Introduction to Mass Communication
COMM 1307
FALL 2011 (52955), Wednesday 6-9 PM
Instructor: Laura Lemburg
E-mail: Laura.Lemburg@hccs.edu
Office Hours: By appointment
Credit Hours: 3
Lecture Hours: 3
Total Course Contact Hours: 48
Course Length: 12 weeks
Type of Instruction: Lecture
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Analyzes communication theory and mass media in 20th century society. This course surveys
history, operation and structure of the American communication system. The course identifies
major legal, ethical, and socio-cultural issue and examines basic communication theory and the
interrelations between media and the individual, media and society and media and the future. It
examines career potential and job prospects in modern and future electronic cultures.
COURSE PREREQUISITES:
Must be placed into college-level reading (or take GUST 0342 as a co-requisite) and be placed
into college-level writing (or take ENGL 0310/0349 as a co-requisite).
ACADEMIC/DISCIPLINE/CTE PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES:
1. Apply elemental competency in the operation of selected media
2. Understand and explain the term mass communication
3. Describe the development of print media, radio, television, and film
4. Provide a chronology of milestones relevant to the advancement of media from their onset to
present
COURSE STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
1. Understand the definition of mass communication
2. Learn the functions of the mass media
3. Examine the development of print and broadcast media, the recording
industry, film industry and digital media
4. Comprehend the correlation between various media
5. Grasp the implications of the electronic media and the Internet on the
future of mass communication
REQUIRED TEXT:
Biagi, S. (2012). Media/Impact: An Introduction to Mass Media. 10th Ed. Boston: Wadsworth.
IBN: 978-1-111-34636-2
EXPECTATIONS:
Attendance: Attendance will be taken every class. If you have more than two absences, you
will be dropped.
Punctuality: Please be in class by 6 p.m. to avoid disruptions to the class and missing
important information. Quizzes will be given at the beginning of class, and if you are more than
20 minutes late, you will not be allowed to take the quiz.
Respect: Please respect others by turning off your cell phones when you come to class.
Honesty: If you are caught cheating on exams or plagiarizing (using another person’s words,
information or ideas), you will receive an automatic zero on that assignment. Other punishments
could include a failing grade in the course and/or recommendation for suspension or expulsion.
DISABILITIES:
Houston Community College is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitations Act of 1973 (Section 504). Any student with a documented
disability (ex. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange
reasonable accommodations must contact the Disability Support Services Office at the
respective college at the beginning of the semester.
Faculty members are authorized to provide only the accommodations requested by the
Disability Support Services Office.
GRADES:
There will be quizzes on the chapter material. Your lowest two quiz grades will be dropped.
There will also be in-class and Web assignments. The last day to drop with a “W” is November
11.
Grading Policy:
HCC Grading Scale:
Quizzes 75%
Assignments 20%
Attendance/Participation 5%
90-100
80-89
70-79
60-69
A
B
C
D
Below 59 F
Fall 2011 Calendar
Week
Date
Assignments
1
9/28
Welcome/Introduction to COMM 1307
Chapter 1: Mass Media and Everyday Life
2
10/5
Chapter 2: Books: Rearranging the Page
3
10/12
Quiz 1-Ch. 2
Chapter 3: Newspapers: Expanding Delivery
Chapter 4: Magazines: Targeting the Audience
4
10/19
Quiz 2-Ch.3 and 4
Chapter 5: Recordings: Demanding Choices
5
10/26
Quiz 3- Ch. 5
Chapter 6: Radio: Riding the Wave
6
11/2
Quiz 4- Ch. 6
Chapter 7: Movies: Picturing the Future
7
11/9
Quiz 5-Ch. 7
Chapter 8: Television: Changing Channels
8
11/16
Quiz 6-Ch. 8
Chapter 9: Digital Media: Widening the Web
Chapter 12: News and Information: Getting Personal
9
11/23
Thanksgiving Holiday---NO CLASS
10
11/30
Quiz 7- Ch. 9 and 12
Chapter 10: Advertising: Motivating Customers
Chapter 11: Public Relations: Promoting Ideas
11
12/7
Quiz 8- Ch. 10 and 11
Chapter 13: Society, Culture, and Politics: Shaping the Issues
12
12/14
Quiz 9- Ch. 13 and 14
Chapter 14: Law and Regulation: Rewriting the Rules
Chapter 15: Ethics: Placing Responsibility