FALL 2025
Distance Learning Course Design Outline
JRN 103 Section Z01
3 Credits
Course Description:
An introduction to the mass media: The role, content, effects, and responsibilities of
newspapers, magazines, books, radio, television, and films are studied.
Prerequisite(s):
None
Co-requisite(s):
None
Class Schedule:
September 2, 2025 – December 8, 2025
Course Assignment Due Dates
Assignment #1 First Test due September 12, 2025
Assignment #2 Second Test September 26, 2025
Assignment #3 Advertising Analysis Paper #1 due October 10, 2025
Assignment #4 Third Test due October 24, 2025
Assignment #5 Fourth Test due November 7, 2025
Assignment #6 Mass Media Paper #2 due November 21, 2025
Assignment #7 Fifth Test due December 12, 2025
Name:
Phone:
E-mail:
Office:
Office Hours:
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Instructor Information:
Ricky V. Burgess
412-237-2674 office
rburgess@acd.ccac.edu
320 A Milton Hall
by appointment via phone or ZOOM
Course Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able
to:
Students will learn about the evolution and growth of
various forms of mass media.
Hillman Grant
updated 9/2/2025
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Students will be introduced to the latest technology
associated with the mass media forms.
Students will be made aware of copyright infringement,
sensationalism, libel and censorship issues.
Students will review the international status of media
forms and their impact in the political, social, and
economic arenas
Students will demonstrate comprehension of mass media
theories through sampling
Teaching Methods:
This is a Distance Learning Course. Students will meet the course objectives through on
line PowerPoint lectures, readings, learning activities, assignments, and use of the
discussion board.
Required Text:
Required Materials:
Mass Communication Media, and Culture located on
the Blackboard course site
Computer Usage:
This is a Distance Learning course. It is designed so that you will be working back and
forth between your course materials and the Internet to complete the required learning
activities. To complete this course you must have use of a computer with access to
the Internet. You will also be required to use your CCAC academic e-mail account
at times. It is your responsibility to upload your assignments (Advertising and
Mass Media Analysis Papers) to the Blackboard/Connect course site. But if for
any reason you are unable to upload papers an compete exams on the
Blackboard/Connect course site YOU CAN NOT PASS THIS CLASS!
Technical Requirements:
Specific computer hardware requirements are:
CPU running at 350Mhz or faster
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Minimum of 64 MB RAM
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500 MB hard drive space

CD-ROM drive
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56Kbps modem, broadband or DSL connection
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Specific software requirements are:
Windows XP operating system
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Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher recommended
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with Java enabled and cookies accepted
Microsoft PowerPoint 2003
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Microsoft Word 2003
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Hillman Grant
updated 9/2/2025
Resources:
Distance Learning Website:
www.ccac.edu Select DISTANCE LEARNING from the left
menu.
Blackboard Course Access:
Distance Learning Support:
Online referral service:
Tutoring:
Online Book Ordering:
http://courses.ccac.edu
412-237-8700
dlsupport@ccac.edu
www.tutoring-ccac.net
www.ccac.edu Choose Buy a book online on the Quick
Find function on the homepage.
Other services available: Consult the Distance Learning Website
Computer Lab Hours:
Students can use computer labs at any CCAC campus or center. A photo
ID is required to enter the Computer Lab. Students must follow posted
guidelines regarding computer use. Computer Lab hours are posted
each semester for each campus and center. Please consult these
postings if planning on using the computer lab. Students are required
to sign in when using a computer lab.
Evaluation:
ASSIGNMENT COMPLETION:
ALL ASSIGNMENTS including Research Papers and Exams MUST be submitted via
the Blackboard course site. DO NOT email assignments. Any alternative method of
assignment submission must be PREAPPROVED by the instructor.
EXAMS:
The five tests will have a combination of questions including, true false and multiple
choice. The exams will take approximately one hour to complete; these exams are
taken on the Blackboard site. They are timed and you must respond to a statement that
indicates that you (the registered student and no one else) are taking the exam and that
you understand you are honor-bound not to use notes, not to make copies of the exam,
or engage in any type of academic dishonesty. The Blackboard system allows you to
take the exams only once and view and respond to each question only once. So once
the exams become available, do not open or take the exams until you are prepared to
complete them. If you violate any of these testing policies, you will fail the exam and
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Hillman Grant
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course. Exams are available only for short periods of time on the Blackboard, so pay
attention to the schedule and postings.
