Spring 2015 CN#33138
Fridays, 7-10:10am, Room
UU180
COM001
Instructor: Sarah Willer
E-Mail: swiller@pcc.edu
Survey in Mass
Phone: 661-972-2434
Communication
Office Hours: Fridays 10:30am-
Office: Room CA312
11am
Overview
Required Textbook
This course will take an in-depth look at the concept of mass
Title: Mass Communication:
media as information distributors; print media, radio and
Living in a Media World
television broadcasting, motion pictures, public relations, sales
Year: 2010
and advertising. Students will understand the rights and
responsibilities of media under the First Amendment, their
own affect on media, and how this information can be put to
use to positively shape their futures. Author: Ralph E. Hanson
Publisher: CQ Press
Edition: 3rd edition
ISBN-10: 1604266007
Class Policies

Classes will not be recorded unless special
arrangements are made with the instructor’s
approval.




Cell phones should be turned off until break times.
January 23
Introductory paper due (1-2
participating in class.
pgs.)
Students are responsible for adding/dropping
course.
February 13
Students who miss two classes without contacting
Media use paper due (3-4
the professor will be automatically dropped from
pgs.)
Students receive participation points each class
session. Points will be deducted for tardiness and
absences.

Important Dates
Laptops can only be used for purposes of
the course.

ISBN-13: 978-1604266009
March 20
Midterm test
Assignments will be turned in at the beginning of
Survey in Mass Communication
1
class. If an assignment is turned in before the end
of class, it will be worth half credit. The
May 8
assignment will be deducted 5% per hour it is not
Final papers due (5-6 pgs.)
turned in after class.
In-class presentations
Grade Evaluation
5% Introductory Paper
10% Media Use Paper
20% Midterm Test
20% Final Paper
20% Final Presentation
25% Class Participation
Academic Integrity
Students are expected to behave honorably in an academic environment. Academic dishonesty,
including cheating, fabrication, facilitating academic dishonesty and plagiarism, will not be
tolerated. Plagiarism is the intentional or unintentional presentation of another person’s idea or
product as one’s own. Students can avoid unintentional plagiarism by following carefully accepted
scholarly practices. Notes taken for papers and research projects should accurately record sources of
material to be cited, quoted, paraphrased, or summarized, and papers should acknowledge these
sources. The penalties for plagiarism include a zero or a grade of “F” on the work in question, a
grade of “F” in the course, suspension, or expulsion (Paraphrased from Dr. Shen, 2012).
Course Goals
I. The media of mass communications
II. Writing news for broadcasting and newspapers
III. History and development of mass media
IV. Economics of Mass Communications
V. Interviewing Techniques
VI. Features for mass media
Survey in Mass Communication
2
VII. Elements of mass communication
VIII. The People's Right to Know--Freedom of the Press and Speech
IX. Editorial Policy and Ethics; writing the editorial, replies from consumer
X. Libel and Slander; invasion of privacy
XI. Qualifications for success as a communicator; opportunities for employment
XII. The future of mass communication media
Class Schedule & Readings
January 16 Course Introduction; Brief Overview of Mass Communication: Media vs. Society
Group Discussion: The influence of media: Which came first, the chicken or the egg?
January 23 Living in a Media World: The Media of Mass Communication
Due today: Introductory Paper (1-2 pages)
Reading for today: Chapter 1: Living in a Media World (pp.2-41).
January 30 No class: Take this time to write your Media Use Paper
Due today: Chapter Summary (2 pages, double spaced, times new roman 12pt. font. This counts
toward your participation grade).
Reading for today: Chapter 4: Books: The Birth of Mass Media (pp.114-149).
February 6: Magazines: The Power of Words and Images
Reading for today: Chapter 5: Magazines: The Power of Words and Images (pp.150-181).
February 13: No class: President’s Day Weekend
Due today: Media Use Paper (3-4 pages)
Due today: Chapter Summary (2 pages, double spaced, times new roman 12pt. font. This counts
toward your participation grade).
Survey in Mass Communication
3
Readings for today: Chapter 6: Newspapers and the News: Reflection of a Democratic Society (pp.182219).
February 20: Movies and Television: Broadcast and Beyond
Readings for today: Chapter 8: Movies: Mass Producing Entertainment (pp.264-301) & Chapter 9:
Television: Broadcast & Beyond (pp.302-339).
February 27: The Internet: Mass Communication Gets Personal
Reading for today: Chapter 10: The Internet: Mass Communication Gets Personal (pp.340-377).
March 6: Advertising and Public Relations: Interactions, Relationships, and the News
Readings for today: Chapter 11: Advertising: Selling a Message (pp.378-413) & Chapter 12: Public
Relations: Interactions, Relationships, and the News (pp.414-447).
March 13: No class: Spring Break
Due today: Use this time to study for your midterm! I will email out a study guide with concepts to
review.
March 20: MIDTERM
March 27: Mass Communication Effects: How Society and Media Interact
Reading for today: Chapter 2: Mass Communication Effects: How Society and Media Interact (pp.4273).
April 3: The Media Business: Consolidation, Globalization, and the Long Tail
Reading for today: Chapter 3: The Media Business: Consolidation, Globalization, and the Long Tail
(pp.74-113).
April 10: Media Law: Free Speech and Fairness
Reading for today: Chapter 13: Media Law: Free Speech and Fairness (pp.448-483).
April 17: Media Ethics: Truthfulness, Fairness, and Standards of Democracy
Survey in Mass Communication
4
Reading for today: Chapter 14: Media Ethics: Truthfulness, Fairness, and Standards of Democracy
(pp.484-521).
April 24: Global Media: Communication Around the World
Reading for today: Chapter 15: Global Media: Communication Around the World (pp.522-556).
May 1: TEAM DAY
May 8: FINAL
Due today: Final Papers
In class: Final Presentaitons
Survey in Mass Communication
5