Utah Valley University Dr. Matthew J. Kushin http://profkushin.wordpress.

com/

Course Syllabus .:. 1

COMM 3050: Theories of Communication & Culture Media Communication

Spring 2012 Time: 1:00 2:15pm MW Location: WB 106
Professor: Matthew J. Kushin, PhD email: mkushin@uvu.edu Phone: 801-863-8745 Office hours: LC 237 (or virtually) M:10:30-12:30/R:2:15-4:15, or anytime door is open / available on

1:

Text: Mass Communication Theory: Foundations, Ferment, and Future (6th Edition) by Baran & Davis Additional required readings available on course website PDF file password: ______________________________

Course Canvas site: http://learn-uvu.uen.org Students are responsible for keeping up with material posted to the course websites. Failure to do so does not excuse incomplete work. Major Written Assignments Submitted Online: turn in via Canvas. Professors website: http://profkushin.wordpress.com/
I am dedicated to being accessible to my students & use new media as 1 way to do so. That media is available on my website. Consider these various media as free supplemental services that you have the option of using. They include:

Twitter: A stream of updates and reminders. Topics relate from my whereabouts (to help you hunt me down on campus), to reminders for classes, to things going on in and around UVU, to news and bits related to mass comm and new media. (www.twitter.com/profkushin). Note: for class-related questions dont use Twitter use email or phone. Virtual Office Hours: Video or text chat with me during online office hours.

Course Emphasis: Mass / Mediated Communication Course Objectives: You will complete this class able to: Discuss key challenges facing mass communication theories; Interpret mass communication theories within social, cultural and historical contexts; Analyze changes in conceptualizations of the role of media in society over the years and assess the advantages and limitations of these ideas. Examine various underlying philosophical assumptions central to perspectives of the role of the media; Compare an array of specific mass communication theories, their assumptions, approaches, limitations, and findings; Compare active audience and media effects paradigms and synthesize competing and complementary perspectives into a coherent argument regarding the role of media communication in society. Debate the import of these theories to contemporary American culture. Final Grades: Final grades will be determined with the following scale. There is no rounding:
A= 94-100% =0-59.9% A- = 90-93.9% B+ = 86-89.9% B = 83-85.9% C = B- = 80-82.9% C+ = 76-79.9% D+ = 66-69.9% 60-62.9% F

73-75.9% D = 63-65.9% C- = 70-72.9% D- =

Exams (3)

22% each

Utah Valley University Dr. Matthew J. Kushin http://profkushin.wordpress.com/

Course Syllabus .:. 2

Normative Theories Paper Argument Paper: Media or Audience 12% The Great Debate! Presentation: Audience or Media? 2% Pop quizzes (based on assigned readings: textbook & otherwise) Attendance & Participation 5% ** Exams will cover lectures and assigned readings.

11% 4%

For a description of what contributes to this grade see Participation Grade and Attendance (under Course Policies below)

Utah Valley University Dr. Matthew J. Kushin http://profkushin.wordpress.com/

Course Syllabus .:. 3

Tentative Schedule

[Week Day Topics (separated by semicolon) New assignments to be assigned in italics #] Due assignments in bold Week Utah Valley University Dr. Matthew J. Kushin of

Reading Due
*note pages based on version 5. Version 6 is very slightly different. Course Syllabus .:. 4

http://profkushin.wordpress.com/ [1] M Intro to Class 1/9 W Defining mass communication, social science & the scientific method [2] 1/16 M MLK Day - No Class for Monday Students

Chapter 1 (pp. 1-8)

W [3] 1/23 M

The 4 Theoretical Categories

Participation Challenge #1: Whats your theoretical approach?

Chapter 1 finish

Introducing the Era of Mass Society & Limited Effects

Participation Challenge #1: Whats your theoretical approach?

Chapter 2 (pp. 25-33)

W [4] 1/30 M W [5] 2/6 M

Introducing the Cultural and Meaning-Making Perspectives Mass Society: In Depth Propaganda!
Participation Challenge #2: Propaganda Among Us?

Chapter 2 finish Chapter 3 - finish

Conceptualizing Mass Society.pdf Chapter 4 S&T Chapter 6.pdf Chapter 4 finish

Participation Challenge Presentations; Exam Review

Participation Challenge #2: Propaganda Among Us?

[6] 2/13

W M W

Exam 1 Major Normative Theories Criticisms: Alternative Theories

In-class: Participation Challenge #3: What kind of news? Normative Theories Paper

Chapter 5 (pp. 95-115)

Chapter 5 - finish

Guard Dog Perspective.pdf Chapter 6 (pp. 128 - 140). Opinion Leaders.pdf Chapter 6 - finish Chapter 7 (pp. 179 finish chapter) Chapter 8 (pp. 198 207) Chapter 8 Chapter 8 - finish

[7] 2/20

[8] 2/27

W M W

Monday Class Held on Tuesday in our normal room, at our normal time The Peoples Choice leads to the Two-Step Flow of Communication Attitude Change Theory; Selective Exposure Theories of Media Violence
Participation Challenge #4:Violence-o-meter

Emergence of Critical-Cultural Perspectives

Participation Challenge #4:Violence-o-meter Normative Theories Paper

[9] 3/5

M W M W

Critical Theories
In-class: Participation #5: Theoretical Role Playing

[10] 3/12

Political Economy; McLuhan; Exam Review No Class Spring Break No Class Spring Break Exam 2 Uses & Grats; Reception Studies
Participation Challenge #6: Uses & Grats

[11] 3/19

M W

[12] 3/26

Moderate Effects Theories: Info-processing theories

Participation Challenge #6: Uses & Grats Argument Paper: Media or Audience

Chapter 9 (pp. 228 248) Uses and grats of facebook.pdf Chapter 9 (pp. 248-259)

Class Canceled Dr. Kushin to CSCA Moderate Effects Theories: Social Marketing Theory; Diffusion; Knowledge Gap
In-class: Participation #7: Youre the expert presentations!

