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Course Information:

Meeting Place:   208 Bailey Hall

Meeting Times:  Monday through Friday, 9:55–11:40 am

Instructor Information:

Instructor: Dr. Alan Barton

Office: 37 Ward Hall or 214 Kethley Hall

Telephone: (662) 846-4097

E-mail: abarton@deltastate.edu

Webpage:  http://ntweb.deltastate.edu/vp_academic/abarton/

Office Hours:
 

The instructor holds regular office hours at the following times:

    Monday through Friday, 2:00 – 4:00 pm
 

If you cannot make one of these times, contact the professor to set up an appointment.
 

Course Webpage:

Additional materials and updated course information can be found on the course webpage:

http://ntweb.deltastate.edu/vp_academic/abarton/SOC454SUII07/SOC554Syllabus.htm

Course Overview:

This course examines the mass media as a social institution.  In an era of globalization, it is increasingly crucial to view the mass media through the lens of sociology.  In recent years, sociologists have studied significant changes in public policy that regulates the mass media, concentration of ownership of traditional mass media, and technological innovations that have given rise to new forms of mass media.  The ramifications of these changes are far reaching.  Using books, videos, articles and class projects, we will seek to understand these changes and how they effect various groups in American and global society.

Prerequisites:  SOC 101 or permission of instructor.

Readings:

Required Books, SOC 454 and SOC 554:

Noam Chomsky. 2002. Media Control: The Spectacular Achievements of Propaganda. Second Edition. Open Media Series/Seven Stories Press, New York. ISBN: 1583225366.

David R. Croteau and William Hoynes. 2002. Media/Society: Industries, Images, and Audiences. Third Edition. Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, CA. ISBN: 9780761987734.
 

Jean Kilbourne. 2000. Can't Buy My Love: How Advertising Changes the Way We Think and Feel. Free Press, New York. ISBN: 0684866005

Robert McChesney. 2004. The Problem of the Media: U.S. Communication Politics in the Twenty-First Century. Monthly Review Press, New York. ISBN: 1583671056.

Required Book, SOC 554:
 

Eric Klinenberg. 2007. Fighting for Air: The Battle to Control America's Media. Metropolitan Books, New York. ISBN: 0805078193.

The books are available at the university bookstore and from a variety of on-line booksellers.  You should purchase these books or otherwise arrange to complete the reading assignments from these books.

The Course Outline below lists the reading assignments for each class meeting; you should do the assigned reading BEFORE the class meeting for which it is assigned.
 

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Course Objectives:

Once you successfully complete this course, you will be able to:

(1) Describe the structure of the U.S. and global media, and how the structure affects the content of the media

(2) Identify the basic functions of the media in modern society, and describe the role of the media in democratic societies

(3) Explain how the structure and functions of the media have changed over the years, and how these changes have influenced society

(4) Describe how the media relates to power structures in society, and what interests the media represent in given situations

(5) Critically evaluate the content of a media product, and draw inferences about its manifest and latent meaning

(6) Explain how advertising operates in the media today, and identify positive and negative consequences of advertising on our culture
 

These objectives contribute to overall course goals:

(1)  Developing critical thinking skills.  The class discussions, readings, writing assignments and exams are designed to encourage you to develop and use higher-order thinking skills, including analytical, synthetic and applied thinking.

Click here for more information on thinking critically.

(2)  Understanding the social structures and processes that condition our lives.  A basic goal of all sociology courses is to help you understand the nature and workings of these social structures, and how they open opportunities and impose constraints on individuals operating within these structures.  C. Wright Mills called this using your "sociological imagination;" activities in this course are designed to encourage you to use your sociological imagination.

Click here for more information on the sociological imagination.

Concepts and Questions:

This course examines several concepts in detail.  Sociological concepts addressed include:

This course addresses several important questions, including:

How do new technologies produce social change in the modern world?

Who owns the mass media and how are the mass media organized?  In what ways does the ownership and organization affect media content?  Are there alternative ways to organize the media?

What effect do the media have on the political, economic and social climate in the U.S. and the world?

