S Y L L A B U S
THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF ROME

Department of Communication and English

 

The learning goals for students pursuing a degree in Communication are meant to develop and enhance their writing skills, whether expository, reflective or analytical; or journalistic; or creative. The program also aims to develop students’ conceptual analysis skills and critical thinking; and train them in the use of the appropriate/required tools and technology related to the field of Communication, in selected courses. The Communication degree program also offers students the opportunity to benefit from the Rome location, and prepares them to work and operate successfully in a global environment characterized by diversity and intercultural understanding and respect.

 


Course Title:           Introduction to Mass Media

 

Course Number:     COM100

 

Period:                   Fall 2008

 

Credits:                Three hours.

 

Professor:              Kristen Palana

                              e-mail: k.palana@aur.edu

                              office phone. 06/58330919 ext. 702
                             URL: http://www.kpalana.com

 

Time:                     Fridays 9AM-12PM

 

Office hours:          By appointment. My office is located on the first floor of the Carini Building near the Multimedia Lab.

 

Class Website:         http://www.kristenpalana.com/massmediaweb



Course Description:

This course provides an introduction to the history and functioning of the mass media based on lectures, reading, and analysis of various media products. Students will gain an understanding of the forces, origins, and principles that shaped mass media, explore some ethical and legal issues that media users and practitioners may face, and learn how the mass media are changing in the 21st century.

                               

 

Course Learning Objectives:      

In this course students will:

1. Learn how to distinguish mass media from other types of media and gain a better understanding of various forms of communication developed by humans over time.

2. Develop an understanding of the origins, forces, and principles that helped shape the mass media.

3. Examine their own relationship to mass media and record their daily usage of mass media for analysis and discussion.
4. Develop an awareness of legal and ethical issues that media users and practitioners may face.

5. Examine current and future trends in mass media and how the mass media are changing in the 21st century.

6. Gain a better understanding of mass media’s effects on themselves, society, culture, religion, politics, and populations.

 


Course Learning Activities:
Class lectures, class discussions, multimedia presentations, video documentaries, guest lectures, reading and analysis of media products: These learning activities will monitor the student’s progress toward achieving course learning objectives 1-6.

                            

Writing Assignments and the Keeping of a Media Journal: These learning activities will monitor the student’s progress toward achieving course learning objectives 3, 5, & 6.


Term Project: An 8 to 10 page research paper on a topic related to material covered in the course. This learning activity will monitor the student’s progress toward achieving course learning objectives 1-6.

 

 

Assessment Tools
Students will be assessed by the following:

 

Periodic quizzes on course material, writing assignments, the media journal,

class participation in discussions, the midterm and final exam, and the term project.

 

Grade Tabulation:  
The term project will be rubric graded.

                             Midterm Exam                                       20%

                             Final Exam                                            25%

                             Term Project                                         25%

                             Writing Assignments/Media Journal            20%

                             Participation                                         10%

          

 

AUR grade values

          94 – 100 points        =        A        “Excellent”

          90 – 93.99 pts         =        A-

          87 – 89.99               =        B+

          83 – 86.99               =        B        “Good”

          80 – 82.99               =        B-

          77 – 79.99               =        C+

          70 – 76.99               =        C        “Satisfactory”

          60 – 69.99               =        D        “Poor”

          59.99 – 0                =        F        “Failing”

 



 

Course Textbook:

Understanding Mass Communication (7th edition.) by M. DeFleur & E.Dennis.

Houghton Mifflin, Boston 2002.
                            
Additional readings from handouts and online sources.

 

 

Courtesy Policy:
Make sure your cell phone is turned off. If you have an emergency situation that requires your phone to be on, please speak with me first. Ringing cell phones, late arrival, leaving early, and walking in and out of class while class is in session is disrespectful to your Professor and to your fellow classmates and will result in the lowering of your Class Participation Grade and Overall Grade.

 


AUR Attendance Policy

“Attendance is required in all classes at The American University of Rome and attendance records are maintained.  More than two unexcused absences from any class may have a negative effect on student grades.  Absences documented by a medical certificate or an obvious case of emergency may be excused by the Office of the Provost.  If the Registrar determines that the student’s attendance record is unacceptable, the student will be required to withdraw from the class with a grade of WD.  The criteria upon which grades are determined, including the attendance policy, are outlined in each course syllabus.”  -- AUR Student Handbook, 2006/2007, p. 17.

 

Kristen Palana’s Specific Attendance Policy:

Any student with more than two unexcused absences will get a half letter grade off their final grade for every unexcused absence beyond two. Please note that each two lates count as one absence.

 

An unexcused absence is one without a valid medical justification, or a written note from the Provost. No make-up exams or quizzes will be given without a documented medical excuse. Incomplete grades are not given.

 

 

If You Miss Class:

Please use the class contact sheet (given out after the add/drop period) to email or phone a classmate who can lend you their notes and help you get back on track. In this course it is important to stay on top of material since so much is covered. *Please do not email your professor for a briefing on what you missed, as it’s not possible to sum up an entire class in a short email. After you have made an effort to contact a classmate and catch up, your professor will be happy to give you individual help by appointment.

 

 

AUR Academic Integrity Code & Policy against Plagiarism

 

“Integrity is fundamental to the academic enterprise.  It is violated by such acts as borrowing or purchasing assignments, including but not limited to term papers, essays, and reports; lending to or producing assignments for others (either for or without payment); using concealed notes or crib sheets during examinations, copying the work of others and submitting it as one’s own; and otherwise misappropriating the knowledge of others.  Such acts are both dishonest and deceptive: the work submitted to instructors is not the work of the person whose name it bears.  In consequence, the sources from which one derives one’s ideas, statements, terms, and facts, including internet sources, must be fully and specifically acknowledged in the appropriate form.  Failure to do so, intentionally or unintentionally, constitutes plagiarism.”  -- AUR Student Handbook, 2006/2007, p. 15.

 

 

 

 

 

COURSE   OUTLINE

*This outline is subject to change.

 

Week 1

Introduction to mass comm. and mass media. The functions of the media.The Nature of Mass Communication.

*Read Ch.1 and 2 for next class.

 

Week 2

Books. The development of communication, language, and writing.

*Read Ch. 3 for next class.

 

Week 3

Newspapers. Examination of different types of newspapers. Journalistic styles. Watchdogs of the public interest vs. Entertainment.
*Read Ch. 4 for next class and view web link for Magazines.

 

Week 4

Magazines. Examination of various magazines.
*Read Ch. 5 for next class.

 

Week 5

Film. Examination of early films. Film as Persuasion.
*Read Ch. 6 for next class.

 

Week 6

Radio. Listening to Golden Age Programming vs. Programming from 2008.
*Read Ch. 7 for next class.

 

Week 7

Television. Midterm Review.

 

Week 8

Midterm Exam. *Read Ch. 8 for next class.
.

Week 9

The New Media. Changes in Mass Media today and in the future. Careers in Media Professions. *Read Ch. 13 for next class.

Week 10

Audience Studies. Marketing to Audiences. Marketing and Politics.

*Read Ch. 10 for next class.

Week 11

Pop Culture. Media Literacy. The effects of mass media on society. Advertising.
*Read Ch. 16 for next class.

 

Week 12

Media Ethics. Case studies. Review for Final Exam. Individual term paper help available by appointment.

 

Week 13

No Class. Term Papers due. Individual help available by appointment during Week 12.


Week 14

Final Exam
Weds. December 17, 2008. Room B104. 6:30-8:30PM