MC101 Mass Communication and Society
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MASS COMMUNICATION AND SOCIETY
MC 101-04, 05
Fall Semester 2012
Instructor:
Office:
Office Hours:
Phone:
E-Mail:
Dr. Jack Zibluk
Grauel 103B
Monday, Wednesday and Friday - 9 to 10 am; Tuesday and Thursday 9:30- 11 a.m.
(573) 651-2174, (870) 219-3328
jzibluk@semo.edu
Website for classes: Drzibluksclasses.pbworks.com (lecture notes, course materials, etc.)
I.
Catalog Description
An examination of the media environment in the United States, emphasizing how the media
influence, and are influenced by, society.
(3)
II.
Prerequisites: None
III.
Objectives
IV.
A.
To provide students with a broad overview of mass media processes, as shaped by both
media managers and society;
B.
To provide students with a broad overview of the mass media and their impact upon society;
C.
To help students become discerning consumers of the products of the mass media;
D.
To help students develop the critical thinking skills necessary to evaluate issues relating to
the free exchange of ideas and information.
Student Learning Outcomes
A.
Describe how a nation’s media system is connected to its government structure
(authoritarian, libertarian, democratic).
B.
Identify and describe how the current United States media environment has the potential
to meet the needs of a wide diversity of audiences.
C.
Define the concept of freedom of expression and explain how that relates to the current
United States media environment.
MC101 Mass Communication and Society
V.
Expectations of Students
VI.
2
A.
To attend all classes regularly. But stuff happens. Students will be responsible for readings
and material from lectures and discussions. There will be no make-up exams unless permission is
granted PRIOR to the test. Otherwise, students will get a zero for the test.
Since much of the material on the tests and homework will be based on in-class activities, it's a
good idea to come as much as possible. Late or missed assignments and tests require prior notice
for an extension to be granted. Missing assignments will not be excused.
B.
To read all text and supplemental assignments
C.
To participate in class discussions/presentations. Effort often becomes a tie-breaker at
grading time.
D. To satisfactorily complete both in-class and out-of-class writing projects, Most homework will
consist of shorter essays that require students to analyze media issues. They should be
typewritten or word-processed and again, spelling and grammar count. These, too, will not be
accepted late without prior notice.
E.
To demonstrate both knowledge and understanding of subject matter on the four
examinations.
Course Content
Grades will be based on four tests, for homework assignments, and a research paper, weighted as
follows:
Tests: 10 percent each of final grade.
Homework/essays: 10 percent apiece
Research paper: 20 percent.
• Tests will be multiple guess and occasional short answers. Though they will cover
specific sections of the course, material from earlier sections will be included. Students
will be responsible for readings and material from lectures and discussions. There will be
no make-up exams unless permission is granted PRIOR to the test. Otherwise, students
will get a zero for the test.
• Most homework will consist of shorter essays which require students to analyze media
issues. They should be typewritten or word-processed and again, spelling and grammar
count. These, too, will not be accepted late without prior notice.
• The research paper should be an ORIGINAL analysis of a media-related issue of the
student’s own choosing. It needs to be five pages long, MINIMUM; 10 or more pages is
more appropriate.
PARTICIPATION COUNTS! DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS!!! It's how we all
learn and remember: DISCUSSION IS ENCOURAGED. We all have different perspectives and
concerns. It also may affect your grade. Students who actively participate in class or show effort
may well get a higher letter grade than expected if the numerical grade comes close. If you're the
quiet type, don't worry. Thoughtful work and participation in your own education are the best
participation.
MC101 Mass Communication and Society
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HOW TO GET A GOOD GRADE:
Show up, pay attention, tell the truth, and don’t worry about outcomes.
Anthropologist Angeles Arrien, Ph.D.
A. Attend Class
1. You pick up a lot through osmosis, just by listening
2. Have readings done in advance. The lectures offer more insight to what you already may
know.
3. Ask questions! A lot of others probably have the same questions you do. The teacher can't
cover EVERYTHING and even he makes mistakes.
4. Make comments. Teachers are learning all the time from you, too. If we don't know what's
wrong, we can't make it better.
B. Turn in work on time
1. Late work, without a valid excuse, may bring a deduction in your grade.
2. Once you fall behind, it's hard to catch up.
3. If you're rushed in order to try to catch up, you may not be able to do your best work.
C. Study
1. Review class notes first, book and supplementary materials second.
2. Think critically. Think of what things do or mean or how they function, don't just spit back
what's in the book or in the notes. Try to understand WHY things are the way they are.
Class Schedule
Please note all dates are tentative. If we need more or less time to cover material, we'll take it.
A.
The basics of human and mass communication
Aug. 21-24.
Read Vivian, Chapter 1.
1.
Definition of communication
a.
Elements of human communication
b.
A basic communication model
c.
Barriers to successful communication
2.
Definition of mass communication
a.
Basic differences between interpersonal and mass communication
b.
Distinguishing characteristics of mass communication
Essay 1: What does the word “media” mean to YOU?
Due, Tuesday, Aug. 28, in class. Please have a printed version of this
assignment as well as entering it into the on-line course shell.
