from your classmates. If you are involved
in any university sanctioned activities (e.g. ROTC, athletics, etc.) that conflict with class,
please provide written documentation of those activities at the beginning of the
semester.
Occasionally, I will post additional readings (some required, some optional) on CULearn.
I will send an email notification when I post supplemental material. Please note that
CULearn has its own internal email system. If you want notifications sent outside of
CULearn you must set your CULearn account to forward to another email address. To do
this log into CULearn (culearn.colorado.edu) using your identikey. Click on “My
Settings” in the top right corner. Click on the “My Profile” tab and then “Edit Profile”
and then fill in the email address where you want to receive CULearn messages. Then
click on the “My Tool Options” tab and check the “Mail forwarding” option.
GRADING
Midterm Exam
Final Exam
2 Assignments (15% Each)
Attendance and Participation
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
= 20%
= 30%
= 30%
= 20%
100%
93% - 100%
90% - 92%
87% - 89%
83% - 86%
80% - 82%
77% - 79%
73% - 76%
70% - 72%
67% - 69%
63% - 66%
60% - 62%
0% - 59%
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COURSE POLICIES
Accountability: You are expected to read and adhere to the guidelines set forth in this syllabus.
You are expected to ask questions and get clarification about anything in the syllabus that you do
not understand during the first week of class. Do not wait until the end of the semester to
express confusion with the course expectations.
Classroom behavior: Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining an appropriate
learning environment. Students who fail to adhere to behavioral standards may be subject to
discipline. Faculty have the professional responsibility to treat students with understanding, dignity
and respect, to guide classroom discussion, and to set reasonable limits on the manner in which
students express opinions. It is your responsibility to be familiar with and adhere to the university
guidelines outlined at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/classbehavior.html
In order to assure a classroom environment conducive to learning, please silence your cell phones
and PDAs, refrain from texting, and don’t do work unrelated to the class. If you have pressing
concerns unrelated to class that require your attention between 5:00 – 6:15 PM on a Tuesday or
Thursday, please feel free to skip class. If any student is found doing work other than that
related to the class, all laptops, cell phones, and PDAs will be banned from the classroom.
Please don’t revoke the privilege of using technology for the rest of your classmates.
Honor Code: Students and faculty are expected to abide by the University’s Honor Code.
Violations of this policy include cheating, plagiarism, academic dishonesty, fabrication, lying,
bribery, and threatening behavior. Cheating and plagiarism in this class will result in a failing
grade. All incidents of academic misconduct shall be reported to the Honor Code Council
(honor@colorado.edu; 303-725-2273). Students who violate the academic integrity policy will be
subject to both academic sanctions from the faculty member and non-academic sanctions
(including but not limited to university probation, suspension, or expulsion). Additional
information on the Honor Code can be found at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/honor.html &
http://www.colorado.edu/academics/honorcode/
Discrimination and Harassment: The University of Colorado policy on Sexual Harassment and
the University of Colorado policy on Amorous Relationships apply to all students, staff and
faculty. Any student, staff or faculty member who believes s/he has been the subject of
discrimination or harassment based upon race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion,
sexual orientation, or veteran status should contact the Office of Discrimination and Harassment
(ODH) at 303-492-2127 or the Office of Judicial Affairs at 303-492-5550. Information about the
ODH, the above referenced policies and the campus resources available to assist individuals
regarding discrimination or harassment can be obtained at http://www.colorado.edu/odh
Religious Observance: Campus policy regarding religious observances requires that faculty make every
effort to reasonably and fairly deal with all students who, because of religious obligations, have conflicts
with scheduled exams, assignments or required attendance. In this class, I will make reasonable and
appropriate accommodations for students who have conflicts between religious observances and the
course requirements. If you have such a conflict, please see me during the first week of class.
University of Colorado policy details can be found at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/fac_relig.html
Disability: If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit a letter to
me from Disability Services during the first week of class so that your needs may be addressed.
Disability Services determines accommodations based on documented disabilities. Contact: 303492-8671, Willard 322, or www.Colorado.EDU/disabilityservices
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COURSE SCHEDULE
Please note that this schedule is subject to change based on the needs of the class.
Date
Tuesday, August 24
Topic
Introduction to the course and each
other / Key concepts
Text
Chapter 1
Required preparation
Thursday, August 26
Key concepts
Chapter 1
Read chapter 1
Tuesday, August 31
Thursday,
September 2
Tuesday, September
7
Thursday,
September 9
Tuesday, September
14
Thursday,
September 16
Tuesday, September
21
Thursday,
September 23
Media literacy
Media ethics
Chapter 2
Chapter 2
Read pages 28-53
Read pages 53-63
Media theory and research
Chapter 13
Read chapter 13
Media theory and research
Chapter 13
Read chapter 13
Books
Chapter 4
Read pages 38-39, 85-86, 100-111
Books
Chapter 4
Read pages 38-39, 85-86, 100-111
Newspapers
Chapter 4
Read pages 38-39, 86-87, 111-123
Newspapers
Chapter 4
Read pages 38-39, 86-87, 111-123
Friday,
September 24
Written Assignment #1
Due
Tuesday, September
28
Thursday,
September 30
Tuesday, October 5
Thursday, October 7
Tuesday, October 12
Magazines
Chapter 4
Read pages 38-39, 86-87, 123-133
Magazines
Chapter 4
Read pages 38-39, 86-87, 123-133
Thursday,
October 14
MIDTERM EXAM
Tuesday, October,
19
Thursday, October
21
Tuesday, October 26
Photography
Chapter 6
Read pages 160-167
Movies
Chapter 6
Read pages 40-41, 88-89, 167-178
Movies
Chapter 6
Read pages 40-41, 88-89, 167-178
Thursday, October
28
Television
Chapter 6
Read pages 89-93, 178-187
Tuesday, November
2
Thursday,
November 4
Tuesday, November
9
Thursday,
November 11
Tuesday, November
16
Television
Chapter 6
Read pages 89-93, 178-187
Thursday,
Recorded music
Radio
Midterm Review
Must be submitted by midnight on
CULearn
Chapter 5
Chapter 5
Chapter 1,2,
4, 5, 13
Chapter 1,2,
4, 5, 13
Read pages 40, 87-88, 136-145
Read pages 40, 87-88, 145-159
Compile questions about the material
covered thus far
Study for midterm exam
Media storage / Media networks
Chapter 7, 8
Read chapter 7, 8
Digital media / Social media
Chapter 3, 9
Read chapter 3, 9
Journalism
Chapter 10
Read chapter 10
Entertainment
Chapter 11
Read chapter 11
Advertising
Chapter 12
Read pages 152-177
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November 18
Must be submitted by midnight on
CULearn
Friday,
November 19
Written Assignment #2
Due
November 22 – 26
Tuesday, November
30
Thursday, December
2
Tuesday, December
7
Thursday, December
9
Fall Break – No Class
Public relations
Chapter 12
Read pages 377-391
Communications law
Chapter 14
Read chapter 14
Politics
Chapter 15
Read chapter 15
Tuesday,
December 14
FINAL EXAM
10:30 AM – 1:00 PM
ECON 205
Final Exam Review
Chapter 3, 612, 14, 15
Chapter 3, 712, 14, 15
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
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Compile questions for the final exam
review
Study for final exam