PAPERS:
The Two Research Papers must be typed and presented in accordance with standard
formats (MLA, etc.). At a minimum, your Advertising paper should make use of at least
five sources, one of which may be your course text. At a minimum, your Final Mass
Media paper should make use of at least five sources, one of which may be your
course text. You should list the advertisements or mass media artifacts you discuss in
your Bibliography, but they are not part of your required five sources. There is an
abundance of resource material available in libraries, bookstores and on the Internet.
Be very careful with Internet sources. Some are legitimate and quite helpful; many are
not. Do not use more than two Internet sources. You want to reference only those sites
that have academic merit. Your reading materials will provide a variety of possible
topics for research papers. Academic dishonesty in the paper will cause failure.
Since this is an introductory course, these papers will be graded more on research
(Baran and other outside sources!), thought conception and originality more than
grammar and style. However, you should make every effort to improve as a writer
during this class, and use such computer-assisted methods as grammar and spell
check to make your papers more “presentable.” I will take off points if I believe you are
not making an effort in this regard, as well as if you are not making a concerted
effort in understanding necessary details regarding the subject matter itself.
These papers are not long; in fact, I would prefer brevity. Some of the best writing takes
place in the copyediting stage. Remember, mass media writing demands conciseness
and thoroughness. I want your original thoughts, preferably grounded in theories
supported by past experts in the field with appropriate citations when making
your case. You must cite and utilize each source including footnotes or endnotes
at least once in the paper. I don’t want a history/book report, but a fresh
perspective from the student supported by your research!
GRADING PERCENTAGE:
Advertising Paper
Final Paper
First Exam
Second Exam
Third Exam
Fourth Exam
Final Exam
20 points
20 points
12 points
12 points
12 points
12 Points
12 points
Total earned points
100 points
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Hillman Grant
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Incomplete grades are given VERY sparingly. No requests will be considered
until a student has completed at least Six of the Seven graded projects (for
example, completion of the exams and advertising paper). If approved, course
work must then be completed on a schedule determined by the instructor, which
may be more restrictive than the College Academic Calendar.
Grading:
Your final grade is based on a total accumulation of points.
A = 90 -100 points
B = 80 – 89 points
C = 70 – 79 points
D = 60 – 69 points
Technical Assistance:
Phone: 412-237-6517
Other Policies and Procedures:
1. Proceed to the course’s Blackboard site. Navigate through the buttons on the left
menu to become familiar with the layout of this course, click the Syllabus button
to review course syllabus, read the Standard Questions and Answers and the
Guidelines for Written Work documents and then proceed to Course Documents
to begin your course work.
2. Buy or rent access to the Textbook and begin your reading as identified in the
syllabus course schedule.
3. Compete the First Exam
4. Complete the Second Exam
5. Submit a 3-5 page research paper on an advertising campaign with a minimum
of four sources. Requirements and directions for this assignment are found in the
“Course Documents” area of the Blackboard.
6. Complete the Third Exam
7. Complete the Fourth Exam.
8. Submit a 3-5 page research paper critically describing and analyzing some
aspect of the mass media with a minimum of six sources. Requirements and
directions for this assignment are found in the “Course Documents” area of the
Blackboard.
9. Complete the Final (Fifth) Exam.
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Hillman Grant
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10. THERE IS NO EXTRA CREDIT AND ALL SEVEN COURSE ASSIGNMENTS (5
EXAMS and 2 PAPERS) MUST BE COMPLETED IN ORDER TO RECEIVE AT
LEAST A “C” GRADE IN THIS COURSE.
General Information
Several assumptions are being made about you when you take this course. One is that
you are an independent learner and that you are capable of establishing disciplined
study habits. Students who wait until the last minute to complete assignments are not
likely to do well in this kind of course.
