Proposal #
(Academic Affairs use only)
AY12-401 Proposal #
(College use only)
REQUEST FOR UNIVERSITY CORE COURSE
University of Central Oklahoma
Course Subject (Prefix), Number and Title:
Course
Subject
Course
Number
MCOM
2xx3
Please attach a course syllabus
Course Title (maximum of 30 characters—includes spaces and punctuation)
Introduction to Media Studies
Course description as it appears in the appropriate catalog.
Introduction to Media Studies is a survey course covering the history, theory, and criticism of the mass
communication industries from a critical cultural perspective.
Course objectives (Please refer to instructional objectives documents at: http://www.uco.edu/academic-affairs/facultystaff/aacc.asp#FAQ/Helpful%20Hints.)
Course Objective:
Upon completion of the Introduction to Media Studies course, the learner will be able to effectively
critique cultural dimensions of the mass media. Competency will be determined by successful
completion of all assignments and by earning at least 70% of the points available in the course.
Specific or Enabling Objectives:
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:
 Critique their media consumption patterns by developing a media-literate critical perspective in a
world that is increasingly dominated by electronic, aural, and visual messages.
 Demonstrate a basic understanding of the history of radio, television, the Internet, and film.
 Identify forms of violence in film and television and to distinguish between those forms that are
gratuitous and those that have educational potential.
 Demonstrate knowledge of contemporary critiques of the effects of stereotyping in film, television,
radio, and popular music on marginalized groups.
 Become educated and informed producers and consumers of mass mediated messages.
 Demonstrate knowledge of the critical media literacy process and current mass media criticism by
writing a critical media analysis paper.
X Add to Core
Delete from Core
Change Core Area
Select a core area (choose only one)
Written and Oral Communication
Quantitative Reasoning/Scientific Method
Existing
English Composition
Oral Communication
Mathematics
Sciences
Critical Inquiry and Aesthetic Analysis
Critical Inquiry
Aesthetic Analysis
American Historical and Political Analysis
Government
American History
Academic Affairs Form
April, 2011
Proposed
Functional review __________
(undergraduate proposals only)
Cultural and Language Analysis
Second Language
Cultural Analysis
X
Social and Behavioral Analysis
Life Skills
* See end of this form for definition of liberal arts/non liberal arts
Liberal Arts
Non-Liberal Arts
Approved by:
Department Chairperson
Date
College Curriculum Committee Chair
Date
College Dean
Date
Academic Affairs Curriculum Council
Date
Office of Academic Affairs
Date
Effective Term for this inclusion
(Assigned by Academic Affairs)
1. Does this change affect degree requirements for majors or minors outside the department?
X No
Yes
If yes, provide name(s) of department chair(s) contacted, the dates, and the results of the discussion.
2. Does this change affect a teacher preparation program?
Yes
X No
If yes, send copy of proposal to the Associate Dean, College of Education and Professional Studies for
review and provide date the Associate Dean was contacted with discussion results.
Note: If yes, completed proposal requires Council on Teacher Education recommendation.
3. How does this course meet the criteria of a core course in the core area you have specified?
http://www.uco.edu/academic-affairs/files/aacc/forms/DescriptionCoreAreasREVISED42804.pdf.
Indicate how this course being proposed for inclusion in the core differs substantially from those already
present in the core area. What specifically does it offer that the other courses do not?

“Cultural analysis courses should help students recognize and appreciate the collective heritage,
ideas and values of a multicultural world.” The course addresses, through cultural analysis of the
mass media, societal changes in the movement from modernity to postmodernity and the values
associated with these changes. Students will be able to discern why and how certain
peoples/identities have been represented in the media. Examples include the portrayal of African
Americans in early film and the depiction of Muslim and Hispanic peoples in the news and
entertainment media of the Post 9-11 era.

“Courses should include inquiry into the roots of civilizations and present seminal ideas and events
that have shaped the sweep of history.” The course will examine the first feature-length film
representing African Americans, entitled Birth of a Nation (1915), which instantiated racial
stereotypes still in effect today. The course will examine how rock and roll broke down longstanding barriers in our culture between black and white, north and south, masculine and
feminine, and the sacred and secular. The course will show how the most significant medium of all
time, television, presented the Nixon and Kennedy debates, the Vietnam War, and the Oklahoma
City Bombing through flashbulb memories.

“These courses should emphasize the interrelationship between ideas and culture and emphasize
Academic Affairs Form
April, 2011
Functional review __________
(undergraduate proposals only)
critical thinking and reading.” This course is informed by contemporary cultural studies of the
media, which emphasize media literacy through the steps of the critical media literacy process
including description, interpretation, analysis, evaluation, and engagement (what we can do to
change the media environment). The student will exit the course knowing how to interpret and
critically analyze media genres such as reality television, violence and the media and its effects,
the construction of gendered images, the language of MTV and BET, and other selected media
artifacts for critical analysis.
