COM 249
Mass Media and Mass Culture
Section 001
Spring 2004
MWF11:00 a.m. to 11:50 a.m.
Don Lowe
CB 304
Office Hours: 240 GrehanBuildingMWF 11-12/TR 1-2
Office Phone: 257-2954
E-mail:
Teaching Assistant: Zhiwen Xiao
Office Hours: 124 GrehanBuilding T 11-12/R 3:30-4:30
Office Phone: 257-1365
E-mail:
COURSE DESCRIPTION: An examination of the interplay between the technology and content of the mass communication media and culture .
TEXTBOOK: Mass Media/Mass Culture: An Introduction by Wilson
Wilson (McGraw Hill, 1998), 5th Edition
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
I expect you to be in class each day. For any day you miss, you will be allowed to make up work only if the absence is officially excused by me as your instructor (based on evidence such as a letter from physician, or other evidence requested by me). You are responsible for contacting me regarding any absence. You must present written documentation for any university-approved activity (field trips, band trips, athletic competitions, etc.) in advance of the advance and for any other absence within two weeks of your return to class.
For unanticipated emergencies of any variety:
1. Call my office number (257-2954) and leave a message for me
2. Send me an e-mail message with the necessary information.
ACADEMIC OFFENSES: PLAGIARISM AND CHEATING:
I expect that all your work in COM 249 (and in all your other classes, too) will always be of your own. You have already signed a form indicating that you have read and understood the definitions of two academic offenses--plagiarism and cheating-- and the penalties for committing these offenses are taken from the UK Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook. This information is also available at the website: These offenses are serious and we do pursue each case.
In addition, we have a department site which offers several resources available for you to use to determine in advance whether you might inadvertently be using others' work improperly. I encourage you to use this website as often as you need it. we also have a department 'report' line to use if you suspect that cheating and/or plagiarizing is occurring in any way in this class, you report this electronically (and anonymously if you choose) via the site: Whatever you write in your message will be sent to the Department Chair (Dr. Nancy Harrington) as well as to me--but unless you provide your name, there will be no way to trace a message to you.
If you have any questions about whether you may be plagiarizing in your work, please contact me or the Course Director well in advance of the due date. Afterward may be too late, and the minimum sanction fro these offenses is an E grade for the entire course!
IF YOU NEED HELP
If you have a particular question or concern, please contact me by e-mail or come by during my scheduled "Office Hour" times.
You can get help with oral presentation skills by meeting with the CommSult consultant, Cyndy Harbett Miller, in 250 EGJ. Her office hours are posted on her door. Call 257-6137 for an appointment or just come by; if no appointments are scheduled; first come will be first served on a drop-in basis. If you need another time, contact Ms. Miller at .
If you need help with your writing skills, you'll want to contact the WritingCenter in W. T. Young Library (257-1356). For special online help go to:
Please ask questions whenever you're not sure of something (or just to double check).
IF YOU HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS
If you have a special need that may require accommodation or assistance, please let me know as soon as possible since I cannot being to make accommodation until I know your particular needs. You need to provide documentation; then, we'll work to make reasonable accommodation so your course work can be meaningful.