I have made several references to academic honesty and behavior. You should refer to
the Student Handbook and “Student Regulations” (found in several places in hard cover
format and on CCAC’s website). However, ignorance of these rules or failure to read
this syllabus carefully does not excuse you from the consequences of engaging in
inappropriate conduct which includes cheating, plagiarism, disrespect and any other
breach of integrity. All of my students are worthy of respect, but when I find academic
breaches, I deal with them harshly. Students will fail all assignments that demonstrate
academic misconduct and, depending upon the severity of the incident, students may
fail the course as a result of a single mishap.
It is assumed that you realize, or will come to realize very quickly, that the mass media
is worthy of serious study. We will be approaching the mass media critically and that will
enhance the understanding and pleasure you derive from these mediums.
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Hillman Grant
updated 9/2/2025
Course Plan:
Lesson/Topics
Learning Activities
Interactivities/Practice
Assignments
Assessment
Unit/Dates
Unit 1
Week of
September
1, 2025
The Lost Cell Phone
Intersection of American
Media and Culture
How Did We Get Here?
The Evolution of Culture
Course
Assignment #1
Read: Intro to Mass Communication,
Media and Culture
Chapter One: Media and Culture
View the Course
Supplementary Material
First Exam
Study for the first
exam covering
Chapters #1, #4
and #14
How Did We Get Here?
The Evolution of Media
Media Mix - Convergence
Cultural Values Shape
Media; Media Shape
Cultural Values
Mass Media and Popular
Culture
Media Literacy
Unit 2
Week of
September
8, 2025
Ethical Issues in Mass
Media
Read: Intro to Mass
Communication, Media and Culture
News Media and Ethics
Chapter Fourteen: Ethics of Mass
media
: Ethical Considerations of
the Online World
History of Newspapers
Course
Assignment
#1
View the Course
Supplementary Material
First Exam
Chapter 4: Newspapers
Study for the
first exam
covering
Chapters #1,
#4 and #14
Different Styles and Models
of Journalism
How Newspapers Control
the Public’s Access
to Information and Impact
American Pop Culture
Current Popular Trends in
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the Newspaper Industry
Online Journalism Redefines
News
Unit 3
Week of
September
15, 2025
History of Magazine
Publishing
Read: Intro to Mass Communication,
Media and Culture
The Role of Magazines in
the Development of
American Popular Culture
Chapter Five: Magazines
View the Course
Supplementary Material
Course
Assignment #2
Second Exam
Study for the first
exam covering
Chapters #3, #5
and #12
Major Publications in the
Magazine IndustryHow
Magazines Control the
Public’s Access to
Information
Specialization of
Magazines
Influence of the Internet on
the Magazine Industry
Unit 4
Week of
September
22, 2025
History of Books
Books and the
Development of U.S.
Popular Culture
Major Book Formats
Read: Intro to Mass Communication,
Media and Culture
Course
Assignment
#2
View the Course
Supplementary Material
Chapter Three: Books
Chapter Twelve: Advertising and Public
Relations
Second Exam
Study for the
first exam
covering
Chapters #3,
#5 and #12
Current Publishing Trends
The Influence of New
Technology
: Public Relations
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Unit 5
Unit #5
Week of
September
29, 2025
The Evolution of Popular
Music The Reciprocal
Nature of Music and
Culture
Read: Intro to Mass Communication,
Media and Culture
Current Popular Trends in
the Music Industry
Chapter Seven: Radio
View the Course
Supplementary Material
Chapter Six: Music
Course
Assignment #3
Prepare and
Submit the
Advertising Paper
: Influence of New
Technology
Evolution of Radio
Broadcasting
Radio Station Formats
Radio’s Impact on Culture
Radio’s New Future
Unit 6
Read: Intro to Mass Communication,
Media and Culture
View the Course
Supplementary Material
Complete
Practice Test
for Chapter
Seven
Week of
October 6,
2025
Course
Assignment #3
Prepare and
Submit the
Advertising
Paper
The History of Movies
Unit 7
Movies and Culture
: Issues and Trends in Film
Week of
October 13,
2025
The Influence of New
Technology
Read: Intro to Mass Communication,
Media and Culture
Chapter Eight: Movies
.