Test 1: Thursday, Aug. 28.
B.
Identification of the mass media and their adjuncts.
Read Vivan, chaps 4-6
1.
Contemporary overview of each medium
Aug. 28-Sept. 27
a.
Distinctive characteristics of print media Aug.
(1)
Books
(2)
Newspapers
(3)
Magazines
(4)
Pamphlets, newsletters, brochures, etc.
Essay 2: Is print dead? Why or why not? What’s the Future? Due Sept. 2. In
Class.
Research paper topic due Sept. 4 in class.
MC101 Mass Communication and Society
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b.
2.
3.
4.
C.
Distinctive characteristics of sound media
(1)
Radio
(2)
Records, tapes, compact disks
c.
Distinctive characteristics of visual media
(1)
Television
(2)
Motion pictures
(3)
Video tape recordings
Essay 2: Critical/personal analysis due Sept. 12 in class.
Test 2: Sept. 28 in class.
Distinguishing the media by purpose
a.
General purpose of the mass media
b.
Dominant purpose of each medium
Contemporary overview of mass media adjuncts
a.
Press associations
b.
Supplemental news services
c.
Syndicates
d.
Networks
e.
The advertising industry
f.
The public relations industry
How the media are interrelated
The mass media in the U.S. political system; regulation
Read Vivian, Caps 14-16.
1.
Historical development of U.S. media
a.
The political nature of the colonial press
b.
The impetus for freedom of expression
c.
The First Amendment
d.
The evolution from a political press to a press of information
Essay 3: How should the media be regulated? Due Oct. 3 in class.
2.
Contemporary political/governmental roles of U.S. media
a.
Conduits for information
b.
The public's watchdog
3.
Media effects upon political/governmental environment
a.
Shaping public opinion
b.
Influencing events and outcomes
4.
Watching the watchdog
a.
Legal constraints on the media
b.
Ethical constraints
(1)
Professional standards
(2)
Self-regulation efforts
c.
Social constraints
Test 3: Oct. 18 in class.
Oct. 1-18
MC101 Mass Communication and Society
D.
5
The mass media in the U.S. economic system
Oct. 23-Nov. 8
Read Vivian, Chaps 3-7.
1.
The media and free enterprise
a.
Historical development of the media as a business
b.
The media as supporters of the status quo
“Essay” 4 annotated bibliography, paper outline, due Oct. 25 in class.
2.
Contemporary roles of U.S. media in the economic sector
a.
Conduits for information the public needs for business and personal
decisions
b.
Forums for discussion of national economic policies
c.
Channels for advertising messages
3.
Advertising in U.S. economic life: Devil or Angel?
a.
The case that advertising is socially beneficial
b.
The argument that advertising is detrimental to society
4.
Controls on media behavior in the economic sector
a.
Government regulations of advertising
b.
E.
Ethical considerations. Diversity.
(1)
Professional standards
(2)
Advertising industry self-regulation
c.
Societal constraints
Test 4: Nov. 8 in class.
The mass media and U.S. life and culture
Read Vivian, Chaps 12, 13
Thanksgiving Break Nov. 20!
1.
Historical development of the entertainment media
2.
Contemporary social/cultural rules of the media
a.
Conduits for information about how the world behaves
b.
Transmitters of ideas and attitudes
c.
Enhancers of social understanding
d.
Reflectors of the world around us
3.
Do the media really mirror society? Should they?
a.
The news media
(1)
Definition of news
(2)
The news elements
(3)
Other characteristics of news
b.
The entertainment media
(1)
Stereotyping
(2)
Mistaking media portrayals for reality
4.
Nov. 13- 16
Media influences on the social/cultural landscape
a.
The news media
(1)
Effects of direct attempts by news media to influence behavior
(2)
Indirect and intentional effects of news media reports
MC101 Mass Communication and Society
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b.
The entertainment media
(1)
Effects of direct attempts by entertainment media to influence
behavior
(2)
Indirect and unintentional effects of entertainment media
presentations
5.
F.
Controls on media behavior in the social arena
a.
Legal constraints
b.
Ethical constraints
(1)
Professional standards
(2)
Entertainment media practices
(3)
Self-regulation
c.
Societal constraints
Four theories of the press: Comparing media systems
Read Vivian, Chap 15.
1.
The Authoritarian Theory or model
a.
Characteristics of the model
b.
Contemporary authoritarian systems
2.
Totalitarian or Communistic Theory or Model
a.
Characteristics of the model
b.
Contemporary totalitarian systems
3.
The Libertarian Theory or Model
a.
Characteristics of the model
b.
U.S. media as an example of a libertarian system
c.
Media ownership/consolidation trends and the "Free Marketplace
of Ideas"
d.
Advances in printing: Freedom of the press enhancers
Dec. 3-6
4.
The Social Responsibility Theory
a.
Characteristics of the model
b.
Manifestations of the theory in U.S. media system
Final exam: Dec. 11 in class.
VII.
Textbook
DeFleur, Melvin and Everette E. Dennis. (1987). Understanding Mass Communication (3rd).
Houghton Mifflin: Boston, Mass.