CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture: A WWWeb Journal ISSN 1481-4374
CLCWeb Library of Research and Information
<http://clcwebjournal.lib.purdue.edu/library/masscommunication.html> © Purdue University Press

department of communication studies, northeastern university CMN 1250 introduction to mass communication
instructor: steven totosy PhD <http://clcwebjournal.lib.purdue.edu/totosycv.html>
call anytime 781-729-1680 or e-mail <totosy@medienkomm.uni-halle.de>

1. course description and objectives
    1.1 this course is an introduction to the field and the study of mass media/communication. the objective of the course is the exploration, observation, discussion, and understanding of media as social and cultural communication. starting from an introduction to comparative cultural studies as a basis for/of communication and media studies, special attention is paid to texts, institutions, and audiences in media and mass communication. we discuss aspects of media and mass communication in the context of comparative cultural studies with special attention to: "texts" of culture, media, and communication; the structures and organization of media and mass communication including print, television, film, music, and radio; critical perspectives and analyses of the industries and institutions of media and mass communication and how they relate and affect our daily lives. most importantly, we observe media and mass communication. for a selected definitions for work in communication and media studies go to
<http://clcwebjournal.lib.purdue.edu/library/definitions(communicationstudies1).html>
    1.2 required text: lisa taylor and andrew willis, media studies: texts, institutions and audiences (oxford: blackwell, 1999). further texts may be assigned for reading and discussion from material available on the world wide web including clcweb: comparative literature and culture: a wwweb journal at
<http://clcwebjournal.lib.purdue.edu>. in addition, occasional tasks will be assigned from time to time.
    1.3 evaluation: media log (10%); term paper 1 (25%); presentation (20%); term paper 2 (35%); participation (10%).
    1.3.1 the media log serves to exemplify in a preliminary way the course participant's observation of selected aspects of media and mass communication. the manner of the observation may be "objective", that is, without value judgement(s) or subjective with value judgement(s). participants select a specific item in./of media and mass communication and submit a maximum one page list with brief comments about what has been observed. the media log is submitted to the instructor preferably in printed form. e-mail submission is encouraged. for an example of a medialog go to <http://clcwebjournal.lib.purdue.edu/library/medialog.html>.
    1.3.2 term paper 1 consists of an analysis of one or two specific items the participant selects from his/her media log prepared every two weeks. the length of term paper 1 is 1,500 words (single spaced, no secondary sources are required). term paper 1 is submitted to the instructor preferably in printed form. e-mail submission is encouraged.
    1.3.3 the presentation consists of an oral delivery of a selected topic in five minutes followed by an open question period of five minutes. the topic of the presentation may be the material analysed in term paper 1 or another topic selected by the participant and discussed with the instructor. the schedule of presentations is organised by the instructor in consultation with the class and on specific dates agreed upon.
    1.3.4 term paper 2 consists of a research paper with a minimum of three items of secondary sources and in the length of 1,500 words (single spaced). the instructor provides participants with a basic list of topics; however, participants are free to select topics of their own choice; the topic of term paper 2 is discussed with the instructor prior to research and writing of the paper. the format of term paper 2 is of the mla: modern language association of america format of parenthetical sources and a works cited. term paper 2 is submitted to the instructor preferably in printed form. e-mail submission is encouraged.
    1.3.5 participation: students are encouraged to participate actively in all discussions taking place in class and the mark assigned to participation reflects involvement in class discussion.
course plan

week one: course introduction and explanation of objectives, terms, terminologies, tasks, and assignments.
week two: introduction to comparative cultural studies and taylor/willis chapters 1, 2.
week three: taylor/willis chapters 3, 4, 5.
week four: taylor/willis chapters 6, 7, 8.
week five: taylor/willis chapters 9, 10, 11.
week six: taylor/willis chapters 12, 13, 14.
week seven: taylor/willis chapters 15, 16, 17.
week eight:  taylor/willis chapter 18 and "epilogue"; discussion of topics for term paper 2.
week nine: lecture of material by instructor and presentations.
week ten: lecture of material by instructor and presentations.
week eleven: lecture of material by instructor and presentations.
week twelve: recapitulation and summary of material covered in the course.


topics for term paper 1 and 2 and the presentation you are invited to write your papers (and prepare your presentation as described above) as follows: you first write term paper 1 in the length required; develop your presentation from a topic you dealt with in term paper 1; and write term paper 2 further developed on the same theme/topic and with the requirements as described above. it also acceptable to write on different topics for your term papers each.

    1) develop any one or two items (two items max.) from your media log into a discussion of your initial response to the item selected: introduce your topic and then develop your observation/opinion of the topic chosen
    2) discuss the role of a chosen medium in mass communication today (i.e., newspaper, television, radio, music, internet): introduce your topic with a general statement about what mass communication today is and represents, introduce your chosen topic, and present your opinion of the issues you raised.
    3) discuss the role of advertisement in a chosen medium in mass communication (i.e., newspaper, television, radio, music, internet): introduce your topic with a general statement about what advertisement today is and represents, introduce your chosen item of an advertisement (no more than three examples), and present your opinion of the issues you raised.
    4) discuss the situation and importance of ethics in mass communication today: introduce your definition of ethics, provide some examples of an ethical issue (no more than three examples), and discuss the issue you selected re ethics in mass communication.
    5) describe the history of a specific medium (i.e., newspaper, television, radio, music, internet) and close your description with your prediction with regard to the chosen medium in mass communicaton.
    6) describe a chosen institution of mass communication: introduce your topic with a definition of institution in mass communication, select one type of an institution, and describe the workings, form(s), and current situation of  the type of institution selected.
    7) describe audiences in mass communication: introduce your topic with a definition of audience in mass communication, select one type of audience, and provide data with regard to the type of audience selected.
    8) write your papers on a topic of your choice but not before discussing the topic with the instructor.

note: plagiarism is a serious academic offense and is listed as a level II serious violation of the northeastern university code of conduct (consult the student handbook for details). if uncertain as to what constitutes plagiarism, please consult the instructor. students who disregard this warning do so at their own risk.
CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture: A WWWeb Journal ISSN 1481-4374
CLCWeb Library of Research and Information
<http://clcwebjournal.lib.purdue.edu/library/masscommunication.html> © Purdue University Press