What role does advertising play in the media?  What are some of the effects of advertising on people and society?

Are there alternative ways to organize the media?

Course Organization and Approach:

This course uses a participatory, learner-centered, adult education approach.  An adult education approach recognizes that you are responsible for your own learning.  The professor can only provide opportunities to learn, but cannot force you to learn.  You are expected to work hard in this course, meaning that for every hour of class time, you should spend two to three hours outside of class preparing by doing readings, assignments, studying for quizzes and exams, and thinking about the course material.

You are expected to take responsibility for the success of the course, that is, you should take an active interest not just in the course material, but in the course itself, making it a success for all participants.  Factors such as interest, motivation, creativity, and initiative are important elements in evaluating your performance and assigning a grade.

Some of the types of activities you will be engaged in during this course include:

       •Class discussion:  About half of the time in the class is spent in discussion on concepts introduced in the readings and by the professor.  Discussion may be in small groups or with the entire class.  You are expected to participate in these discussions regularly.

        •Reading:  There is a substantial amount of reading in this class, which you are expected to do outside of class time.  You must come to class having completed the reading, ready to discuss the material.

        •Research:  You will conduct an original research project in this class, carried out outside of the classroom, under specific guidelines set up at the beginning of the semester.  This is a great opportunity to develop research skills.

        •Writing:  You will write a paper based on your research project, and will submit the paper at the end of the semester.

        •Watching Videos:  We will show videos during the semester, to gain a broader perspective and to hear experts on the mass media speak.  You are expected to pay attention and learn from the videos.
 

Learning Opportunities: 

SOC 554

All students taking the course for graduate credit must complete the following assignments:

(1) Attendance/Participation in Class Discussions (20 points)

• You are expected to do all of the assigned readings and attend all class sessions

• Be sure to sign the attendance sheet at each class session; your attendance will not be registered if you do not sign the sheet

• Any effort to falsify information on the attendance sheet will be treated as a case of academic dishonesty
 

(2) Content Analysis (30 points)

• You will select one form of mass media, and a topic of interest, and conduct a content analysis in which you analyze HOW the media cover the topic

• You will prepare and submit a paper in which you describe the content analysis; the paper should be about 12 pages, and is due on July 27

Additional Information:

• Click here for more information on conducting the Content Analysis

(3) Reading the Media (20 points)

• You will select a newspaper article or audio or video news clip and critically review its content, applying the concepts used in the course

• Select an article from a major newspaper, a video clip from a major broadcaster, or an audio clip from a local radio station; your selection should be from the week in which you present your review; articles should be about 10 paragraphs, and clips should be about 5 minutes

• Your analysis should consider how the topic is covered, taking into account framing, point of view, interests of various parties (author, publisher, editor), ownership of the medium, and ramifications of the coverage; BE CRITICAL!

• Bring the content to class; you will have approximately 15 minutes to present and analyze the material; If you have a newspaper article, bring enough copies for everyone in the class

Additional Information:

• Click here for more information on the Reading the Media assignment

• Click here for a schedule of Reading the Media presentations
 

(4)  Book Review (30 points)

• You will review the book Fighting for Air: The Battle to Control America's Media

• The book is available at the University Bookstore

• Your review should be 3–4 pages, and should highlight the sociological aspects of the book; The review is due on July 25

• During the last week of classes, you will discuss the book on a panel with other graduate students in the course

Additional Information:

• Click here for more information on the book review

• Click here for more information on the book panels

(5) Critical Engagement (±10 points)

• The instructor can add or subtract a total of 10 points from your final grade to reflect the degree of engagement in the course that you exhibit

• Engaged students demonstrate qualities such as motivation, extra effort, interest in the course material, leadership, improvement over the course of the semester, and a professional approach to their studies

• Lack of engagement is manifested by frequent absences, talking with others or dozing off in class, lack of interest in the course material, lack of preparation, and infrequent participation in course activities
 

SOC 454

All students taking the course for undergraduate credit must complete the following assignments:

(1) Attendance/Participation in Class Discussions (20 points)

• You are expected to do all of the assigned readings and attend all class sessions

