|
|||||
|
|
|||||
|
Course Description: This course provides an overview of how American media have and continue to form citizen views of political and social issues and, in important ways, our view of the American character and citizenship itself. The information upon which civic action is based comes principally through media and, with the rise of social media and internet activism, civic action itself is becoming more and more a media activity. This course emphasizes the two faces of mediated civic action. Students will first focus on the constructed nature of mediated news and information of consequence to the engaged citizen on the way to becoming informed critics the media information they consume. Students will later become conversant with the means and methods by which individuals and groups can influence mass media and join with others to accomplish civic goals. While the course focuses mainly on news and information programming and the electronic media, journalism history, recent trends in “infotainment” (e.g. South Park, The Daily Show, etc.), advertising (“green” ads, media conglomeration, political persuasion, etc.) and the Internet (social media, blogging, Wikipedia, YouTube, etc.) will be examined as significant sources of citizen information and engagement. Students will apply critical thinking methods to the analysis and evaluation of news sources, conduct research to examine the “truthfulness” of media coverage on an issue of public interest and create a plan or project by which citizens can use media for constructive purposes. Required Texts:
Course Goals: Students will develop
Course Policies: Since the course depends on active discussion and collaborative work in groups students are expected to attend all class meetings. Additionally, due to the importance of collaborative projects in this course, students must expect to arrange and attend group meetings outside of regularly scheduled class time. Excessive class or group meeting absences may result in a student being placed on "no cuts" by the instructor or in a significant reduction in the student's grade in the course. In order to meet objectives students must always prepare for class by doing reading in advance as it is assigned and participate at every class meeting. In-class discussion and group work (in and out of class) comprise a significant portion of the course grade. Electronic devices (cell phones, etc.) are not to be used or be visible during class without permission of the instructor (Violations of this rule may result in removal of the device, dismissal from class for the day and will result in an unexcused absence).
Students are responsible for all assigned reading material whether or not it is discussed in class and all lecture material whether or not duplicated by readings. Except for medical or other emergency reasons, assignments will not necessarily be accepted late unless advance arrangements are made.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY CAN RESULT IN FAILING THIS COURSE and will be reported to the Academic Dean. Enrollment in this course constitutes an agreement by the student that the instructor may photocopy or otherwise maintain on file any materials produced for the course or submitted for assignments.
Graded Assignments:
All assignments will be given a letter grade and averaged equally as indicated above (i.e. A‑ = 3.67 x 20%) in order to compute the final grade for the course. Grades may be significantly lower for those who do not complete all assignments.
Course Engagement
Expectations: Most students
should expect to work an average of twelve hours each week for this class,
including the three hours of class time. On average you should devote
nine hours out of class each week to activities such as reading the text,
completing homework assignments, preparing answers to discussion questions,
analyzing media "texts," drafting papers, meeting out of class with project
team members, orally rehearsing presentations, researching and developing
news/information literacy materials, and studying for exams, etc.
The Nature of the Class:
As humans and citizens we are immersed in a symbolic environment composed,
in large part, by mediated messages supplied from books, magazines, radio,
television, and ever more and more, the internet. These messages are so
pervasive that we often "absorb" them without much thought about source,
intent, or bias. Especially in viewing video, it often seems as if the
medium "shows us the world." Thus, it is difficult to see that what media
provide us is not "pure reality." Media, through a complex process, provide
us with a world‑view that is highly interpreted. Our goal this semester is
to develop ways of understanding this process so that we can avoid being
passive "victims" of the media and become thoughtful critics.
Hopefully, we can come to imagine ourselves as participants through media in
constructing civic culture using new media ourselves as a vehicle to
influence the society we inhabit.
This class will make extensive use of teams in
completing assignments and projects. In fact, taking successful action
as a citizen requires
the ability to work with others, to meet deadlines, and to "pull your
weight." This course will require those same abilities. Working with
your project team can make the course fun and the workload less BUT only if
you cooperate, avoid procrastination, and take the initiative to meet with the
team outside of class for planning. Team members must work independently at
times. Letting down your teammates (e.g., missing deadlines, expecting
someone else to pick up your work, doing sloppy work, etc.) will not only
damage your performance but that of your colleagues on the team as well.
I take a very dim view of "free-loaders." Being organized as a team
will increase what you learn and make the course much easier and less
frustrating. On the other hand, in the real world of work it is not uncommon
to find yourself working with people who do not do their
fair share. Each person must decide how to deal with such situations and
accept responsibility for that decision. |