Chabot College
December 1999
Course Outline for Mass Communications 31
INTRODUCTION TO BROADCASTING
Catalog Description:
31 - Introduction to Broadcasting
3 units
Radio and television from the earliest years to the present as well as the public's role in broadcasting.
Social, ethical, regulatory and economic facets of the industry. 3 hours.
[Typical contact hours: 52.5]
Prerequisite Skills:
None
Expected Outcomes for Students:
Upon completion of the course the student should be able to:
1. be acquainted with the radio and television industries through study of the history of broadcasting;
2. be aware of programming practices; regulation, and station management;
3. understand the impact of the media on our society from the standpoint of business, education, and
politics.
Course Content:
1. Growth of radio
a. Origin of networks
b. Early programming
c. Regulating principles
2. Radio programming today
3. Radio station operation
4. Growth of television
a. Origins
b. Early programming
c. Regulating principles
5. Television programming today
6. Television station operation
7. Educational television
8. Networks today
9. Cable broadcasting
10. Subscription broadcasting
11. Careers in broadcasting
12. Social aspects of broadcasting
a. Economics
b. Culture
c. Ethics
d. Entertainment
13. The Federal Communications Commission
a. Functions
b. Composition
14. The public interest
a. The basic theory of broadcasting
b. Radio and television as media of free speech
c. FCC statements of policy
15. Politics and broadcasting
a. The law and political broadcasting
Chabot College
Course Outline for Mass Communications 31, Page 2
December 1999
b. Coverage of political events
16. The economics of broadcasting
a. Advertising and agencies
b. Problems posed by advertising
c. The audience
1. Research and surveys
2. Ratings - how they are attained and what they mean
17. Comparative broadcast systems
a. Types of systems
b. Radio and television in Great Britain
c. Radio and television in Canada
d. Other systems
e. Growth of international broadcasting
1. Radio and World War II
2. International broadcasting since World War II
3. Communications satellites
Methods of Presentation:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Lecture
Discussion
Student presentations
Audio-visual aids
Homework assignments
Research project
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
1. Typical Assignments
a. Oral presentations of group research and discussion
b. Written definition of ethics and explanation of their individual ethics
c. Written analysis of ethical issues presented in a video
d. Primary and secondary research term paper
e. Oral report on term paper
2. Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
a. Class participation in analyzing topics of discussion based on instructor observation of the
extent to which students apply the techniques of media analysis
b. Quality of research
c. Quality of verbal presentations
d. Written tests
e. Final exam
Textbook(s) (Typical):
Telecommunications: An Introduction to Electronic Media, Lynne S. Gross, Wm. C. Brown Co., 2000
Special Student Materials:
None
dk 01/14/00
D:\LAH\CURRICUL\FALL99\MC31_REV.DOC