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.
View the Course
Supplementary Material
Course
Assignment #4
Third Exam
Study for the
Third exam
updated 9/2/2025
covering Chapters
#6, #7, #8 and
#9,
Unit 8
The Evolution of Television
Week of
October 20,
2025
The Relationship Between
Television and Culture
Read: Intro to Mass Communication,
Media and Culture
Course
Assignment
#4 Third Exam
View the Course
Supplementary Material
Chapter Nine: Television
Study for the
Third exam
covering
Chapters #6,
#7, #8 and #9
Issues and Trends in the
Television Industry
: Influence of New
Technologies
Unit 9
Week of
October 27,
2025
The Evolution of the
Internet
Read: Intro to Mass Communication,
Media and Culture
Social Media and Web 2.0
Chapter Eleven: The Internet
The Effects of the Internet
and Globalization on
Popular Culture and
Interpersonal
Communication
View the Course
Supplementary Material
Course
Assignment #5
Fourth Exam
Study for the third
exam covering
Chapters #2, #10
and #11
Chapter Two: Media Effects
Issues and Trends
Mass Media and Its
Messages
Media Effects Theories
: Methods of Researching
Media Effects
Media Studies
Controversies
Unit 10
Week of
Npvember
Electronic Games and
Entertainment
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Read: Intro to Mass Communication,
Media and Culture
Course
Assignment
#5 Fourth
View the Course
Supplementary Material
Chapter Ten: Electronic Games
updated 9/2/2025
3, 2025
Exam
: The Evolution of
Electronic Games
Study for the
fourth exam
covering
Chapters #2,
#10 and #11
: Influential Contemporary
Games
The Impact of Video
Games on Culture
Controversial Issues
Blurring the Boundaries
Between Video Games,
Information, Entertainment,
and Communication
Unit 11
Week of
November
10, 2025
Characteristics of Media
Industries
Read: Intro to Mass Communication,
Media and Culture
: The Internet’s Effects on
Media Economies
Chapter Thirteen: Economics of Mass
Media
Digital Divide in a Global
Economy
.
View the Course
Supplementary Material
Course
Assignment #6
Prepare and
Submit the Final
Paper
Information Economy
Globalization of Media
Cultural Imperialism
Government Regulation of
Media
Read: Intro to Mass Communication,
Media and Culture
The Law and Mass Media
Messages
Chapter Fifteen: Media and
Government
Course
Assignment
#6 Course
Assignment
Prepare and
Submit The
Final Paper
View the Course
Supplementary Material
Unit 12
Weeks of
November
17, 2025
Censorship and Freedom
of Speech
Intellectual Property Issues
in the Mass Media
Digital Democracy and Its
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Possible Effects
Media Influence on Laws
and Government
Unit 13
Week of
December 1,
2025
Changes in Media Over the
Last Century
Read: Intro to Mass Communication,
Media and Culture
Information Delivery
Methods
Chapter Sixteen: The Future of
Mass Media
Modern Media DeliveryPros and Cons
View the Course
Supplementary Material
Course
Assignment #7
Final Exam
Study for the Final
Exam covering
Chapters #13,# 15
and #16
Current Trends in
Electronic Media
Privacy Laws and the
Impact of Digital
Surveillance
Mass Media, New
Technology, and the Public
Unit 14
Course
Assignment
#7 Final Exam
Week of
December 8,
2025
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Study for the
Final Exam
covering
Chapters #13,
#15 and #16
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3
Other Policies and Procedures:
Preparation Time: To succeed in this class, you must schedule time for
reading, Internet use, activities and for practice and
lessons on a computer.