• Be sure to sign the attendance sheet at each class session; your attendance will not be registered if you do not sign the sheet

• Any effort to falsify information on the attendance sheet will be treated as a case of academic dishonesty
 

(2) Content Analysis (30 points)

• You will select one form of mass media, and a topic of interest, and conduct a content analysis in which you analyze HOW the media cover the topic

• You will prepare and submit a paper in which you describe the content analysis; the paper should be about 12 pages, and is due on July 27

Additional Information:

• Click here for more information on conducting the Content Analysis

(3) Reading the Media (20 points)

• You will select a newspaper article or audio or video news clip and critically review its content, applying the concepts used in the course

• Select an article from a major newspaper, a video clip from a major broadcaster, or an audio clip from a local radio station; your selection should be from the week in which you present your review; articles should be about 10 paragraphs, and clips should be about 5 minutes

• Your analysis should consider how the topic is covered, taking into account framing, point of view, interests of various parties (author, publisher, editor), ownership of the medium, and ramifications of the coverage; BE CRITICAL!

• Bring the content to class; you will have approximately 15 minutes to present and analyze the material; If you have a newspaper article, bring enough copies for everyone in the class

Additional Information:

• Click here for more information on the Reading the Media assignment

• Click here for a schedule of Reading the Media presentations
 

(4)  Final Exam (30 points)

• A final exam will be given on July 31

• The exam will consist of multiple choice, true-false, and matching terms questions

• There will be a total of 30 questions on the exam; each correct response is worth one point

• Bring a Scantron form no. 882-E and a No. 2 pencil to the final exam

• The exam covers all of the material presented during the semester, in readings, lectures, discussions, videos and other course activities

• Click here to view the slides

(5) Critical Engagement (±10 points)

• The instructor can add or subtract a total of 10 points from your final grade to reflect the degree of engagement in the course that you exhibit

• Engaged students demonstrate qualities such as motivation, extra effort, interest in the course material, leadership, improvement over the course of the semester, and a professional approach to their studies

• Lack of engagement is manifested by frequent absences, talking with others or dozing off in class, lack of interest in the course material, lack of preparation, and infrequent participation in course activities
 

Grading:
 

There are a total of 100 points available for the semester.  Your final score is simply the sum of all points earned over the semester. 

SOC 554:  If you accumulate 92 or more points over the course of the semester, you will get an “A” in the course.  If you accumulate 84 to 91 points, you will get a “B,” for 76 to 83 points you will get a “C,” and for 68 to 75 points will get a “D.”  If you get less than 68 points, your final grade will be an “F.”  Note that you start with zero and earn points; you do not start with 100 and lose points.

If you comply with all course requirements and submit all of the assignments satisfactorily and on time, you can expect a “B” in this course.  To receive a higher grade, you must demonstrate a superior grasp of course material and an ability to apply the material in productive ways.  It is also helpful to show an interest in the course material and in learning, and an achievement-based orientation.

SOC 454:  If you accumulate 90 or more points over the course of the semester, you will get an “A” in the course.  If you accumulate 80 to 89 points, you will get a “B,” for 70 to 79 points you will get a “C,” and for 60 to 69 points will get a “D.”  If you get less than 60 points, your final grade will be an “F.”  Note that you start with zero and earn points; you do not start with 100 and lose points.

If you comply with all course requirements and submit all of the assignments satisfactorily and on time, you can expect a “C” in this course.  To receive a higher grade, you must demonstrate a superior grasp of course material and an ability to apply the material in productive ways.  It is also helpful to show an interest in the course material and in learning, and an achievement-based orientation.

Policies and Expectations:

(1) YOU are responsible for learning the course material and for your progress in the course

    • You are expected to attend class regularly.  An attendance sheet will be passed around at every class session.  Make sure you sign the attendance sheet at each class meeting – this will serve as the official record of attendance, and if your name is not on the sheet, you will not receive credit for attending on that date.

    • You are expected to complete all of the assignments and know all material presented during class sessions, whether you attended the class or not.  If you miss a class session, you should check with another student to see what you missed.