4. For upper level courses, justify why a course with 3000- or 4000-level designation is appropriate for
the Core Curriculum, which is intended to concentrate on 1000- and 2000-level courses.
NA
Mass Communication
Department submitting proposal
Dr. Samuel Lawrence, Assistant Chair
Person to contact with questions
*
x5584
Ext. number
“The liberal arts and sciences are defined as those traditional fields of study in the humanities; social and behavioral sciences;
communications; natural and life sciences, mathematics; and the history, literature, and theory of fine arts (music, art, drama,
dance). Courses in these fields whose primary purpose is directed toward specific occupational or professional objectives, or
courses in the arts which rely substantially on studio or performance work are not considered to be liberal arts and sciences for the
purpose of this policy. Courses required for the General Educational Program are not necessarily synonymous or mutually
exclusive with the liberal arts and sciences.” State Regents Policy and Procedures. Chapter 2, Section 5, “Degree Requirements”
part 1, (2). P. II-2-86
Academic Affairs Form
April, 2011
Functional review __________
(undergraduate proposals only)
Introduction to Media Studies
Syllabus
Department of Mass Communication
3.0 CREDIT HOURS
Professor: Dr. Kole Kleeman
E-mail: kkleeman@uco.edu
Office Hours: M &W 4-6 p.m. T TH 1:45-3:00 p.m.
Office: CB 207 I
Phone: 974-5919
Course Description: Introduction to Media Studies is a survey course covering the history, theory, and
criticism of the mass communication industries from a critical cultural perspective.
Course Objective:
Upon completion of the Introduction to Media Studies course, the learner will be able to effectively
critique cultural components related to media. Competency will be determined by successful completion
of all assignments and by earning at least 70% of the points available in the course.
Specific or Enabling Objectives:
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:
1. Critique their media consumption patterns by developing a media-literate critical perspective in a
world that is increasingly dominated by electronic, aural, and visual messages.
2. Demonstrate a basic understanding of the history of radio, television, the Internet, and film.
3. Identify forms of violence in film and television and to distinguish between those forms that are
gratuitous and those that have educational potential.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of contemporary critiques of the effects of stereotyping in film, television,
radio, and popular music on marginalized groups.
5. Become educated and informed producers and consumers of mass mediated messages.
6. Demonstrate knowledge of the critical media literacy process and current mass media criticism by
writing a critical media analysis paper.
Transformational Learning Objectives:
A. Students will develop health and wellness knowledge from understanding the
relationship between masculinity and violence.
B. Students will gain disciplinary knowledge from learning about the history, theory,
and criticism of the mass media.
C. Students will write critical media literacy research papers and present the best of
those will be presented at the annual College of Liberal Arts Symposium.
D. Students will be informed about the impact of mass communication on the social
construction of identities (African American, Hispanic, and Muslim) and the
corrosive effects on how these cultural identities are mediated from a cultivation
perspective.
Required Textbook: Media and Culture: An Introduction to Mass Communication by Richard Campbell,
Martin, and Fabos. Boston: Bedford/Saint Martin’s Press. Updated 7th Edition.
Academic Affairs Form
April, 2011
Functional review __________
(undergraduate proposals only)
Course Requirements:
(1) The student will demonstrate knowledge of course materials (lectures, readings, videos) through
completing four100-point exams given during the semester. The first three exams will be worth 20%
each or 60 % of the final course grade. The final is comprehensive and will be worth 25% of the final
course grade. The professor will always give the class two days advance notice before the exam.
(2) Attendance and participation are mandatory in the class. The professor will show a variety of media
examples presented for critical analysis in the course. Many of the examples presented in class will
appear on the exams. It will be very difficult to successfully pass this course without attending it. The
student will be excused for 4 absences during the semester. After four absences the students final
grade will be dropped one letter grade for each absence after four. You should reserve your absences
for sickness or other reasons you might have to take one.
(3) There will be one media analysis paper required over stereotyping, masculinity, and violence in media
culture. The student will use the critical steps in the media literacy process presented in chapter one to
analyze a media artifact such as MTV, BET, a reality television show, etc. Instructions will be given
for writing this paper. The media analysis paper will be worth 15% of the students’ final grade.
Grading Scale: 100-90=A, 89-80=B, 79-70=C, 69-60=D, 59 or below=F
Class Rules: Beginning with the moment the professor enters the classroom; no talking (private conversations)
will be permitted. Anyone found talking without permission will have one point subtracted from his/her grade.
All cell phones should be turned off during class. No text messaging will be allowed. The instructor may take
one point off the student’s final grade if s/he violates this class rule. The student is not expected to be working
on other class work or talking on laptops to friends. One point will be deducted from the student’s final grade
for violating this classroom rule.