COM 249
Spring 2004
Daily Schedule
Jan 14Orientation/Reaction and Final Papers Assigned
16 Chapter One: Culture & Communication: Basic
Concepts
19Chapter Sixteen: Media Research, Effects &
Consequences
21Chapter Sixteen: Continuation
23Quiz One/Chapters One and Sixteen
Discussion One: Research on Effects
26Chapter Fifteen: Media Ethics
28Chapter Fifteen: Continuation
30Discussion Two: Media Ethics
Reaction Paper Due
Feb 2Chapter Two: Culture and Mass Communication:
How They Interact
4Review for Test One/Quiz Two: Chapters Two
and Fifteen
6Test One/Chapters One, Two, Fifteen, Sixteen
9Debrief Test One/Chapter Three: Globalization
of Information on the World Wide Web
11Discussion Three: World Wide Web
13Chapter Four: Legal Controls of the Media
COM 249
Spring 2004
Daily Schedule p.2
16 Quiz Three: Chapters Three and Four
Chapter Five: The News Media, Keeping The
Culture Informed
18Chapter Five: Video The Myth of The Liberal Media
20Discussion Four: News Media
23Chapter Six: Books, The Permanent Medium
Review for Test Two
25Test Two
Chapters: Three, Four, Five, and Six
27Chapter Seven: Newspapers Past, Present,
and Future
Mar 1Chapter Seven: Continuation
3Quiz Four: Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight: Magazines, The Specialized
Medium
5Discussion Five: Magazines
8Chapter Nine: Motion Pictures, Cultural
Reflections
10Chapter Nine: Video Hollywood Goes Commercial
12TBA
Com 249
Spring 2004
Daily Schedule p. 3
22Chapter Twelve: Television, From Soaps
to Satellites
24Quiz Five: Chapters Eight, Nine & Twelve
Chapter Eleven: Recorded Music, Powerful
and Controversial
26Review for Test Three
29Test Three Chapters : Seven, Eight, Nine andTwelve
31In Class Extra Credit
Apr 2SSCA Convention/No Class
5Chapter Eleven: Recorded Music:
Powerful and Controversial
7Chapter Ten: Radio: A Wireless Wonder
9Discussion Six: Recorded Music
12Video: Early Radio
14Chapter Thirteen: Advertising: Selling the Message
16Final Papers Due
19Xhiwen's Class
21Chapter Fourteen: Public Relations: Creating an Image
23Discussion Seven:Advertising Ethics
26Chapter Fourteen: Videos PSAs
28Quiz Five: Chapters Eight and Nine
30Review for final examination/All Chapters/Handout
May 510:30 a.m. FINAL EXAMINATION
Com 249
Spring 2004
Grading Scale/Criteria
Test One100
Test Two100
Test Three100
Test Four100
Quiz One 20
Quiz Two 20
Quiz Three 20
Quiz Four 20
Quiz Five 20
Reaction Paper50
Final Paper 100
Scale
A650-585
B584-526
C 525-474
D473-427
E426-0
Com 249
Spring 2004
Assignments
TESTS/EXAMINATIONS
There will be a total of four examinations throughout the semester. Each examination will be multiple choice in format and will consist of 50 recall and/or application questions from the chapters assigned prior to the examination. Examinations are NOT cumulative. HOWEVER, the FINAL EXAMINATION is cumulative. *You will be required to purchase Scantron Examination Answer Sheets (available at the campus bookstore for a small fee) for both the examinations and the quizzes and you will be responsible for having a Number Two pencil as well.
QUIZZES
There will be a total of five quizzes throughout the semester. Each quiz will be multiple choice in format and will consist of 10 recall and/or application questions from the chapters assigned prior to the quiz. Quizzes will be retroactive—meaning, you will not be quizzed over material not previously covered in class or assigned in the readings.
REACTION PAPER
Your first paper will allow you to discover your use/dependency on mass media. You will be put into one of two groups: Group A will record and discuss their use of mass media during a 24 hour period; Group B will not be allowed to use ANY form of mass media for a 24 hour period and will then write about their experiences. The paper should be presented in APA Style and be between 1 1/2 and 2 typed DS pages in length.
FINAL PAPER
Your final paper will allow you to apply your knowledge of Mass Communication Theory to a modern medium. You may choose any of the theories found in the text and discussed in class (a list follows this description). Your assignment is to examine a modern medium (website, tv program, movie , CD, CDrom, radio program, video game, news paper, magazine) through the application of your chosen theory—ie how does your medium support/contradict the theory. The paper should be presented in APA Style with an annotated bibliography and proper cover page. In addition to the text, you will need to reference a minimum of three academic sources. Your paper’s text should be no longer than 10 DS typed pages and no fewer than 5 DS typed pages.
Theories from Our Text
Magic Bullet Theory
Payne Fund Studies
Cantril Study
Lazarsfeld Study
Catharsis Theory
Aggressive Cues Theory
Reinforcement Theory
Observational Theory
Information-Imitation Theory
Positive Effects Research
Theories from Supplemental Text
Report of the Surgeon General
Selected and Limited Influences Theory
Uses and Gratifications Theory
Accumulation Theory
Adoption Theory
Modeling Theory
Social Expectations Theory
Stereotype Theory
Meaning Construction Theory