COMM 5: MASS COMMUNICATION
Foothill College Course Outline of Record
| Heading | Value |
|---|---|
| Units: | 5 |
| Hours: | 5 lecture per week (60 total per quarter) |
| Advisory: | Demonstrated proficiency in English by placement via multiple measures OR through an equivalent placement process OR completion of ESLL 125 & ESLL 249; not open to students with credit in JRNL 2. |
| Degree & Credit Status: | Degree-Applicable Credit Course |
| Foothill GE: | Non-GE |
| Transferable: | CSU/UC |
| Grade Type: | Letter Grade (Request for Pass/No Pass) |
| Repeatability: | Not Repeatable |
| Formerly: | JRNL 2 |
Description
Course Objectives
The student will be able to:
A. critically analyze the use of mass media in the areas of information, entertainment, and persuasion.
B. gain experience in the evaluation of mass communication content and practices.
C. examine the legal and ethical challenges facing modern media outlets.
D. practice audience analysis with emphasis on cultural background.
E. analyze the changing role of mass media in our increasingly diverse society.
Course Content
A. Critical analysis of media use
1. Historical development and current structure of mass media, including examination of communication theories, models, and processes.
2. Modern media's impact on everyday lives, culture/society, and government.
3. Journalism trends, including the evolution of creation, distribution, and exhibition of mass communication, as well as its changing audience.
B. Evaluation of communication media
1. History, growth, and development of print media.
a. Newspapers: students will discuss the concept of news and how editors select stories for regional and national newspapers.
b. Magazines: students will critically examine magazine content and advertising.
2. Evolution of of electronic media.
a. Radio: students will analyze and report on both local and satellite radio stations, and will reflect upon impactful historical examples, such as Edward Murrow's newscasts and the "War of the Worlds" program.
b. Television/Film: students will discuss the ratings system and popularity of network and cable programs. Images and stereotypes used in this medium will be studied. Televised political advertisements will be shown and discussed. Examination of impactful examples of motion picture history.
c. Internet: exploration of interactive mediated communication, including digital print, streaming video, and social media.
C. Examination of legal and ethical challenges in mass media
1. First Amendment review and study.
2. Importance of diverse racial, ethnic, and gender representation.
3. Concerns about stereotypes and sexual content.
D. Audience analysis
1. Methods of audience analytics, including primary, secondary, tertiary, and target audiences.
2. Characteristics of audiences, including geographic, socio-demographic, and psychographic.
E. Analysis of mass media's changing role
1. Concept of "mediated culture," in which media both reflects and shapes the culture.
2. Role and influence of mass media.
a. Class-dominant theory.
b. Limited-effects theory.
c. Culturalist theory.
Lab Content
Not applicable.
Special Facilities and/or Equipment
B. When taught as a hybrid course via Foothill Global Access: ongoing access to computer with email software and capabilities; email address; JavaScript enabled internet browsing software.
Method(s) of Evaluation
A. Individual or group project
B. Written outline
C. Research paper
D. Written examination
Method(s) of Instruction
A. Lecture
B. Discussion
C. Cooperative learning exercises
D. Electronic discussions/chat
E. Demonstration
Representative Text(s) and Other Materials
Baran, Stanley. Introduction to Mass Communication: Media Literacy and Culture. 8th ed. McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.
Cambell, Richard, et al. Media & Culture: Mass Communication in a Digital Age. 10th ed. Bedford/St. Martin's, 2015.
Hanson, Ralph E. Mass Communication: Living in a Media World. 6th ed. SAGE Publications, Inc., 2016.
Types and/or Examples of Required Reading, Writing, and Outside of Class Assignments
A. Reading assignments from text and outside sources.
B. Online discussion participation in response to prompt.
C. Journal entries related to course content.
C. Video, audio, animation and/or webpage presentations.