    • “I didn’t know” is NEVER a valid excuse.  If you don’t know something, it is your job to find out.

(2) Missed assignments CANNOT be made up

    • It is assumed that if you miss class or an assignment, you are making a choice that prioritizes other activities above the class.  For this reason, none of the assignments or coursework can be made up.

    • Assignments are due at the time specified; no late assignments will be accepted.

    • If you miss an exam or writing assignment, you will receive a grade of zero for that assignment.  You are not required to turn a writing assignment in every week, but cannot make up assignments if you do not turn in the required number by the end of the semester.

    • If you must miss a presentation or other in-class activity, it is up to you to arrange to trade with another student before the event.  Please notify the instructor of such changes.  Points will be deducted from your grade if you simply do not show up for a presentation.

(3) Illnesses and emergencies MUST be documented

    • If you must miss a class due to illness or another personal emergency, notify the instructor BEFORE the missed class period either by e-mail or telephone.

    • If you cannot notify the instructor in advance, bring a note from a doctor or other professional to the next class meeting.

    • Illnesses and emergencies pertain only to the student, not to the student’s family, friends or others.

    • If you must miss class for an official university activity, you should make arrangements with the instructor BEFORE the missed class.  Appropriate documentation is required.

    • Notified absences (i.e. you notify the instructor before the event) count as one-half absence.  Excused absences (i.e. you bring a note from a doctor or other professional) will not count against you for the first two; after that, each excused absence counts as one-half absence.
 • Unexcused absences will be scored on a sliding scale, as shown here.

    • You are responsible for all material presented in the class, even during an excused absence.  You should get class notes from another student for all class sessions you miss.

    • It is in your interest to provide the instructor with written notification (e.g. note or e-mail) or documentation for any missed class.  It is risky to simply tell the instructor and expect him to remember.

(4) Class discussion is an important element in this course

    • The purpose of the discussion is to provide you with an opportunity to practice thinking skills in a safe environment.

    • In discussions, you are encouraged to explore ideas presented in the readings and lectures, to think about and apply concepts, and to develop arguments and evaluate evidence.

    • You must demonstrate appropriate respect the opinions and ideas of other students.  If you repeatedly show disrespect for other students, you will be asked to leave the classroom.

    • Class discussions are NOT a time to chat with other students about topics not related to the course.  Talking privately with other students while the rest of the class is trying to carry on a discussion is disruptive, bothersome, and disrespectful to other students and to the professor.  If you repeatedly talk out of turn, you will be asked to leave the classroom.

    • It is acceptable (and encouraged) to disagree with the perspectives of other students, but you should phrase this to show disagreement with the idea or opinion, not with the person presenting the idea or opinion.

    • Please make sure that all pagers, cell phones, etc. are turned off during class time.  If your phone or pager repeatedly interrupts class, you will be asked to leave the classroom.

    • Any work missed by a student that was asked to leave the classroom cannot be made up under any circumstances.

(5) You are expected to comply with all academic standards and ethics as defined in the DSU Bulletin and Handbook

    • You are expected to do their own work in this course.  Plagiarism and other forms of cheating will NOT be tolerated.

    • Click here if you are unsure what constitutes plagiarism.  The DSU Library's "Plagiarism Prevention: A Guide for Students" is also a good resource.  If it is still unclear, see the instructor.  IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO UNDERSTAND THESE GUIDELINES.  If at some point in the semester you are suspected of committing plagiarism, pleas of “I didn’t know what plagiarism was” will not be accepted.

    • The sanctions for plagiarism are outlined on the web page linked above.  Make sure you are aware of these BEFORE you submit any work in this class.

(6)  DO NOT bring cell phones or other portable communication devices to class during quizzes, exams, or in-class assignments.  If the instructor sees a cell phone or other device during a quiz, exam or in-class assignment, your work will be collected immediately and you will be asked to leave the classroom.

(7) Appropriate accommodations will be made for students with medical problems or diagnosed disabilities.  Have Dr. Richard Houston at the Reily Health Center (846-4690) contact the course instructor to make arrangements.