COM 330-01 (13274)
Theories of Mass Communication
Steven Alan Carr, Ph.D.
Course Syllabus
Fall 2008
last updated 1 Sep 2008
Course Content and Goals
Building upon the COM 250/251 sequence, which focuses on media industries and the texts they produce, this course 1) surveys social science and critical/cultural approaches that attempt to analyze and explain the power and influence of both mass media and its texts within an increasingly global context; 2) considers the extent to which media and media texts influence an increasingly global audience; and 3) considers the extent to which a global audience influences media industries and the media texts that these industries produce. Rather than argue that media influence is either all-encompassing or infinitesimal, this course argues that no one theory can explain fully the complex interrelationships between culture, history, social power, and human behavior that intersect what is commonly referred to as "the media." Our goal is to think critically about different approaches to media influence and the explanations that scholars and critics have offered, and maybe even develop some new explanations of our own.
Prerequisites and Intended Audience
Although there are no prerequisites for this course, it is assumed that students have taken or are currently enrolled in COM 250 Mass Communication and Society and COM 251 Introduction to Electronic Mass Media. The intended audience consists of junior and senior Communication majors in the Media and Public degree track.
Readings
If you continue with this course, you agree to be responsible for downloading all required assigned readings. In addition to the assigned textbook for this class, readings will consist of essays and chapters in Adobe Acrobat PDF format available through Blackboard. If you do not have access to a computer connected to the Internet, you cannot get Blackboard to work properly from off-campus, or you are unable to make arrangements to use a computer on campus, you will still be held responsible for all assigned readings. The instructor does not download, email, or print off readings for students. Be resourceful and make other arrangements with fellow classmates. If you can't open certain files from within Blackboard or your web browser, try downloading the file to your computer and then opening it using its native application. If you still can't open the file, try restarting your computer, or try using a different computer before reporting a technical difficulty.
Course Requirements
The normal schedule for reading assignments will be between 30-60 pages per week. Consequently, one of your primary responsibilities will be to prepare for each week's reading by completing assigned readings before Tuesday's class meeting. To that end, there will be fourteen (14) online quizzes worth 10 points each, due before class on the assigned date before 12 PM noon. You should check both your IPFW email and Blackboard on a regular basis for important course announcements. Working in teams of 5-7, you will co-author nine (9) discussion forums worth 10 possible points each, due on the assigned date within 24 hours after the end of the class meeting. You will present one (1) of these modules in class after approximately 30 minutes of class time, worth 10 possible points. You will critique one (1) of the forums from another group for 10 possible points. You will take a midterm and a final, each worth 50 possible points. You will be required to write a final, argument driven synthesis paper worth 50 possible points showing how you have taken one or more approaches to media influence seriously. Finally, your participation worth 100 possible points will be assessed, primarily on the basis of what you do during the scheduled class meeting time, but in general on the basis of what you do as a stakeholder to help make this class a success.
No incompletes will be given for this course, except in extreme circumstances. If an extreme circumstance does arise, however, you are urged to notify the instructor and propose a workable solution as soon as possible. A workable solution in this case, of course, would include the possibility of an incomplete. However, a request for an incomplete will only be granted only for assignments that have already been started. Under no circumstances can a student do additional work after final grades have been submitted to raise his or her final grade.
It is expected that all work submitted is the original work prepared specifically for this course by the student whose name appears on it. It also is expected that all contributors to the original work have their names listed accurately on the assignment at the time of submission.
Assignments
Fourteen (14) online quizzes (Q) worth 10 points each for a total of 140 points will be available for a 24 hour window before the date of an assigned reading, and due before 12 PM noon on that date. You may use your textbook and notes, but you will have a maximum of 30 minutes to take each quiz. Quizzes will consist of ten (10) multiple-choice questions. You will take these quizzes online. Once you open the quiz and see the questions for the first time, you have 30 minutes to answer at least 6 questions correctly on that quiz in order to be eligible to retake it. You may print off the quiz. However, if you score less than 60%, or if you open the quiz to print it off but you do not complete it within 30 minutes, you will receive a failing grade and you will forfeit the opportunity for a retake. If you score 60% or more on a quiz, but less than 100%, you will be able to access the questions, but you will not be able to distinguish between which questions were answered correctly and which were not. Any distribution of the questions and/or their answers, whether electronically or in hard copy, by one student to another will be treated as an instance of academic dishonesty and may result in an automatic grade of F for the course for all involved.Nine (9) times throughout the semester, in-class teams will co-author a collaborative discussion forum (DF). Discussion forums are papers that extend a significant concept relevant to the assigned reading for the week. This paper will define and respond to a central concept in the readings. The response must demonstrate meaningful engagement with the concepts introduced in each reading. To demonstrate this engagement, the paper should reflect a group opinion, informed by judicious paraphrasing and direct quotation from the assigned reading. Each paper will 1) define the concept; 2) raise a significant problem or question related to the concept; and 3) identify as broadly as possible how the concept and any questions that it raises are relevant to better understanding how mass media work. If necessary, the paper can raise questions concerning the concept that are not easily understood or explained, but can be discussed further in class. The final draft can then incorporate new points raised during class discussion.
