Return to COM 251 Syllabus
| Date | Topics | Readings |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 13 | Introduction Class Screening: Russian Ark Class Discussion: Creativity in the Media | No readings |
| Jan 20 | The Senses: Sound
Class Exercise: Boxes Powerpoint Presentation: The Soundscape The Senses: Sight Powerpoint Presentation: Sight |
R. Murray Schafer, Electronic Revolution (PDF)
Paul Martin Lester, What the Brain Sees: Color, Form, Depth, and Movement (PDF) |
| Jan 27 |
Defining Media
Social Construction of Reality Class Screening: The Office Semiotics Class Screening: Advertisements Powerpoint Presentation: Semiotics |
Media, Chaps 1-4, 7-8
Appendix 1 |
| Feb 3 | Mediation and Representation: The Text-in-the-audience and The Audience-in-the-text Class Screenings:
|
Media, Chaps 5-6 Tony Schwartz, The Responsive Chord (PDF) Nick Browne, "The Spectator in the Text" Robert Seiler, "Selling Patriotism/Selling Beer: The Case of the "I AM CANADIAN" Commercial" |
| Feb 10 |
Digital v. Analog (Re)production
Elements of Production: Aural
Powerpoint Presentation: Sound Elements |
Walter Benjamin,
"The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction"
Media Terms |
| Feb 17-24 | Elements of Production: Visual Class Screenings: 4 Gunfights at the OK Corral "Three Men and Adina" (an episode of Homicide) Powerpoint Presentation: Visual Elements |
Essay #1 Due: February 17
Appendix 2 |
| Mar 2 | Class Screening: Citizen Kane | |
| Mar 9 | Spring Break | |
| Mar 16 | Stories
Powerpoint Presentation: Narratives Powerpoint Presentation: Dramatic Stucture Class Screening: "Arrival" (an episode of The Prisoner) | Media, Chaps 9-11 |
| Mar 19 | Last day to withdraw | |
| Mar 23 | Ideologies and discourses | Essay #2 Due
Media, Chaps 12-15 |
| Mar 30 | Representations of Gender and Ethnicity Postmodernism Class Screening: Real Women Have Curves |
Media, Chaps 16-18 Chaps 19-20 |
| Apr 6 | Team Work Days | |
| Apr 13 | Production Forms:
The Television Series Class Screening: Anatomy of a Homicide (Frontline documentary followed by the "Subway" episode of Homicide Powerpoint Presentation: The Television Series |
No readings |
| April 20 |
Group Project Presentations
Media Journals Due | |
| April 27 |
Class Screening for Final Essay:
"Once Upon A Time" and "Fall Out" (the final two episodes of The Prisoner) |
|
| May 4 5:45-7:45pm | Final Essay Due | |