SOCIOLOGY OF MASS COMMUNICATION SOCI L COURSE SYLLABUS: SPRING 2017

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1 SOCIOLOGY OF MASS COMMUNICATION SOCI L COURSE SYLLABUS: SPRING 2017 (This document is tentative and subject to change at any time during the semester.) Class Schedule: Instructor: Office Hours: Office: This is a 100% Online course. The Blackboard Discussion Board and the official UTRGV mailbox are the required ways of communication. Make sure that you have daily access to Blackboard and UTRGV mailbox. All the assignments, quizzes and exams should be submitted exclusively on Blackboard. Dr. Katarzyna Sepielak katarzyna.sepielak@utrgv.edu When ing, please include course name or number (Mass Communication 3345) in the subject line or message body. T 10:30-12:00, or by appointment MAIN 1.434, Brownsville campus REQUIRED TEXTBOOK: Title: Mass Communication Author: Hanson Edition: 6th View ISBN: Publisher: Sage Publications, Incorporated 1

2 COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to be an introduction to mass communication. The purpose of this course is to study the development, structure and function of mass media. We will explore both mainstream and emerging media, the organizational foundations and business of these industries, their effects, and how we, as media consumers, engage with the media. We will also study the complex ways that media interact with social forces, both influencing and being influenced by society. These forces include economics, formal and informal regulation, and culture. A focus throughout the semester will be on media literacy, or the ability to critically analyze the media and their messages. This will include discussions of various communication theories, the ways they have been used to study media, and major research findings based on these theories. COURSE OBJECTIVES: Understanding of the basic factors affecting mass communication and mass media; Understanding of society s impact on the media and the media s impact on individuals and society; Development of analytical and critical thinking skills concerning the mass media and mass media messages; Understanding of media output as expressions of individual and societal values within technical, economic, historical and social contexts; Expansion of students depth and scope of media use and understanding. Development of enhanced abilities to decipher nuances of mass messages, developed through reading and writing assignments and class discussions. COURSE ETIQUETTE: You may find some of the material we cover in class controversial. We will examine different perspectives based on sociological insight and evidence. You should respectfully share your points of view and at the same time keep in mind that others will have differing opinions. Do not be rude or post unacceptable remarks. Do not take any statements made in class personally. Instead, try to accept them in the broader context of expanding your knowledge and understanding of different groups. COURSE COMMUNICATION / GENERAL QUESTIONS: The Discussion Board is our classroom. It is a place for you to ask questions and/or post concerns. Check the Discussion Board before posting a new inquiry. Chances are another student has already asked this questions! Do NOT your instructor with general questions/concerns USE Discussion Board instead: Chances are another student would like to know the answer! Also, if you know the answer to another student's question or concern, please respond. 2

3 COURSE COMMUNICATION / PERSONAL QUESTIONS: Remember, Discussion Board is a public forum and all of your classmates have access to it. If your question or concern is of a personal nature, send an to your instructor: Katarzyna.sepielak@utrgv.edu COURSE GRADING POLICY: QUIZZES: Throughout the semester students will be required to complete ten (10) quizzes (one for each chapter). There will be 10 multiple choice and true or false questions on each quiz. Each quiz is worth 50 points (5 points per question) ASSIGNMENTS: Throughout the semester four (4) assignments will be assigned. The assignments might consist of individual work or discussion in groups on Blackboard s Discussion Board. Further information regarding these assignments will be given throughout the semester. Each assignment is worth 50 points FINAL EXAM: One (1) final examination will be carried out at the end of this semester. The final exam will include the basic theoretical concepts. It will consist of short essay questions. The final exam is worth 300 points MAKE UP WORK: No makeups on quizzes or assignments. Failure to take a quiz or exam on time or turn in an assignment on time will result in a 0. COURSE GRADING SUMMARIZED: GRADING ITEM MAX. POINTS % OF THE FINAL GRADE Quizzes (ten in total) 50 points each x 10 = 500 total 5% each x 10 = 50% total Assignments (four in total) 50 points each x 4 = 200 total 5% each x 4 = 20% total Final Exam 300 points 30% Total 1000 points 100% 3

4 COURSE SCHEDULE: The following list of topics, readings and exams is TENTATIVE and subject to change. During the semesters the professor will announce: - Details on required assignments - Alterations to the schedule - Exam dates and covered material Week Date Coursework/Activities 1 01/17 01/22 Course Introduction Reading: Syllabus Buy the required Textbook 2 01/23 01/29 Reading: Chapter 1: Living in a Media World Graded Activities: Chapter 1 Quiz 3 01/30 02/05 Reading: Chapter 2: Mass Communication Effects: How Society and Media Interact Graded Activities: Chapter 2 Quiz 4 02/06 02/12 Reading: Chapter 3. The Media Business: Consolidation, Globalization, and the Long Tail Graded Activities: Chapter 3 Quiz 5 02/13 02/19 Graded Activities: Assignment /20 02/26 Reading: Chapter 4. Books: The Birth of the Mass Media Graded Activities: Chapter 4 Quiz 7 02/27 03/05 Reading: Chapter 5. Magazines: The Power of Words and Images Graded Activities: Chapter 5 Quiz 8 03/06 03/12 Reading: Chapter 6. Newspapers and the News: Reflection of a Democratic Society Graded Activities: Chapter 6 Quiz 9 03/13 03/19 Spring break. No classes 10 03/20 03/26 Graded Activities: Assignment /27 04/02 Reading: Chapter 7. Audio: Music and Talk Across Media Graded Activities: Chapter 7 Quiz 12 04/03 04/09 Reading: Chapter 8. Movies: Mass Producing Entertainment Graded Activities: Chapter 8 Quiz 13 04/10 04/16 Graded Activities: Assignment /17 04/23 Reading: Chapter 9. Television: Broadcast and Beyond Graded Activities: Chapter 9 Quiz 15 04/24 04/30 Reading: Chapter 10: Online Media: The Internet, Social Media, and Video Games Graded Activities: Chapter 10 Quiz 16 05/01 05/07 Graded Activities: Assignment /08 05/11 Final Exam 4

