Instructor: Elizabeth M. Perse
Address: 240 Pearson Hall
Department of Communication
University of Delaware
Newark, DE 19716
Phone: 302-831-8041
e-mail: eperse@udel.edu

Office Hours: by appointment

Messages may be left on voice or e-mail. I will get back to you as soon as possible .

Course Objective/Description: The course provides an overview of print and electronic media, film and advertising. We will consider history, structure, functions, and effects of the various media. The course material is designed to give students a comprehensive understanding of mass communication and its various applications in contemporary society.

Class Web Site: http://www.udel.edu/comm245/comm245.html

Textbook Web site: http://www.ablongman.com/vivian

Texts: Vivian, J. (2003). The media of mass communication (2003 updated ed.). Boston: Allyn and Bacon/Longman. [V]

A packet of required readings. [R]

NOTE:

I RECOMMEND THAT YOU PURCHASE A NEW TEXTBOOK, AS CHAPTER 20 IS ON THE TEXTBOOK'S PASSWORD PROTECTED WEB SITE. STUDENTS WHO HAVE PURCHASED USED TEXTBOOKS IN THE PAST HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO ACCESS THE WEB SITE BECAUSE PRIOR OWNERS HAVE SET THE PASSWORD.

Grading: Grading will be based on three exams.

Exams. Exams are closed book, multiple-choice format and worth 50 points (1 point for each question). Exam booklets will be returned to me. Students will be able to keep their graded answer sheets. I will discuss any questions about the graded exams.

There will be a total of 150 possible points in this class. Grades will be assigned as follows:
 

135 points = A	115 = B-	95 = D+
130 = A-	110 = C+	90 = D
125 = B+	105 = C	85 = D-
120 = B	100 = C-	below 80 = F

Academic Honesty and Dishonesty. I expect all students to be familiar with and follow the University of Delaware's policy on Academic Honesty and Dishonesty. Students are expected to sign a statement of academic honesty on each exam.

Policy on Late Submissions. I expect students to complete all their course work as assigned.

Extra Credit. Because the Department of Communication is committed to advancing knowledge in our field, extra credit will be given only for participating in communication research. Research opportunities will be announced as they arise.
 

Course Schedule
Week	Class	Topic	Assignment
1	1	Introduction to the class	V 1
1	2	Why study mass comm	R 1-3
2	3	Mass and other communication	V 14, R 4-13, V9
2	4	Media systems	V 17, 16, 22 (online chapter), R 14-18
3	5	Media Ownership
3	6	Economic constraints	R 19-27
4	7	Political constraints	V 19, R 28-32, R 77-81
4	8	Newspapers	V 4, V 10 (pp. 247 -256)
5	9	Magazines & Books	V 2, 3
5		Exam 1
6	10	Popular Music	V 5
6	11	Film	V 6
7	12	Radio waves	V 7, R 33-44
7	13	Radio
8	14	Radio
8	15	Television	V 8, R 45-57
9		NO CLASS - Election Day
9	16	Television
10	17	Ratings	V 13, R 58-71
10		Exam 2
11	18	Media Effects	V 15, 16
11	19	Socialization
12	20	Violence
12	21	Journalism	V 10
13	22	Advertising	V 12, R 72-76
13	23	Television and Politics Internet paper due	V 18
Finals Week		Final Exam