Chapter 9 finish Chapter 10 (pp. 268-278) Bring your textbook to class Chapter 10 finish Agenda setting.pdf Chapter 11 (pp. 298-308) Bring laptop or print a copy of your Facebook or other online profile & bring to class. Chapter 11 (pp. 308-314)

[13] 4/2

M W

Theories of Public Opinion: Agenda Setting & Spiral of Silence Symbolic Interactionism; Group meeting time
Argument Paper: Media or Audience The Great Debate! Presentations: Audience or Media?

[14] 4/9

Social Construction; Start: Framing; Group

Utah Valley University Dr. Matthew J. Kushin http://profkushin.wordpress.com/

Course Syllabus .:. 5

Note: Readings are to be completed by the date listed on syllabus. Schedule is subject to change.

Final Exam: Time Section 1 1-2:50pm W 4/25

Location: Normal Classroom

Course Policies Participation Grade: A portion of your grade comes from participation. These are not free points distributed to students just for showing up. They must be earned. This grade is calculated based on various participation challenge assignments I will assign throughout the semester, general participation in classroom discussion and evidence of preparation (e.g., attending class having completed the readings), and the students contribution to a productive, inclusive and respectful educational environment for the professor and fellow students. Attendance, Being On Time, & Leaving Early: Attendance will be taken every class. While there is not a required % of classes you must attend, it is an indicator when considerations of the students effort are needed, and 1 factor used in determining the preparation element of participation grades. High-fives will be given to students who miss no more than 2 classes at the end of the semester; two-handed high fives for students who miss no classes. Class participation is important for the success of the class and to your success. You are expected to attend class regularly and on time and to stay for the duration of class. Students who arrive more than 5 minutes late or leave lecture before it is complete without notifying the instructor prior to the start of class will receive a reduction in their overall attendance & participation grade. Do not expect a warning or notification of grade reduction. Classroom Environment: Play (mp3 players, games on handheld devices, etc), reading non-course related materials, or working on assignments for other classes is distracting. Were all here to learn and people pay a lot of money for their education. Use of Internet devices to take notes & gather information to inform classroom discussion is strongly encouraged. But browsing & social interaction are not. So please minimize use during class. If your use of any device becomes disruptive, it will negatively impact your participation grade. Although I may speak with you about this, do not expect a warning prior to reduction nor for the instructor to inform you that your grade has been reduced. If your ringer goes off during class, please turn it off. If you feel the call may be an emergency, please step out of class. Make-up Exams: Make up exams will be offered only once per student with proper documentation (e.g., doctors note) of absence and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Make-up exams will be offered during office hours and must be complete by the end of the same working day the student returns to class. Online Assignments (Canvas): Semester papers (not participation assignments) are turned in on Canvas. Theyre graded using Turnitin on Canvas. Turnitin can only read PDF or MS Office formats (e.g., .doc or .docx). Failure to upload in these formats will result in a 4% reduction on your grade for the assignment. Late assignments: Late means turned in ANYTIME AFTER the end of scheduled class time on the due date. 2 minutes late and 2 hours late are treated equally. Late assignments will be accepted for a 20% reduction in grade for every class period the assignment is late (except participation challenges which can only receive 50% credit if the student is not present when due; and presentation assignments which cannot be made up). Late

Utah Valley University Dr. Matthew J. Kushin http://profkushin.wordpress.com/

Course Syllabus .:. 6

assignments will not be accepted beyond 1 class period late. Students are responsible for remembering to turn in assignments (online for major papers) or in person prior to end of class on the due date. In the rare case that a student is not able to attend class on the date an assignment is due, the student may submit the assignment electronically BEFORE the end of class on the assigned day for full credit. . If you are having email/internet issues, you can fax it to the communication department or slide it under Dr. Ks office door. There will be no exceptions to the late assignment policy. Email & Electronic Communication Policy: I will prioritize & make every effort to respond to communications sent during virtual office hours ASAP. However, for electronic communication occurring outside of established Office Hours: Students can expect to get a response to an email from me within 48 hours of sending it, often much sooner. If you dont hear from me within 48 hours, send a polite reminder. If you send me an email or any other electronic communication and I do not respond to it, then I did not receive it. You will always get a response from me if I received something. Students should not expect responses on weekends or after 6pm. To help make sure I get your email, please make the subject line: Class Title & Your name. e.g., Comm 2000 Jane Doe In case of real emergency needing response ASAP, add [emergency] to subject line. Dont abuse this! Please identify yourself, the class you take from me & the time of the class. Academic Dishonesty. The Statement from the UVU Students Rights and Responsibilities Code reads: Each student is expected to maintain academic ethics and avoid dishonesty in all its forms, including but not limited to, cheating and plagiarism, and fabrication as defined hereafter. Please read the complete "Student Rights and Responsibilities" section in the UVU catalog so you are aware of your academic responsibilities. Students who plagiarize or cheat on an exam will fail the entire course and be placed on notice with the Communications Department Chair. Should the student be found guilty of another infraction in this or any other class, and it is reported to the Chair, this student will be expelled or suspended from the communications department (depending on the severity of the infraction) at the discretion of the department chair. Accommodations: Students who need accommodations because of a disability should contact the UVU Accessibility Services Department (ASD), located on the Orem campus, in LC 312. To schedule an appointment, or speak with a counselor, call the ASD office at 801863-8747, or for Deaf/Hard of Hearing individuals, use the video phone number, 886-7601819.