INTRO TO COMMUNICATION, MEDIA, AND CULTURAL STUDIES
(ENG1502: Fall 2015)
Instructor: Hunju Lee, PhD
Contact Info: leeh2@emmanuel.edu (alternate email: lee.hunju@gmail.com) &
https://www.facebook.com/hunju.lee.56
Class Time: M,W,F (11:00 ~ 11:50)
Office Hours: Monday (12:00 ~ 1:30) & Wednesday (12:00 ~ 1:30) in ADM 434c
*I can have extra office hours upon request and by appointment.
*Internet Sites for Course:
- Course Blog: https://eng15022.wordpress.com
& EClearn
Course Description:
This course aims at introducing basic and significant concepts/theories required to understand
‘mediated’ communication and cultural phenomena. Starting with the basic concepts, theories,
and approaches related to communication, media, and culture, this course explores three
aspects of media such as media industry, media text and media audience covering both
traditional and emerging/social media. Each aspect of media is positioned within broader
historical, cultural, social and economic contexts considering the influences of such contexts on
messages/meaning-making processes in media industry.
In addition, the significant themes in the growing area of social media will be discussed such as
the features of current social media communications based on Web 2.0/3.0 platforms, problems
of interactivity and connectivity within/by social media, media convergence, surveillance and
privacy in digital world, online journalism, digital culture and digital activism.
Learning Outcomes:
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Students will understand the basic concepts, theories and research methods in
Communication, Media, and Cultural Studies.
Students will learn the history and economic structure of American media industry and
transnational/global media.
Students will learn the theories and methods to critically analyze media texts and
messages.
Students will learn various perspectives to understand media audience.
Students will have their own critical views and opinions to discuss the significant issues
related to digital culture, new communication technologies and social media.
Students will learn basic digital communication tools for social media-contents
development and evaluation.
Course Texts:
Introduction to Communication, Media, and Cultural Studies (Eng1502)
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Richard Campbell, Christopher R. Martin, and Bettina Fabos, Media/Culture: Mass
Communication in a Digital Age (10th edition), Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2015.
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Other additional readings are available on Eclearn.
Assignments and Grades:
1) Readings & Responses (20%)
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Your weekly reading response will take a form of written paper to answer my specific
questions related to the week reading and need to be submitted in the first class of the
week.
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For the due date for each week response, please check the course schedule in the last part
of this syllabus.
 The guideline for writing a good response paper is available on EClearn.
2) A Snippet Presentation (15%)
A snippet means a short case or example related to specific contents in required readings. Each
student will have one-time snippet presentation throughout the course. The purpose of this
assignment is to make you become an active participant in the course inviting you to co-teach
the classes with me. Your snippet will help both you and other students better understand the
reading materials.
 A snippet sign-up sheet will be provided in the first class and more specific guideline is
available on EClearn.
3) A Short Critical Analysis on a Media Text or Mediated Communication/Cultural
Event (A Mid-term Paper) (15%)
For this paper to replace a mid-term exam, you need to write a critical essay on a media text
representing moving images, sound and stories (ex. a few of episodes in a TV drama, sitcom,
cartoon, talk show, news program, drama or sitcom made by Netflix, a social network site, music
video, film, advertisement, etc.). Or, you can analyze a particular cultural and communication
event media are involved with.
 A more specific guideline will be available on EClearn.
3) Blog Assignment: Developing and writing on your own Blog & giving
comments on other students’ blogs (20%)
This is a semester-long project. You will create your own blog to deal with one particular topic in
the course. You must write 4 postings related to your topic on your own blog and give comments
for your classmates’ blog postings.
 A more specific guideline for the blog assignment will be available on EClearn.
Introduction to Communication, Media, and Cultural Studies (Eng1502)
4) Final Exam (20%)
- A study guide will be posted on Eclearn two weeks before the exam.
* If you know in advance you cannot take the exam on the scheduled date, you must talk with
me at least two weeks before the regular exam date. A makeup exam or taking exam beyond the
scheduled date is only allowed by submitting an official document (ex. official doctor’s note, a
letter from your sports team coach, court letter, or obituary, etc.)
5) In-Class Individual and Group Activities & Participation (10%)
- I will often ask you or your group to participate in various in-class activities. All written &
verbal responses resulted from in-class activities will be graded and reflected on your final grade.
*You cannot have a makeup for any missed in-class assignment unless you
don’t submit an official document about your absence.
6) Attendance will be taken each class.
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Upon the 3th absence, a student’s final grade is lowered 1/3 of a grade (e.g. B => B-)
Upon the 4th absence, a student’s final grade is lowered 1 full grade (e.g. B=> C)
Upon the 5th absence, a student’s final grade is lowered two full grades (e.g. B => D)
Upon the 6th absence, a student cannot pass the course.
