COMM 245

Mass Communication and Culture

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]

Grading: Grading will be based on three exams and one paper.

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.

The first exam will cover readings and lectures covering classes 1-8. The second exam will cover readings and lectures classes covering 9-17. The third exam will cover readings and lectures covering classes 18-23.

Paper. I would like students to complete a 3-5 page paper that presents their thoughts about the future of the traditional mass media (books, newspapers, magazines, film, radio, television, and recorded music) and how upcoming technical developments will change their content and/or delivery. In other words, what will the home media environment of the future be like in the next 10 years. Students should draw on class material, their own experience, and library sources to draw informed, thoughtful conclusions. This paper must be typed and is worth 20 points. The paper should be mailed to me at my office by the date of the final exam or turned in with the third exam.

There will be a total of 170 possible points in this class. Grades will be assigned as follows:

153 points = A	131 = B-	107 = D+
148 = A-	124 = C+	102 = D
141 = B+	119 = C	97 = D-
136 = B	114 = C-	below 85 = 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		Exam 1
5	9	Magazines & Books	V 2, 3
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
Final’s Week		Final Exam

Note. The videotapes are made during actual lectures. I prepare each class to be 75 minutes in length. So, a class might cover more than one topic and videotapes might have more than one class on them.