COMM 5200/6200
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COMM 5200/6200: Persuasion & Political Communication
University of Utah, Spring 2015
T&H 9:10-10:30, MBH 302
Professor: Kevin Coe, Ph.D.
Office: LNCO 2615
Office Phone: 801-581-5341
Office Hours: T and H, 3:00-4:00, and by appt.
Email: kevin.coe@utah.edu (response w/in 24 hours, M-F)
Course Website: Canvas (utah.instructure.com)
Course Overview
This course examines the interaction of media, politics, and public opinion, thus providing a survey of the
field of political communication. It focuses on the American context, though international contexts will
sometimes serve as points of comparison. Emphasis will be given to the role of political communication
in democratic society; the audiences for political news; factors that shape the construction of news,
including economics, strategic communication, and news norms; news bias; political communication as it
is practiced online; the effects of media messages on citizens’ engagement with politics; the role of
political communication during elections and in wartime; the relationship between political
communication and various social groups; and the interaction of politics and popular culture.
Course Objectives
The course has two primary objectives: 1) To provide students with a critical appreciation of the complex
relationship between American politics, mass media, and public opinion; 2) To encourage students to be
active and intelligent participants in American democracy.
Readings
A single book is required for the course. It is sold at the campus store and by various online retailers, and
a copy is available on reserve at the Marriott Library. Note that the 6th edition is the one required.
Graber, D. A. (Ed.). (2011). Media power in politics (6th ed.). Washington, DC: CQ Press. ISBN:
978-1-60426-610-8
Reading assignments are listed on the Course Calendar below. Readings should be done by the beginning
of class on the day they are listed.
Assignments
Quiz. There will be one quiz, which will consist entirely of questions drawn from the civics test required
of those hoping to become naturalized U.S. citizens. All questions are open-ended. Students can study for
the quiz by following the link on Canvas to a site that lists all the possible questions/answers.
Examinations. There will be two exams. Each exam will combine various types of questions (e.g., T/F,
multiple choice, identification, short answer, essay) to assess students’ understanding of the material
presented in class and assigned readings. The second exam may be partially cumulative. Both exams are
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closed book/note. Dates are not subject to change by request, except in cases of officially sanctioned
university activity or religious obligation (in which case at least 2 weeks prior notice is required).
Media Analysis Paper. Near the end of the semester students will complete a 7-9 page paper based on two
months of media analysis. Students will choose a news source to monitor, present to the class regular
updates on its coverage of politics and, finally, analyze this coverage in a paper. A detailed assignment
sheet will be made available well in advance of the due date. You are expected to work alone on your
paper; collaboration is not permitted.
Participation. Success in this course will require active participation. Active participation includes not
only being in class (on time), but also regularly contributing to discussion, successfully completing inclass activities (e.g., short response papers, brief speaking activities), and treating your classmates with
respect. Engaging in inappropriate or disrespectful behavior during class (e.g., sleeping, working on
assignments for other courses, surfing the web, texting) will substantially decrease your participation
score. If you regularly miss class or are habitually tardy (i.e., more than two or three times during the
semester), you should expect to do poorly on the participation portion of your course grade. Per university
policy, students missing class for an officially sanctioned university activity or religious obligation will be
permitted to make up missed assignments.
*Note for Graduate Students (COMM 6200). Graduate students are expected to complete the quiz and
participation portions of the course described above. In lieu of the exams and media analysis paper,
however, they will be expected to complete a research paper on a specific aspect of political
communication that interests them. Early in the semester, each graduate student should schedule a
meeting with the instructor to discuss the parameters of the paper.
Grading
Grades are determined on the basis of one quiz (5%), two exams (25% for Exam 1; 35% for Exam 2), the
media analysis paper (25%), and participation (10%). However, students who feel they do not test well
and would therefore prefer to have a lower percentage of their grade based on the exams can discuss with
the instructor an adjustment that includes writing an additional paper.
Please note that grades on individual assignments are not curved. However, if at the end of the semester
the class average is below 75%, grades will be adjusted to meet that average. The grading scale is:
A 93 or above
A- 90 – 92
B+ 87 – 89
B 83 – 86
B- 80 – 82
C+ 77 – 79
C 73 – 76
C- 70 – 72
D+ 67 – 69
D 63 – 66
D- 60 – 62
E 59 or below
Students who score lower than 50% on a given assignment will be assigned a grade of 50%, so that one
low score does not too severely jeopardize their chance of passing the course. However, cheating or
failing to hand in an assignment/exam both result in a score of 0%. Please note that this policy applies
only to assignments that are submitted/delivered, not to participation.
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Late Assignments and Missed Exams
Late assignments and missed examinations will be dealt with at the instructor’s discretion and will receive
dramatically reduced grades. You should notify the instructor of any problems as soon as they occur.
Except in cases of officially sanctioned university activities or religious obligations (where prior approval
from the instructor has been provided), makeup examinations are given only in those rare cases where a
documented emergency outside of the student’s control causes the student to miss the scheduled exam.
Makeup exams consist entirely of essay questions and, because the student has had additional time to
reflect on the material, are designed to be somewhat more difficult than the scheduled exam.
