Syllabus
MCM 210-01 TR 12:30 p.m. 1:45 p.m.
Old Main 237
Department of Mass
Communications University of North Carolina at
Pembroke
An introduction to the print and electronic media of mass communication and their audiences; the historical, technological, social and economic implications of media; and how to use media effectively in our lives.
Newspapers, magazines, and books are print mass media. Radio, television, and film are electronic mass media. Advertising and public relations are integral parts of mass media. Technologies provide these channels which we use to circulate information and values throughout society.
This introductory course describes the historic evolution and present status of mass media, focusing on the United States, but also including other regions of the world. The course explores interactions between media and society including social, cultural, political and economic impacts of media on society. Control of media is discussed. Ethical approaches of media are emphasized. Media theories are explored.
DeFleur, Melvin L. and Everette E. Dennis. Understanding Mass Communication. 7th Ed., Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2002.
While working on your academic
degree here at UNCP, and later in your professional career, you will find it
essential to stay up-to-date on current events and the state-of-the-art in news
gathering and packaging technology. Events, as reflected in mass media, change
constantly. To maintain current knowledge, you should read a major newspaper
every day. For instance, you might select the Fayetteville Observer,
Charlotte Observer, Raleigh News & Observer, Washington Post, or New York Times. In addition, you should read a
weekly newsmagazine such as Time or Newsweek.
In addition, you will find it
profitable to read the weekly business journals for media professionals such as
Editor & Publisher (newspapers), Folio (magazines), Broadcasting & Cable (radio and television), or Advertising
Age (advertising).
These publications are in the UNCP library and all of them have affiliated
websites, which can be great way stations during your daily excursion through the
world of mass media.
Monday and Wednesday: 10-11:30 a.m. and 1:30-2:30 p.m.
In addition, Dr. Curtis frequently can be found in his
office at other times during weekdays.
Office: 247 Old Main
/ phone: 521-6616 /
email: acurtis@uncp.edu
This
schedule should be seen as a guide to expectations as of the beginning of the
semester. Dates may change as more or less time may be required to complete
topics. Some topics may not be covered due to developing time constraints.
Content areas may not be presented in an order planned at the outset. Your
professor reserves the right to amend the syllabus, as needed, depending on
work accomplished in classes and the needs of students enrolled in the course.
Week of Jan. 10:
Course introduction
Mass Communication, chapter 1
Week of Jan. 17:
Books, chapter 2
Newspapers, chapter 3
Week of Jan. 24:
Newspapers, chapter 3
Magazines, chapter 4
Week of Jan. 31:
Quiz on chapters 1-4
Movies, chapter 5
Week of Feb. 7:
Movies, chapter 5
Radio, chapter 6
Week of Feb. 14:
Television, chapter 7
Television, chapter 7
Week of Feb. 21:
Quiz on chapters 5-7
Popular Culture, chapter 10
Week of Feb. 28:
Advertising, chapter 11
Public Relations, chapter 12
Week of Mar. 7:
Spring Break, Mar. 7-11
Week of Mar. 14:
American Audience, chapter 13
Controls, chapter 14
Week of Mar. 21:
Controls, chapter 14
New Media, chapter 8
Week of Mar. 28:
Convergence, chapter 8
Quiz on chapters 8,10-14
Week of Apr. 4:
International Communication, chapter 9
Media Effects, chapter 15
Term paper and team presentation proposals due
Week of Apr. 11:
Ethics, chapter 16
Quiz on chapters 9, 15-16
Week of Apr. 18:
Presentations teams 1 & 2
Presentations teams 3 & 4
Week of Apr. 25:
Presentations teams 5 & 6
Presentations teams 7 & 8
Week of May. 2:
Final Exam Week Final for this course is Tuesday, May 3,
at 11 a.m. in 237OM Term paper due
Quizzes. Four objective tests, covering readings and lecture
material, must be taken on the scheduled dates.
Presentations. Teams composed of two or three class members will make
presentations to the class on an assigned date based on research you conduct
about a specific area of mass communication related to your text and our class
discussions. These presentations will take place at the end of the semester.
Your team will propose your presentation topic to the professor for approval.
Additional information on this assignment will be distributed in a separate
handout.
Term Paper. The term paper will be a mass media content analysis. You
will pick a medium and analyze its content thoroughly over a predetermined
period of time. You may choose a medium that interests you from among books, newspapers,
magazines, radio, television, motion pictures, the recording industry, computer
information networks, advertising or public relations.
This will not be a paper about an issue or topic that is not
media related. More information on this assignment will be distributed in a
separate handout.
You should present a content analysis proposal to the
professor by the due date shown above. The proposal may be one paragraph, or
more if necessary to explain your plan. After receiving the professor's approval,
begin to research and write the final paper.
Work on the final paper may require research in
Sampson-Livermore Library or other libraries, searching the World Wide Web,
listening to and watching radio and television programs, video and audio
recordings, reading books, newspapers or magazines, or other investigations
where appropriate.
The paper must be typewritten, double-spaced, on one side of
several sheets of paper with one-inch margins all around. Length depends on the
thoroughness of your analysis. The more thorough your analysis, the better. On
the other hand, lengthening your analysis with wasted verbiage will detract
from the final paper. At any rate, the paper should be 5-8 pages long. There is
no penalty for a paper longer than eight pages. Staple the pages together. Be
sure your name is on your work. Hand in the final paper at the class meeting in
final exam week. Papers also can be handed in earlier.
Final papers will be
graded subjectively on clarity of purpose, appropriate supporting statements,
analysis depth, clear and concise writing style, efficient use of words,
grammar, organization, preparation, research accuracy, spelling, and proper use
of MLA style.
Grades:
Your semester grade
will be based on your work during the course, including quizzes, term paper,
presentation, attendance and participation. Course Grading:
Quizzes 1-4 40% 10% each
Presentation 20%
Final paper 20%
Attendance and participation 20%
Total: 100%
Grading Scale:
100-90%=A to A-;
89-80%=B+ to B-; 79-70%=C+ to C-; 69-60%=D+ to D-; 59% and below=F
Reading: Please complete each reading assignment PRIOR to the day it is assigned so you can take part in
discussions in class and apply the knowledge gained from reading.
Writing: All written assignments and proposals must be typed or
computer printed. Papers should follow MLA style for appearance and citations.
All papers must have a WORKS
CITED bibliography list.
Attendance and Participation: Attendance is very important, while
absence is counterproductive. Your active presence in class is essential.
Classroom communication is a process of sharing. Your observations, insights
and analyses are valuable to the whole class. Your attendance and participation
will be reflected in a concrete way in your semester grade. You must be present
for ALL quizzes and exams. Multiple
unexplained and unexcused absences will result in deduction of extra penalties.
Multiple excused absences also will lower your grade significantly.
Assignment Deadlines: Deadlines are important. You must deliver finished
assignments on their due dates to receive full credit. If you miss part or all
of a class, it remains your responsibility to turn in assignments due that day
and to complete the assignments for the next class day. Assignment tardiness
will be penalized.
Student
Academic Honor Code: You have the
responsibility to know and observe the UNCP Academic Honor Code which forbids
cheating, plagiarism, abuse of academic materials, fabrication, or
falsification of information, and complicity in academic dishonesty.
Special Assistance: Please see the instructor as soon as possible if you
have questions or difficulty. Any student with a documented disability needing
academic adjustments is requested to speak directly to Disability Support
Services and the instructor as early in the semester as possible, preferably
within the first week. All
discussions will be confidential.
Please contact Mary Helen Walker, Disability Support Services, DF Lowry
building, 521-6695.