*Your excuse about absence must be supported by an official document.
7) Some Extra Credit Opportunities by Quizzes & Discussions through Class Blog
*What You Must Know about Assignment Submission
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All weekly reading responses must be printed out and submitted in the class on
each due date. (*No email or Eclearn submission)
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Your mid-term paper must be submitted through EClearn.
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There are different due dates in the process of developing your blog and commenting
on other people’s blogs  * check the dates in the course schedule section.
 Late papers & blog assignments will not receive my written comments. If you know in
advance that you can’t make a due date for an assignment, please discuss it with me at least two
weeks before the due date. Requests for extensions after a due date has passed will only be
granted in exceptional and unavoidable circumstances and the request must include the relevant
documentation such as official signed doctor or school nurse’s note, obituary, court papers, etc.
Request for extension must be completed within one week after the scheduled due date.
*For a late paper or blog assignment without any reasonable and explained reason,
10 points will be deducted from a total grade for each day delay.
Grading
Introduction to Communication, Media, and Cultural Studies (Eng1502)
Grades are final: Here are the circumstances under which I will change a grade a) I have
made an error, or b) if I have failed to hold you to the same standard as everyone else. In the
event that you feel you received an undeserved grade, you should make your case in writing to
me within two weeks of receiving the grade.
 Final Grades will be based on the standard university scale.
Academic integrity and plagiarism: Zero tolerance; no second chances
Academic honesty, a necessary foundation of a learning community is expected of all students.
Violations are unacceptable and are subject to academic penalties including failure of a course.
A record of the violation is submitted to Academic affairs; repeated violations may result in
suspension or dismissal from the college. Violations of academic honesty include
cheating on examinations, plagiarism, and submission of papers for credit in two
or more courses.
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Violations of academic policy with regard to examinations consist of the
followings:
- Receiving assistance or assisting others while the examination is in progress.
- Obtaining or attempting to obtain prior to an examination, copies of the examination or
the questions to appear on the examination.
- Obtaining or attempting to obtain any unauthorized knowledge regarding the
examination or the questions to appear on the examination from another student who
possesses information regarding the contents of the examination.
- Disseminating any written or verbal information regarding the contents of an
examination to students who have not yet completed or taken said examination.
- Utilizing or consulting any unauthorized information, such as notes or books during an
examination.
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Plagiarism: Plagiarism is an act of presenting the intellectual work of others (words,
ideas, artwork, computer programming code, etc.) as if it were one’s own. Some common
forms of plagiarism are submitting someone else’s paper as one’s own; copying a passage
from another source without citing the source; or expressing a published idea or theory
in different words without crediting the source of the idea. Plagiarism constitutes
intellectual dishonesty and undermines trust between members of the college
community.
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For complete information about the Academic Integrity Policy please visit
http://www.emmanuel.edu/academics/registrar/academic-policies/academic-integritypolicy.html
Class Rules:
1) Please come to class on time. If you come to class 10 minutes after the class starts,
you will be considered ‘absence.’
*Your three times lateness will be counted as one-time absence.
2) Please turn off your cell phone in class. No texting in class.
3) Using your personal laptop is only allowed for the purpose of Note-taking.
Introduction to Communication, Media, and Cultural Studies (Eng1502)
4) Our classes won’t be one-directional lecture. Many parts will function effectively by
interactions between you and me and you and other students.
* Please remember a good class depends upon your active
engagement. Never be Passive!
* Don’t be hesitant to give your questions, ideas, and suggestions.
* Never think your speech can be useless or stupid.
* Please be respectful while other people give speeches.
* Please be collaborative in any kind of group activity.
*During the class time, don’t be engaged in personal chatting for
unrelated issues to class topics.
Disability Support Services Statement
It is the policy of Emmanuel College to provide appropriate, reasonable
accommodations to students who have documented learning, physical, cognitive, or psychiatric
disabilities that may affect their ability to participate in course activities or meet course
requirements. Students with disabilities are encouraged to meet with the course instructor. To
receive appropriate accommodations students must contact Disability Support Services in the
ARC to register for services.