5 COURSE NAVIGATION: This course is made of several sections. These sections are described on page 5. It is recommended that you become familiar with each of these sections as some may be regulated by time and date. This means content in some sections will only appear for the periods set up by your instructor. (If you need access to content no longer visible, please contact your instructor.) NOTE: Even if you print any course material, please remember to check these sections often. The content in each of these sections may change after you have made your printouts. This section provides the general requirements, expectations and Course Syllabus Announcements outcomes for the course. Please review this section thoroughly and become familiar with it. This section of the course provides updates with information relevant to you. Announcements may come from your institution and instructor. This section provides weekly details of assignments, quizzes, and other Weekly Modules course activities. Please visit this section frequently to keep up with your course. This is the section where most of your online interactions will occur with Discussion Board Quizzes Assignments Final Exam My Grades About your professor both your instructor and fellow students. Visit this section often to participate in your course. In this section you can find the quizzes on the assigned readings (one quiz for each chapter). This section provides weekly details on your assignments. Also in this section you submit a completed assignment. In this section the final exam will be posted. This section lets you check your progress in your course. You will be able to check any grades posted by your instructor. This section provides the general information about your professor and contact details. 5

6 SYLLABUS ADDENDUM UNIVERSITY POLICIES STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: If you have a documented disability (physical, psychological, learning, or other disability which affects your academic performance) and would like to receive academic accommodations, please inform your instructor and contact Student Accessibility Services to schedule an appointment to initiate services. It is recommended that you schedule an appointment with Student Accessibility Services before classes start. However, accommodations can be provided at any time. Brownsville Campus: Student Accessibility Services is located in Cortez Hall Room 129 and can be contacted by phone at (956) (Voice) or via at ability@utrgv.edu. Edinburg Campus: Student Accessibility Services is located in 108 University Center and can be contacted by phone at (956) (Voice), (956) (Fax), or via at ability@utrgv.edu. MANDATORY COURSE EVALUATION PERIOD: Students are required to complete an ONLINE evaluation of this course, accessed through your UTRGV account ( you will be contacted through with further instructions. Students who complete their evaluations will have priority access to their grades. Online evaluations will be available: Feb 15 Feb 21 for Module 1 courses Apr 12 Apr 18 for Module 2 courses Apr 12 May 3 for full spring semester courses ATTENDANCE: Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes and may be dropped from the course for excessive absences. UTRGV s attendance policy excuses students from attending class if they are participating in officially sponsored university activities, such as athletics; for observance of religious holy days; or for military service. Students should contact the instructor in advance of the excused absence and arrange to make up missed work or examinations. SCHOLASTIC INTEGRITY: As members of a community dedicated to Honesty, Integrity and Respect, students are reminded that those who engage in scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course and expulsion from the University. Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to: cheating, plagiarism, and collusion; submission for credit of any work or 6

7 materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person; taking an examination for another person; any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student; or the attempt to commit such acts. Since scholastic dishonesty harms the individual, all students and the integrity of the University, policies on scholastic dishonesty will be strictly enforced (Board of Regents Rules and Regulations and UTRGV Academic Integrity Guidelines). All scholastic dishonesty incidents will be reported to the Dean of Students. SEXUAL HARASSMENT, DISCRIMINATION, and VIOLENCE: In accordance with UT System regulations, your instructor is a responsible employee for reporting purposes under Title IX regulations and so must report any instance, occurring during a student s time in college, of sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, domestic violence, or sexual harassment about which she/he becomes aware during this course through writing, discussion, or personal disclosure. More information can be found at including confidential resources available on campus. The faculty and staff of UTRGV actively strive to provide a learning, working, and living environment that promotes personal integrity, civility, and mutual respect in an environment free from sexual misconduct and discrimination. COURSE DROPS: According to UTRGV policy, students may drop any class without penalty earning a grade of DR until the official drop date. Following that date, students must be assigned a letter grade and can no longer drop the class. Students considering dropping the class should be aware of the 3-peat rule and the 6-drop rule so they can recognize how dropped classes may affect their academic success. The 6-drop rule refers to Texas law that dictates that undergraduate students may not drop more than six courses during their undergraduate career. Courses dropped at other Texas public higher education institutions will count toward the six-course drop limit. The 3-peat rule refers to additional fees charged to students who take the same class for the third time. 7