Each team then will have approximately thirty (30) minutes of class time to develop a draft of this paper. At the end of 30 minutes time, the instructor will solicit one team to present their discussion forum for the entire class. Teams are encouraged to prepare materials before class, and the instructor will make Blackboard resources available, including an online discussion forum for each team. Each submission is worth ten (10) points for a total of eighty (80) points and is due within 24 hours after the class meeting time . You will not receive written feedback from the instructor on these modules, unless specifically requested. Individual grades for team members will be assessed on the basis of contributions made in advance of and during in-class development, as well as on the substance of the module itself, its relevance to the reading, and how well it extends a concept or concepts from the reading. Based on these criteria, modules will be assessed as excellent, satisfactory, or poor. Individuals who earn 6 points or better on a module may revise and resubmit that module once it has been submitted. Each module must accurately list the names of all team members who participated at the time of submission. It is each team's responsibility to maintain the Honors System in accurately reporting the names of those who contributed to the project.
At least once during the semester, one team will present one (1) of the discussion forums (DP) to the entire class at approximately approximately thirty (30) minutes have elapsed, worth an additional 10 (ten) possible points. The instructor will begin by soliciting one team to present. Before the presentation begins, one team member then will write a 1-2 sentence position statement with regard to a major theory or concept covered by the assigned reading on the board. At the beginning of the presentation, each team member briefly (in no more than 2-3 minutes) will respond to this position statement. These responses will take place in a "fishbowl" discussion in the middle of the classroom. The team then will note any significant disagreement or conflicts within the group over this statement. When all team members have completed giving their responses, other class members will be invited to participate in the discussion.
Presentations will be made only on the assigned date of a discussion forum. The opportunity to present will be done on a first-come, first-served basis - so if a team wants to present on a particular day, the first team to volunteer will be presenting. Teams cannot reserve presentation days in advance, only on the day of a presentation. There will be only nine (9) opportunities throughout the semester, so volunteer early. You cannot redo this assignment, and you will not receive written feedback unless specifically requested immediately after the presentation. Individual grades for team members will be assessed on the basis of participation in leading this module, as well as on how well the presentation communicates the following: the substance of the issue raised, its relevance to the reading, and how well it extends a concept or concepts from the reading. Based on these criteria, presentations will be assessed as excellent, satisfactory, or poor. Due to variations in team memberships, you may present more than once as part of a different team. In that case, only the highest grade for the in-class presentation will be counted.
Once during the semester, you will critique (DC) the module prepared by another team that was not presented during class. The critique, worth 10 possible points, should evaluate the significance of a discussion forum, its relevance to the substance of the reading, how well the paper extends a concept or concepts from the reading, and evidence that the module has been fully thought through. You will not receive written feedback unless specifically requested. Your grade will be assessed on the basis of how thoughtfully you demonstrate engagement with the criteria listed above that you use to critique the discussion forum.
You will take a midterm (M) and a non-comprehensive final (F). Both the midterm and final will build upon readings, questions that appear on the quizzes, on online discussion questions, and on issues raised in class discussion. Both the midterm and the final each will count 50 possible points toward your final grade.
You must write a final, argument-driven synthesis paper (SP) worth 50 points. This paper will be submitted in parts - including a proposal and abstract (SP1 - 10 points), a sample paragraph (SP2 - 10 points), an annotated inventory of theories presented as part of the paper (SP3 - 10 points), and a final draft (SP4 - 20 points) - at various intervals throughout the semester. Written feedback will not be offered on P3 and P4 unless specifically requested and submitted 2 weeks in advance of the due date. The synthesis paper will synthesize two or more substantive concepts covered during the semester, and show how your synthesis could be applied to a topic relevant to an issue or controversy concerning mass media. There is no page or source minimum requirement. The successful final draft will include, all in the same file, the following: an introduction that states a problem, explains its significance, and clearly states a central thesis; an explanation of each theory or concept covered in the paper, with appropriate citations; three to five (3-5) paragraphs (paragraph=key statement, plus 3-5 additional sentences) with each paragraph advancing and developing the central thesis; a conclusion that reconsiders (as opposed to restating) the central thesis in light of the body of the paper; and a works cited page that demonstrates the breadth and diversity of sources used in the paper. The final paper will be evaluated on the basis of its relevance to a topic concerning mass media; the substance and significance of the thesis; how well the paper engages the theories and concepts discussed; the thoughtfulness and originality with which the paper synthesizes these concepts; the overall structure, readability, clarity, and effectiveness of how well the paper advances its argument; and the ability of the paper to draw from multiple theoretical perspectives. With regard to the last criteria, make sure you can demonstrate that your list of sources used in the paper can demonstrate how you were able to engage with multiple perspectives.