Late Assignment Policy Detailed Explanation for Mr. Burgess’ Classes
In general, there are no excuses, just reasons, for late assignment submission
and some are better than others. Should an assignment be missed or turned in
late due to a major, documented, EMERGENCY, the instructor may opt to forgo
the grade penalty if acceptable documentation is provided. Funerals are not
considered to be emergencies but, in conjunction with your attendance history,
may be considered as a reason for absence. Funerals can be excused only with
advance notice and only for immediate relatives. For all late assignment
submissions, the more you have, the less likely I am to excuse them. The more
timely your notification, the more likely I am to give latitude. Attempts to excuse
late assignments by scheduling procedures, either legal or medical, that can
legitimately be scheduled at other times, even though documented, will not be
accepted and grade reductions will still be issued. Acceptance of written
documents to excuse late or missed assignments is done solely at the discretion
of the instructor. However, the absence will still be counted. If illness is causing
you to miss assignment submission dates, you should consider a medical
withdrawal. Please contact the Supportive Services Office regarding medical
withdrawal. Reserve and active duty military personnel are commended for their
service, but should you be called to duty during the semester, I can only give a
little latitude as you must still be here to complete the work in accordance with
course requirements. If your call to service becomes extended, contact the Dean
of Students Office immediately. Again, timely notification is crucial. Where it
can, the College works to provide refunds when education is halted beyond your
control. But that decision is not the instructors; only the Dean’s office can make
that decision. I can make no guarantees in that regard and unless otherwise
handled by the College, I must count the absences. Students who already know
that they will be absent for scheduled vacations, military duty, work conflicts and
family conflicts serve themselves better by reconsidering their priorities and
rescheduling classes at a time when school can be a priority. What you are
saying to the instructor is, my vacation is more important than this class, my work
is more important than this class, etc. That is not a good message to send.
Student Academic Conduct
Please review the Student Code of Academic Conduct printed in the Student
Handbook.
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
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The college recognizes its responsibility to provide academic and nonacademic
services and programs equally to individuals with and without disabilities. To this
end, the college provides reasonable accommodations for qualified students and
employees with documented disabilities consistent with the requirements of the
Americans with Disabilities Act, sections 503 & 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and
other federal, state and local laws and regulations. The college maintains an
Office of Supportive Services for students with disabilities to receive, review and
evaluate requests from students who require an accommodation with respect to
their educational program. Students requesting reasonable accommodations due
to a documented disability must first register with the Office of Supportive
Services to obtain official approval.
Attendance Procedure for Pregnancy & Pregnancy Related Conditions
In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, absences due
to pregnancy or related conditions, including recovery from childbirth, shall be
excused for as long as the absences are determined to be medically necessary.
Students who register their pregnancy and/or pregnancy-related conditions with
the Title IX Coordinator will be provided with the opportunity to make up any work
missed as a result of such absences, if possible. For more information or
requests for accommodations, students should inform their instructor(s) and/or
contact Ketwana Schoos, the Civil Rights Compliance Officer/Title IX Coordinator
at 412.237.4542 or kschoos@ccac.edu.
Accommodations for Religious Observances
The college will make reasonable efforts to accommodate students who must be
absent from classes or miss scheduled exams in order to observe a religious
holiday or participate in some other form of religious observance. Students shall
be provided, whenever possible, reasonable opportunity to make up academic
assignments missed due to such absences, unless doing so would create or
impose an undue burden on other students or the College. It shall be the
students’ responsibility to provide written notice via the Request for
Accommodation for Religious Observances Form to every instructor for each
course in which an accommodation is being requested. For more information,
contact Ketwana Schoos, the Civil Rights Compliance Officer/Title IX
Coordinator, at 412.237.4542 or kschoos@ccac.edu.
Chosen First Name Procedure for Students
Many individuals use names other than their legal first name to identify
themselves for a variety of personal and/or cultural reasons. The college seeks to
provide an inclusive and non-discriminatory environment by making it possible for
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students to use a chosen first name on college records when a legal name is not
required. Chosen first names may not be applicable in certain programs due to
the requirements of accreditation organizations and clinical sites. For more
information, please see the Student Handbook (accessible on the Academic
Rules and Regulations website).
During the semester/session, reasonable changes to the course
outline may be academically appropriate; however students will be
notified of these adjustments in a timely manner.
The Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC)
makes
every
effort
to
provide
reasonable
accommodations for students with disabilities.
Questions about services and procedures for students
with disabilities should be directed to the Office of
Supportive Services at your campus.
Rev. Ricky V. Burgess
Instructor Signature
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January 27, 2025
Date