Email Address
Each student is required to update and maintain a current email address on the University Campus
Information System (CIS). This will allow me to send class or individual emails regarding assignments,
cancelled classes, changes in the schedule or syllabus, and other notices of importance. To update or add
your current email address, go to the CIS login page at http://go.utah.edu, sign on with your uNID and
password, and click on “Change Email” in the “Update Student Profile” box.
Student Conduct
All students will be strictly held to the standards of conduct and academic integrity set forth in the
University’s Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities. Students are advised to carefully review this
code (available at http://regulations.utah.edu/academics/6-400.php). Please also note that audio or video
recording during class is not allowed without the instructor’s written consent.
Close attention during lecture and careful note-taking are assumed; students who willfully fail in these
basic tasks surrender their right to additional help from the instructor. What this means is that during
lecture you should not be doing anything but attending to lecture. If you are texting, surfing the web, etc.,
you are knowingly giving up your right to request any clarifications or assistance from the instructor.
Because such assistance is often beneficial, students are advised to turn off their phones and keep their
web browsers closed during class.
Please note that if at any point during the semester the instructor judges the classroom learning
environment to be negatively affected by students’ use of laptop computers or other personal electronics,
he reserves the right to prohibit students from using such devices in class.
Content Accommodation
The University of Utah recognizes that students’ sincerely-held core beliefs might make it difficult for
students to fulfill some requirements of some courses or majors. It is the student’s obligation to
determine, before the last day to drop courses without penalty, when course requirements conflict with the
student’s sincerely-held core beliefs. If such accommodations are desired, students should carefully
review the university policy (available at http://admin.utah.edu/facdev/pdf/accommodations-policybackground.pdf) and consult with the instructor.
Disability Accommodation
The University of Utah seeks to provide equal access to its programs, services, and activities for people
with disabilities. If you need accommodation in this class, reasonable prior notice must be given to the
Center for Disability Services, 162 Olpin Union Bldg, 801-581-5020 (V/TDD), http://disability.utah.edu.
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CDS will work with you and the instructor to make arrangements for accommodations. All written
information in this course can be made available in an alternative format with prior notification to the
Center for Disability Services.
Addressing Sexual Misconduct
Title IX makes it clear that violence and harassment based on sex and gender (which includes sexual
orientation and gender identity/expression) is a Civil Rights offense subject to the same kinds of
accountability and the same kinds of support applied to offenses against other protected categories such as
race, national origin, color, religion, age, status as a person with a disability, veteran’s status or genetic
information. If you or someone you know has been harassed or assaulted, you are encouraged to report it
to the Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action (135 Park
Building, 801-581-8365) or to the Office of the Dean of Students (270 Union Building, 801-5817066). For support and confidential consultation, contact the Center for Student Wellness (426 SSB, 801581-7776). To report to the police, call the Department of Public Safety at 801-585-2677.
Course Calendar
This schedule is tentative. Any changes will be announced in class or via email.
Note: MP = Media Power in Politics
Date
Topic
Reading
Tues., Jan. 13
Course Introduction
Thurs., Jan. 15
Media, Politics…and Team Sports
Tues., Jan. 20
Political Com in a Democracy
Thurs., Jan. 22
Political Com in a Democracy
Tues., Jan. 27
News Audiences
Quiz
Thurs., Jan. 29
News Audiences
MP: 101-108
Tues., Feb. 3
Construction of News
MP: 57-65
Thurs., Feb. 5
Construction of News
MP: 421-429
Tues., Feb. 10
Construction of News
MP: 33-43
Thurs., Feb. 12
Construction of News
Tues., Feb. 17
Video: Good Night, and Good Luck
Thurs., Feb. 19
News Bias
Tues., Feb. 24
Exam Review
Thurs., Feb. 26
Exam 1
MP: 395-404
COMM 5200/6200
Tues., Mar. 3
Political Com & the Internet
MP: 45-53
Thurs., Mar. 5
Political Com & the Internet
MP: 293-300
Tues., Mar. 10
Political Com Effects
MP: 19-28
Thurs., Mar. 12
Political Com Effects
MP: 337-342
Tues., Mar. 17
NO CLASS: Spring Break
Thurs., Mar. 19
NO CLASS: Spring Break
Tues., Mar. 24
Political Campaigns
MP: 225-234
Thurs., Mar. 26
Political Campaigns
MP: 185-192
Tues., Mar. 31
Social Groups & Political Com
Thurs., Apr. 2
Social Groups & Political Com
Tues., Apr. 7
Pop Culture and Politics
MP: 113-125
Thurs., Apr. 9
Political Com in Wartime
MP: 327-334
Tues., Apr. 14
Political Com & Scandals
Thurs., Apr. 16
Students’ Choice: Topic TBA
Tues., Apr. 21
Exam Review
Thurs., Apr. 23
Exam 2
Tues., Apr. 28
Media Analysis Paper Due (No late papers accepted)
Please note that your continued enrollment in this course constitutes an
agreement to abide by the policies and procedures explained in this syllabus.
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