Your participation is worth 100 points or 20% toward your final grade. This participation will be assessed primarily, though not exclusively, on the basis of what you do during our scheduled class meetings. You will not receive feedback on your participation unless specifically requested. The burden of proof is on you to maintain detailed, accurate, and clearly presented records of your contributions to the success of the class. Although you are not required to do so, you are strongly encouraged to maintain evidence of these contributions throughout the semester. This data can include evidence of preparation (such as detailed, original notes), letters of support from other students, written self-evaluations of your performance, etc. Should a difference of opinion arise with regard to the level of your performance, you will be asked to produce these records upon request. Failure to participate in class, regardless of attendance, will directly impact this portion of your grade. Questions regarding participation raised earlier in the semester will receive far greater consideration than questions raised later in the semester.
Grading
Your final grade will be determined based on the following criteria:
Fourteen (14) Quizzes @ 10 pts ea |
140 points (28%) |
T before noon (unless otherwise noted) |
Nine (9) Discussion Forums @ 10 pts ea |
90 points (18%) |
within 24 hrs after end of class, as marked |
One (1) Discussion Forum Presentation |
10 points (2%) |
R in class after approx 30 mins, as marked |
One (1) Discussion Forum Critique |
10 points (2%) |
Within 48 hours of DF posting |
Midterm Exam |
50 points (10%) |
R 16 Oct |
Argument-Driven Synthesis Paper |
50 points (10%) |
R 9 Oct; R 20 Nov; R 4 Dec; R 11 Dec |
Final Exam |
50 points (10%) |
R 18 Dec 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM |
Participation |
100 points (20%) |
Ongoing |
TOTAL POSSIBLE POINTS |
500 points (100%) |
| A |
A - | B+ | B |
B- | C+ | C |
C- | D+ | D |
D- | F |
| Outstanding | Above Average | Average | Lowest Passing Grade | Fail | |||||||
| 470-500 | 450-469 | 435-449 | 420-434 | 400-419 | 385-399 | 370-384 | 350-369 | 335-349 | 320-334 | 300-319 | 0-299 |
Tentative Course Schedule
Date |
Topic |
Due |
T 26 Aug |
Course Introduction and Overview |
|
| R 28 | Syllabus and Course Policies | |
Using Theory to Explain Media and Culture |
||
T 2 |
Models and Paradigms: The Case of the Telegraph |
Lull Ch 1; Czitrom |
| R 4 | ||
T 9 |
Using Theory to Take an Approach: Transmission and Ritual Views of Communication |
Carey |
R 11 |
DF 1 10 out of 30 |
|
Critical/Cultural Approaches to Mass Media |
||
T 16 |
Ideology and Consciousness |
Lull Ch 2 |
R 18 |
DF 2 10 out of 70 |
|
T 23 |
Marxist Approaches: Critical Theory and Base/Superstructure Model |
Marx |
R 25 |
DF 3 10 out of 90 |
|
T 30 |
Hegemony, Rules, and Power |
Lull Chs 3-4 |
R 2 Oct |
DF 4 10 out of 110 |
|
T 7 |
Pschoanalytic Approaches: Consciousness and Subconscious |
Freud |
R 9 |
DF 5 10 out of 130 |
|
T 14 |
FALL BREAK – NO CLASS |
|
R 16 |
MIDTERM – DUE 4:30 PM 50 out of 190 |
|
T 21 |
Ideological State Apparatuses |
Althusser |
| R 23 | DF 6 10 out of 210 | |
Approaching Audiences, Texts, and Cultural Identity |
||
T 28 |
Approaches to Media Audiences and Cultural Life |
Lull Chs 5-6 |
R 30 |
DF 7 10 out of 230 |
|
T 4 Nov |
Approaches to Public Opinion |
Lippman |
R 6 |
DF 8 10 out of 250 |
|
T 11 |
Behavioralist Approaches and the Minimal Effects Model |
Cantril |
R 13 |
DF 9 10 out of 270 |
|
T 18 |
Frankfurt School Critique of Popular Culture |
Kracauer; Horkheimer and Adorno |
R 20 |
DF 10 10 out of 280 |
|
Symbols, Texts, and Meaning |
||
T 25 |
Approaches to Technology and Democracy |
Benjamin |
R 27 |
THANKSGIVING BREAK – NO CLASS |
|
T 2 Dec |
Semiotic Approaches: Symbols and Meaning-Making |
Lull Chs 7-8 |
R 4 |
SP3 Synthesis Paper Theories Inventory (R 4) – no written feedback from instructor 10 out of 320 |
|
Approaches to Globalization |
||
T 9 |
Global Culture |
Lull Chs 9-10 |
R 11 |
Conclusion |
SP4 Synthesis Paper Final Draft 20 out of 350 |
R 18 |
Scheduled Final Exam 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM |
FINAL EXAM DUE 6 PM 50 out of 400 |