COMMUNICATION/AMERICAN STUDIES 150

Introduction to the Mass Media in America

Fall Quarter, 2004

 

Dr. Roger George

Office: R230D

Office Hours:  11:30-12:20 daily

(425) 564 2021

e-mail:  rgeorge@bcc.ctc.edu

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

 

            Information is power, and since the time of the American Revolution, information has been considered fundamental to our freedom.  Today, we have access to more information from more media than ever before.  But has it made us freer?  How reliable is it?  We have more entertainment available than ever before, too.  But what are the consequences?  Are we, as Neil Postman put it, “amusing ourselves to death?”

 

            Every day, we’re bombarded by media messages.  Some maintain that we owe our very sense of what’s “normal” and “natural” to these media—that our own individual experiences and observations are overwhelmed by the images and sounds we encounter on the job, at school, even in our most private moments at home. 

 

This course will examine the role and the history of the mass media and their impact on American culture and society.  We’ll look at:

 

·        The nature of the mass media in America and how they developed as they have

·        the impact of our media upon our democratic society—particularly our entertainment, the ways we get our news, and political and corporate advertising.

·        Current issues in media (recording, television & film, video games, etc.)

·        the limits of the first amendment and the tension between the ideal of free, unrestricted speech and the need/desire of authorities to control the media.

·        changes in ownership, changes in technology, and where all of this is taking us.

 

Texts

 

Richard Campbell, Christopher Martin, Bettin Fabos, Media and Culture 4 (2005 Update)

 

Other Resources

 

Internet access is available in the library, as well as in the NWCET computer labs.  We will use the Internet and other multi-media resources as part of this class.

 

Some books and articles may be placed on reserve in the BCC Library.

 

Expectations

 

A popular “buzzword” in the media these days in “interactive.”  It applies to this class as well.  You are expected to be a participant, not a spectator.  I want an exchange of ideas and observations, not just a lecture.  To succeed in this interactive class, you will need to:

 

 

 

·        read thoroughly and critically.  This means making margin notes, using a highlighter to mark passages which seem to be important, asking questions or making comments in the margins and, of course, completing all reading by the assigned date. Your textbook includes an interactive CD ROM with lots of Web links.  Use them.  You may expect quizzes over the reading material throughout the quarter.

·        attend class.   At the Academy Awards a few years ago, director Stanley Donen said that the secret to success is “showing up.”  You will not get a “B for breathing;” you will, however, fail to earn credit if you fail to attend.  The Arts and Humanities Division policy is that if you miss more than one-fifth of the class (or, since this is a Tuesday-Thursday class, four class sessions), that in itself is grounds for failing the class—even if you turn in all assignments.  Even if you don’t fail the class completely, your overall grade may be lowered by however much I consider to be appropriate. Much will go on in the class which simply can’t be reconstructed from somebody else’s notes or from the reading.  You are expected to be in class on time; if you arrive late, you may not be credited with attendance.

·        turn in assignments on time.  You will be writing a number of papers and possibly doing some investigative projects.  The deadlines are fixed; if you fail to turn in a paper or complete a project on time, you will receive a grade for it which is no higher than the lowest grade given to anybody who turned the paper in by the due date.

·        improve your writing and reading skills. College-level reading and writing skills are expected for the highest grades; plan to use the Writing Lab to revise your papers if your writing is not at this level.

·        Keep up with all reading, class discussion, and projects so that you’ll be ready for the midterm and final.

 

Grading

 

Your final grade will be based upon the following:

 

·        three short papers, each worth 15% (one (may be replaced

·        by a group  project)                                                          45%

·        midterm exam                                                                  15%

·        final exam or extended paper                                          30%

·        quizzes and participation                                      10%

 

These percentages or the nature of the assignments may change after discussion with the class.

 

 

READ THE POLICIES OF THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES DIVISION AT THE FOLLOWING URL:    http://www.bcc.ctc.edu/artshum/policy.html  THESE ARE THE POLICIES OF THIS CLASS, AND YOU WILL BE EXPECTED TO HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD THEM.  BE ESPECIALLY SURE TO READ THE SECTION ON “ACADEMIC HONESTY.”  I HAVE A “ZERO TOLERANCE” POLICY ON PLAGIARISM.

 

CLASS INFORMATION, THE SYLLABUS, ASSIGNMENTS, AND USEFUL WEB LINKS WILL BE POSTED ONLINE AT:  http://www.bcc.ctc.edu/artshum/materials/

 

IF YOU LACK INTERNET ACCESS OR SKILLS, PLEASE REQUEST A PRINTED COPY OF ANY MATERIAL PLACED ONLINE.

 

 

SPECIAL NEEDS

 

See the Arts and Humanities Division Policies statement.  Students with disabilities who have accommodation needs are required to meet with the Director of Disability Support Services, room B233-G (telephone 425-564-2490 or TTY 425-603-4110) to establish their eligibility for accommodation.  In addition, students are encouraged to review their accommodation requirements with each instructor during the first week of the quarter.