Course Schedule:
1) Week 1 (Sept. 2 & Sept. 4): Syllabus & Course Introduction
2) Week 2 (Sept. 9 & 11): Approaches & Basic Concepts to Understand
Communication, Mediated Communication and Culture
* Required Reading:
- Warren & Deanna, “Chapter 1: Thinking Critically about Communication in Culture” in
Communication: A Critical/Cultural Introduction (2nd edition), Sage, 2014 (available on
Eclearn)
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Person & Nealson, “Online Addition: Mediated Communication and Media Literacy”
in Human Communication:3rd Edition, McGraw-Hill, 2008 (available on Eclearn)
* Response Due on Sept 9 in Class
3) Week 3 (Sept. 14, 16, 18): Trajectory from Traditional to Emerging Media &
Media Convergence
* Required Reading: “Chapter 1: Mass communication: A Critical Approach”, in Media and
Culture: Mass Communication in Digital Age (Textbook)
* Response Due on Sept. 14 in Class
Introduction to Communication, Media, and Cultural Studies (Eng1502)
4) Week 4 (Sept. 21, 23, 25): Popular Media Text - Meanings, Messages and
Storytelling
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Required Reading: “Chapter 3 & Chapter 4” in Richard Campbell & Joli Jensen, Media in
Society, Bedford, 2013 (available on Eclearn)
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Response Due on Sept. 21 in Class
5) Week 5 (Sept. 28, 30, Oct.2): Race Matters in Popular Media & Mediated Culture
* Required Reading:
a) “The New Threat: Racism without Racists” from
http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/26/us/ferguson-racism-or-racial-bias/ (also available on Eclearn)
b) “Chapter 6: Cultural Analysis”, in Ott & Mack, Critical Media Studies: An
Introduction, Wiley Blackwell, 2014 (available on Eclearn)
c) Read the info provided by the website of
http://www.criticalmediaproject.org/cml/topicbackground/race-ethnicity/
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Response Due on Sept. 28 in Class
Snippet Presentation 1 on Sept. 30 & Oct. 2
6) Week 6 (Oct. 5, 7, 9): Feminist Interventions into Communication & Media
Studies
* Required Reading: “Chapter 8: Feminist Analysis” in Ott & Mack, Critical Media
Studies: An Introduction, Wiley Blackwell, 2014 (available on Eclearn)
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Response Due on Oct. 5 in class
Snippet presentation 2 on Oct. 7 & Oct. 9
Mid-term paper due on Oct. 9 until 6:00 pm
7) Week 7 (Oct. 14, 16): Understanding Media Effect
* Required Reading: “Chapter 15: Media Effects and Cultural Approaches to Research”,
in Textbook
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Response Due on Oct. 14 in Class
Blog planning (one page description of blog theme & others): Due on Oct. 14
8) Week 8 (Oct. 19, 21, 23): TV & Cable– The Power of Visual Culture
* Required Reading: “Chapter 6: Television and Cable” in Textbook
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Response Due on Oct. 19 in Class
Introduction to Communication, Media, and Cultural Studies (Eng1502)
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Snippet Presentation 3 on Oct. 21 & Oct. 23
9) Week 9 (Oct. 26, 28, 30): Movies and the Impact of Images
* Required Reading: “Chapter 7: Movies and the Impact of Images” in Textbook
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Response Due on Oct. 26 in Class
Snippet presentation 4 on Oct. 28 & Oct. 30
Blog Design, Publicizing and first posting: Due on Oct. 28
10) Week 10 (Nov. 2, 4, 6): The Development of & the Crisis in Modern Journalism
* Required Reading: “Chapter 8: Newspapers” in Textbook
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Response Due on Nov. 2 in class
Snippet presentation 5 on Nov. 4 & Nov. 6
Blog second Posting & comments: Due on Nov. 6
11) Week 11 (Nov. 9, Nov. 13): Internet & Social Media
* Required Reading: “Chapter 2: The Internet, Digital Media and Media Convergence” in
Textbook
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Response Due on Nov. 9 in class
12) Week 12 (Nov. 16, 18, 20): Critical Approaches to Social Media
Communications & Digital Culture
* Required Reading: TBA
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Response Due on Nov. 16 in Class
Snippet presentation 6 on Nov. 18 & Nov. 20
Blog Third Posting & comments: Due on Nov. 20
13) Week 13 (Nov. 23): Continued topic from Week 12
14) Week 14 (Nov. 30, Dec. 2, 4): Digital Activism – Slacktivism or Microactivism?
*Required Reading & Watching:
a) Gladwell, “Small Change: why the revolution will not be tweeted?” from
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2010/10/04/101004fa_fact_gladwell?currentPage=
all (available on EClearn)
b) A movie of “The Internet’s Own boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz”, 2014
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpvcc9C8SbM
Introduction to Communication, Media, and Cultural Studies (Eng1502)
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Response Due on Nov. 30 in class
Snippet Presentation 7 on Dec. 2 & Dec. 4
15) Week 15 (Dec. 7): Course Review
* Blog Fourth Posting & Comments: Due on Dec. 7
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Final Exam: Dec. 10 (Thursday) from 10:15 to 12:15
Introduction to Communication, Media, and Cultural Studies (Eng1502)