Monday 4 pm, SH 115
Dr. Niaz Ahmed
Professor & Director of Graduate Studies
Office: SH 139 Phone: 308-5258
Hours: M, T, W, R 3 to 4 p.m.
ther times by appointment.
Email:
nahmed@stcloudstate.edu,
Web:
http://web.stcloudstate.edu/nahmed/
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this
course is to expose the students to various mass communications
theories that are generally utilized to explain the structures,
processes, contents and effects of mass media. The course will
examine how mass communication theories have developed and changed
as the field has matured. The course will focus on the functions
and impacts of the mass media in contemporary society, particularly
on their effects on social norms, values, public opinion, agenda
setting, knowledge gap, socialization, social control and social
changes.
The course will also discuss the scientific method and mass
communication models, the role of perception in communication, media
credibility, professionalism, ethics, social responsibility,
persuasion, media convergence, diversity issues in the media, media
operations and normative media behavior. In addition, the course
will include a discussion of the major issues in mass communication
and an overview of the major critical approaches to mass media
analysis.
The SCSU Department of Mass Communications is committed to
preserving and fostering diversity and complying with the equity
guidelines set by the university. At the department level, we
recognize diversity in faculty, staff, and students, and we strive
to enhance the richness offered by such diversity. Every member of
this class must work within an academic climate of respect and
civility, and treat others in a professional and respectful manner.
REQUIRED TEXT
Severin, W. J. and Tankard, W.J. (2001). Communication Theories.
NY: Longman.
RECOMMENDED BOOKS
Stanley J. Baran and Dennis K. Davis. (2008).
Mass Communication Theory: Foundations,
Ferment, and Future.
NY: Wadsworth.
Jack Rosenberry and Lauren A Vicker. (2008).
Applied Mass Communication Theory.
CA: Allyn & Bacon.
Richard L. West and Lynn H. Turner. (2009).
Introducing Communication Theory: Analysis and
Application. NY: McGraw Hill.
REQUIREMENTS
I. Annotated Bibliography. Due date: See Course Schedule. A
detailed handout is attached.
II. Final Research
Paper. Due date: See Course Schedule. A detailed handout is
attached.
III. Examinations and
Quizzes
Dates: See course schedule.
GROUND RULES FOR
CLASS
Failure to comply with the ground rules will affect your grade
negatively. You must conduct yourself in a positive, respectful and
cooperative manner at all times while attending class. If you have a
question or if you want the professor to slow down, feel free to
raise your hand and let the instructor know. If you missed
something while taking notes, you should ask the instructor to
repeat that information rather than asking a classmate next to you.
If you ask your classmate or look at his/her notes while the
instructor continues with his lecture, you will end up missing
additional information.
Any uncivil or inappropriate behaviors will be dealt with in
accordance with the university policy on disruptive behavior.
Uncivil behaviors distract the instructor and other students in
class, disrupt classroom learning, discourage other students from
participating, and negatively affect the instructor's goals for the
class session. Such behaviors are not suited to effective
professional interactions. This strict policy is for the benefit of
the entire class. The ground rules will ensure that inappropriate
behaviors of one or two individuals will not create distractions and
disruptions when the class is in session.
You must follow the
guidelines listed below.
-
Come to class on
time and be attentive
-
Do not get up during
class, leave and return unless it is an emergency
-
Do not leave before
the class is over
-
Maintain academic
honesty
-
Do not chat with
others while the class is in session
-
Do not sleep while
the class is in session
-
Do not do homework
for other classes
-
Read the syllabus
and handouts carefully and follow the instructions
-
Do not eat or drink
while the class is in session
-
Do not smile or
laugh in response to others’ comments while the instructor is
lecturing
-
Submit each
assignment on the due date
-
Do not show
disrespect for the instructor or fellow students
-
Do not read
newspapers, magazines or other non-class material
-
Take each exam on
the scheduled date (no make-up exams).
-
Do not use a palm
pilot, I-Pod or other devices for non-class activities
-
Do not use your cell
phone for text messaging
-
Do not engage in
fidgeting (tapping, gum-snapping, etc.) that distracts others
GRADING
All assignments and tests carry equal weight and will be averaged
for a final grade. Reports will be evaluated for contents,
organization, quality of writing, grammatical form, and clarity.
Points will be deducted for inadequate length, lack of organization,
poor writing, spelling and grammatical errors, insufficient sources,
plagiarism, etc. Oral presentations will be evaluated for contents,
organization, clarity, and overall quality of presentation.
Grading Scale
A: 90 and higher B: 80-89 C: 70-79 D: 60-69
CLASS PARTICIPATION
Students are expected to make a positive contribution to this
graduate seminar through participation and discussions. Class
participation will have some impact on the final grade. You are
encouraged to take notes of class lectures and discussions. Class
lectures, discussions, and presentations will cover material in the
text as well as information from additional sources. Therefore,
taking good notes of class proceedings will certainly aid you in
preparing for the exams.
PLAGIARISM
Plagiarism is a serious offense in higher education. It is
presenting an author's ideas and words as if they are your own.
Whether you are paraphrasing (summarizing a passage or rearranging
the order of a sentence and changing some of the words of another
author) or quoting (exact words of another author), you must give
credit for using ideas and words of others. Proper methods of
citing, footnoting and quoting other authors are described in any
standard style manual.
COURSE SCHEDULE
Session 1
Introduction
Discussion of syllabus & assignments
Overview of Mass Communication Theory
Severin Chs. 1-2
Handout for Quiz 1 (news & media criticism)
Session 2
Perception and Communication
Problems and Issues of Encoding
Severin 4, 5
Media Related Documentary
Research Project Time
Quiz # 1 on news & media criticism
Handout for Quiz 2 (psychoanalytic criticism)
Session 3
Types and Quality of Theory
Scientific Method
Models in Mass Communication Research
Severin Chs. 3
Media Related Documentary
Research Project Time
Quiz # 2 on psychoanalytic criticism
Handout for Quiz 3 (critical analysis of propaganda)
Session 4
Propaganda Analysis
Media Related Documentary
Severin 6
Research Project Time
Quiz # 3 on critical analysis of propaganda
Session 5
Exam I
Media Related Documentary
Research Project Time
Handout for Quiz 4 (structural criticism)
Session 6
Cognitive Consistency Theories
Persuasion Theories
Severin 7, 8
Media Related Documentary
Research Project Time
Quiz # 4 on structural criticism
Handout for Quiz 5 (deconstructive criticism)
Session 7
Groups and Communication
Mass Media & Interpersonal Communication
Severin 9, 10
Media Related Documentary
Research Project Time
Quiz # 5 on deconstructive criticism
Session 8
Exam II
Media Related Documentary
Research Project Time
Handout for Quiz 6 (postcolonial criticism)
Session 9
Agenda Setting
Knowledge-Gap
Media Intrusion Theory
Media Dependency Theory
Social Marketing Theory
Severin 11, 12
Media Related Documentary
Research Project Time
Quiz # 6 on postcolonial criticism
Annotated Bibliography Due
Session 10
Effects Theories
Uses & Gratification Theory
Severin 13, 14
Media Related Documentary
Research Project Time
Session 11
Exam III
Media Related Documentary
Research Project Time
Session 12
Mass Media in Modern Society
Media Chains & Conglomerates
Severin 15, 16
Media Related Documentary
Research Project Time
Session 13
heories of Cyber Communication
Severin 17
Media Related Documentary
Research Project Time
Session 14
Exam IV
Media Related Documentary
Research Project Time
Session 15
Final Research Paper Due
Session 16
Final grades posted
Review of grades