Make-up Exams: A make-up exam may or may not be given. This decision will depend upon the reason the
student has for missing the exam. University rules state that a family emergency or illness should be the only
reasons students are entitled to make-up an exam. Make-up exams will be identification and essay questions;
requiring the student to demonstrate their knowledge of the subject matter in a different testing format than the
original exam. There will be NO EXCEPTIONS to this rule.
Tardiness: The student is expected to be in class at the specific time the class begins. One point may be
deducted from the student’s final grade for each time s/he is tardy.
Peer Based Study Groups: It is highly recommended that students form study groups to help them with
understanding course concepts and materials. Choose groups of five and sit next to each other all semester.
This will ensure you do well on the exams. Students who are becoming more conversant in English as their
second language should get in a study group as soon as possible.
Attendance: It will be impossible to pass this course without dutiful attendance. Those students who choose
not to come to class and hear the lecture tend to make poorer grades (often flunking), than students who come
and deal with some difficult material covered by the instructor and in the text. The professor makes every effort
to teach toward the exams given in the class. Furthermore this class is designed for student engagement and
discussion of the course content. This will be a very interesting learning experience if you take the class
seriously. Student attendance is mandatory.
Academic Affairs Form
April, 2011
Functional review __________
(undergraduate proposals only)
*Tentative Course Schedule
Mass Media and the Cultural Landscape
Week 1 First Day Engagement Exercise. Read Chapter 1 Eras of Mass Communication Video: No Logo by
Naomi Klein to illustrate media and consumer culture.
Week 2 Continue Ch. 1 cont’d Video example of Ice-T’s controversial song “Cop Killer” to illustrate the
concept of selective exposure. Modernism and Postmodernism.
Week 3 Read Ch. 2 New Technologies. The Importance of Media Convergence to Mass Communication.
Documentary about Facebook and MySpace.
Sounds and Images
Week 4 Read Ch. 3 Video on the history of rock and roll. Video on Elvis Presley.
Week 5 Read Ch. 4 Exam I over chapters 1-4 including all video materials.
Week 6 Read Ch. 5 Lecture on Television: The Most Significant Medium of All Time. Reality Television.
Group Exercise Assigned. Quiz 3 over television and lecture.
Week 7 The Problem of Stereotyping in Film and Other Popular Media. Media Education Foundation produced
Dreamworlds 3 (2008) to illustrate gender stereotypes on MTV and Hip-Hop: Beats and Rhymes in
contemporary hip hop music.
Week 8 A Media Literacy Approach to Violence: Video by Dr. George Gerbner: The Mean World Syndrome
(2009) to illustrate cultivation theory and the consequences of Violence. Read “A Media Literacy Approach to
Violence: Anti-Violence Education Strategies in the Classroom” by J. Kole Kleeman in the Texas Speech
Communication Journal Online (April 2008).
Week 9 Forms of Violence in Media Culture: Ritualistic, Symbolic, and Hyper-Real Forms of Violence.
Masculinity and Violence: Tough Guise (1999) by anti-violence educator Jackson Katz.
Week 10 Critique of the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Network . Wrestling with Manhood: Boys,
Bullying and Battering (2003) with anti-violence educators Sut Jhally and Jackson Katz. Paper Assigned.
Week 11 Read Ch. 7 on film culture. Discuss the development of narrative film by Edwin S. Porter, George
Melies and D. W. Griffith, documentary, foreign and avant-garde film. Exam 2 over all materials including
videos and lectures on stereotyping, violence, television and film.
Weeks 12 Read Ch. 8 Newspapers: Discuss the rise of modern journalism: Objective, Interpretive, and
Literary forms of writing and the decline of newspaper readership in media culture.
Week 13 Read Ch. 9 Magazines: Discuss the history and development of the modern magazine from the
colonial period to the rise of photojournalism in the great pictorial magazines and their disappearance due to
television in the postmodern era.
Week 14 Read Ch. 10 Books: Discuss the development of writing, the printing press and the importance of
books in media culture. The problem of “aliteracy” will be discussed in relation to the decline of reading
abilities among children.
Week 15 Finish course Exam III over print media chapters 8, 9, and 10
Academic Affairs Form
April, 2011
Functional review __________
(undergraduate proposals only)
Comprehensive Final Exam Period:
3:00-4:50 p.m. Tuesday May 3 in Comm 204
Miscellaneous Items to Keep in Mind:
The final is cumulative over all materials covered in the class. DO NOT schedule vacations during the
required final exam period. No exams will be given earlier than the required time Spring 2011 final
exam schedule given above.
*Topics and media examined in the course may take longer than expected to complete. The syllabus is subject
to change with regard to times and dates of exams and topics on the course syllabus. The student will have at
least two days advance notice of an examination. Not knowing an exam was given due to absence is not a valid
excuse for making up an exam. The final is comprehensive.
.
Academic Affairs Form
April, 2011
Functional review __________
(undergraduate proposals only)