MCOM 385

Mass Media and Society
Spring 2006

Section 101 Monday 6:30-9:15

*** Syllabus updated March 13, 2006 ***

Instructor:

Jad Melki

Towson University

Office: T-Th 2:30-4:00 or M 5:30-6:30

Mass Communication and Communication Studies

Phone: 410-662-8078 (home)

8000 York Road

E-mail: jmelki@towson.edu

Towson, MD 21252

Office Hours: By appointment only. All students are welcome.

Email is the most efficient means of contact.

Course prerequisites: MCOM101 or EMF140

Course Overview: This is "a seminar on current issues and effects of mass communication." Students will learn how to:

Identify new and ongoing issues involving mass media and its effects on society.
Understand theories that apply to the relationships between mass media and society.
Develop competence in taking a position on an issue involving the mass media and society and employing arguments and evidence in support of that position.

We will take a critical approach to the study of the production and consumption of media products and focus on both U.S. and global media. We will discuss various media, including TV, radio, film, and the Internet and focus on important social issues, such as gender, violence, technology, politics, and economics. The course assumes that mass media play a dominant role in shaping contemporary societies.

Texts and Other Readings:

1. Textbook: Media/Society: Industries, Images and Audiences by David Croteau and William Hoynes, 3rd edition, Pine Forge Press, 2002

2. Online Readings: All links added to this syllabus are considered required readings unless otherwise provided.

3. Occasionally, I will distribute materials in class. In addition, all videos watched in class or are also required material. Students who miss class are expected to watch the videos on their own.

Format: The basis of our class approach is a mix of structured lectures, group discussion and individual and group exercises. This is punctuated by live and multi-media demonstrations. Given the cumulative nature of the course content and many of the readings, it is important for you to keep pace.

Work:

I expect all students to engage in discussions
Two spot presentations: At the beginning of each class, I will pick students (each student twice per semester) without prior notice and ask them to talk about a certain topic that is scheduled for lecture that day. The only preparation needed for this is reading the assigned material before class.
Four individual papers: these are short papers (one to two pages) that critique a media product within the framework of one of the discussed topics. Students will be able to choose from a list of assignments what to write about. Deadlines for each paper are in the syllabus below.
The final exam will be a cumulative test similar to the individual assignments done earlier. I will give more details about the exam in class.
The group project and presentation will be discussed thoroughly in class. Briefly, it is a project covering a specific theory of media and society. Each group will outline the theory in their project, give current examples, and present it in a persuasive manner. The project can be a web site, video, multimedia product or a traditional paper.

Grading:

What:	Points:
Attendance and participation	10
Two spot presentations	10
Four individual critical papers	20
Final Exam	20
Group Presentation	10
Group Project	30
Total	100

You are responsible for these as well as conventional materials (texts, handouts, tapes). Attendance is mandatory (unless excused by illness or other urgent need). Excused absences will only be given if you notify me prior to class time and provide documentation. Missing assignments (unexcused) will count as zero and late assignments will receive a 10-20% grade reduction per calendar day they are late.

I use plus/minus grading:

A (91.5-100) A- (89.5-91.49)	Student attends all classes, participates, and completes all work on time. Pursues ideas and concepts that are outside of the course requirements. Quality is above and beyond the assignments. Work and effort is excellent without error.
B+ (87.5-89.49) B (81.5-87.49) B- (79.5-81.49)	Student attends all classes, participates, and completes all work on time. Pursues ideas and concepts that are discussed within the course requirements with some extra effort. Quality is consistent with assignment expectations. Work and effort is good and above average with minimal error.
C+ (77.5-79.49) C (71.5-77.49) C- (69.5-71.499)	Student attends most classes, participates, and completes most work on time. Pursues ideas and concepts that are discussed within the course requirements. Quality is mostly consistent with assignment expectations. Work and effort is average with minimal error.
D (59.5 - 69.49)	Student attends many classes, participates, and completes most work on time. Pursues ideas and concepts that are discussed within the course requirements. Quality is generally consistent with assignment expectations. Work and effort is below average with error.
F (0-59.49)

Plagiarism (representing someone else's work as your own) is not acceptable behavior in universities, nor is copying materials from your classmates. I will spot check papers for plagiarism. Any form of cheating will not be tolerated and papers/assignments/tests with clearly plagiarized material will result in course failure and university officials on academic conduct will be notified. Please see the attached Plagiarism Memo.

Any "LectureNotes" linked in the syllabus below are not a reliable source for studying or a substitute for lectures or text books. They are provided as a courtesy and should only be used for extra information. Any problems with the links or content of those notes could not be used as an excuse for whatever problems the student faces.

MCOM 385

Mass Media and Society Spring 2006

Section 101 Monday 6:30-9:15

*** Syllabus updated March 13, 2006 ***

MCOM 385 Schedule

Mass Media and Society
Spring 2006

* Syllabus updated March 13, 2006 *