COM 226--Mass Media &
Society
Instructor:
Prof. Kim Neuendorf (k.neuendorf@comcast.net or
neuendorfka@gmail.com)
Term: Summer
2011
Date: 8/7/11
Larry Gross and Noam Chomsky at the 2011 International Communication Association Conference, Boston, MA
Course Materials:
I. Syllabus and class assignments:
List of Videos of Interest re Mass Media Processes and Effects
Research Proposal Assignment (30 pts., 15% of course grade, Due Aug. 10)
Questions from DeFleur Textbook for Midterm Exam
Questions from DeFleur Textbook for Final Exam
Research Participation (30 pts., 15% of course grade)--Must complete one hard copy survey and one online survey (below) and complete a 1-page writeup comparing the two types of administration (due Aug. 10)
#1: Experiences and Film Preferences (hard copy; will also be distributed to class on Aug. 1)
#2: Media, Opinions, and Sense of Humor (online via Survey Monkey)
Extra Credit (10 pts., 5% of course grade)--Read research paper (below) that was derived from the data for the Media, Opinions, and Sense of Humor Survey, and complete a 2-page writeup observing how the survey questionnaire provides the information for the analyses reported in the paper.
Neuendorf, K. A., Skalski, P. D., Atkin, D., & Jeffres, L. W. (2011, May). Public opinion, media use, and the senses of humor. Paper presented to the Mass Communication Division of the International Communication Association, Boston, MA.
Class Activities--Must contribute two news, current events, or other "popular media" examples to the class
II. Notes and Handouts
Class PowerPoints:
Before Midterm:
PPT #1: Mass Media Effects: The Scientific Approach (inc. chapters 2-3 of DeFleur textbook)
PPT #2: Mass Media Effects: Basic Notions (inc. chapters 1, 9-10 of DeFleur textbook)
PPT #3: The Contributions of Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology to Mass Communication Theory (inc. chapters 4-7 of DeFleur textbook)
PPT #4: News Effects I: Framing, Unintentional News Distortion, and Public Opinion (inc. chapter 8 and part of chapter 24 of DeFleur textbook)
PPT #5: News Effects II: Gatekeeping, Spiral of Silence, Agenda-Setting (inc. chapters 11-12 of DeFleur textbook)
PPT #6: Diffusion of Innovations (inc. chapters 13 and 18 of DeFleur textbook)
After Midterm:
PPT #7: Violence/Anti-Social Effects: Social Cognitive Theory (Social Learning Theory), Copycat Effect, Desensitization, Priming, and even Catharsis (inc. chapters 16 and 20 of DeFleur textbook)
PPT #8: Focus on Pornography & Other Sexual Media Content (inc. Social Comparison Theory)
PPT #10: Stereotyping and Media (inc. chapter 17 of DeFleur textbook)
PPT #12: Video Games: An Introduction (guest lecture by Dr. Paul Skalski)
PPT #13: Uses and Gratifications. . . and Mood Management (inc. chapters 14 and 15 of DeFleur textbook)
PPT #14: Media Dependency and Popular Culture (inc. chapters 19 and 21 of DeFleur textbook)
PPT #15: Cultural (and Media) Imperialism (inc. chapters 22 and 23 of DeFleur textbook)
Concepts from Videos:
Before Midterm:
The Crisis of the Cultural Environment
After Midterm:
Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory: An Introduction
Investigative Reports: Primetime Violence
The Price of Pleasure: Pornography, Sexuality and Relationships
Dreamworlds 3: Desire, Sex and Power in Music Video
Killing Us Softly 4: Advertising's Image of Women
Mickey Mouse Monopoly: Disney, Childhood, and Corporate Power
III. Additional Readings--Optional; Potential core articles for Research Proposal assignment
Baruh, L. (2009). Publicized intimacies on reality television: An analysis of voyeuristic content and its contribution to the appeal of reality programming. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 53, 190-210.
Holbert, R. L., Lambe, J. L., Dudo, A. D., & Carlton, K. A. (2007). Primacy effects of The Daily Show and national TV news viewing: Young viewers, political gratifications, and internal political self-efficacy. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 51, 20-38.
American Journal of Media Psychology, entire Volume 3 (2010)
American Journal of Media Psychology, entire Volum 4 (2011)