COM 330 Theories of Mass Communication
Fall 2002
T-R 3:00-4:15
Neff 141

Table of Contents
Instructor Information
Course Description
Course Objectives
Texts
Assignments
Course Policies
Course Schedule and Readings
Work Teams

Dr. Jonathan David Tankel
230F Neff Hall
Phone: 481-5789
E-mail: tankel@ipfw.edu
Office Hours:
Monday 3:15-4:15
Tuesday 9:30-11:00
and by appointment

Course Description
An examination of mass communication theories and theorists. Cr. 3.

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Course Objectives
At the conclusion of the course, students will be able:

  1. To articulate various theories that can explain the phenomenon of mass communication;
  2. To delineate the development of mass communication theory; and
  3. To critically assess the quality and applicability of mass communication research.

Readings



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Assignments
All assignment must be completed in order to achieve a passing grade in this course.

  1. Abstracts: Each student will write two (2) abstracts of recent mass media scholarship. The articles must be approved in advance and a copy of the article must accompany the paper. The abstract will consist of (1) a concise summary of the article's main points and (2) an assessment of how the chosen article "theorizes" mass communication (for example, in what tradition can it be categorized and why?).
  2. Review of Literature: Each student will write a review of literature for a proposed research project in mass communication. The review will consist of classic and recent research on the proposed topic. A minimum of ten (10) sources will be presented in a narrative form, with a summary of each publication grouped accordingly. If time and class size permits,proposed projects will presented to the class during the Final Examination Period. Note: Articles abstracted for Assignment #1 may be used for the review.
  3. Final Essay: Each student will write a book review for The Mass Comm Murders by Arthur Asa Berger. The essay will evaluate the author's presentation of mass communication theory and whether the book is a "good read."
  4. Discussion leader: Each work team will organize and lead class discussion leader for one (1) class session. Teams will choose one class session starting October 1 with the section on Cutural Indicators. The team will prepare a summary of the day's readings and a list of questions or topics that the class should address. The team may use audio-visual support and may assign additional readings as desired.
  5. Class interaction: This portion of the grade will be determined by (1) participation in class discussion that indicates knowledge of the readings.
Grading
Course assignments and examinations will be weighted as follows:
Abstract #1 200 points
Abstract #2 200 points
Review of Literature300 points
Discussion Team Group Project 100 points
Final Essay150 points
Class Interaction 50 points
Total 1000 points

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The final grade will be based on the following scale:
PointsGrade
1000-890 pointsA
889-790 pointsB
789-700 pointsC
699-600 pointsD
599 points-belowF

Course Policies
1. You are expected to attend class.
2. All assignments must be turned in. Failure to turn in an assigment will result in a grade of F for the course.
3. No late assignments will be accepted. Due dates are stated in the syllabus.
4. No handwritten assignments will be accepted.

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Campus Services
1. If you have or aquire a disability and would like to find out what special services may be available to you, contact Services for Students with Disabilities in WU 118 & 218 (481-6657, voice/TTY).
2. The IPFW Writing Center: Click here for information about the Writing Center.

Click here for
COM 330 Class Schedule



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URL:http://users.ipfw.edu/tankel/syllabi/com330f02.htm
Revised: 19 August 2002
M01