COURSE DESCRIPTION

Prerequisite: none.

Survey of the mass communication process and mass media, including print media, radio/recording, television, Internet, and emerging media. Students will learn about media issues, societal effects and trends. 

Core Code: 090A - Cultural & Global Understanding

Why be excited about this course

Author George Orwell said, “The people will believe what the media tells them they believe.” Certainly, to some extent, that’s true. So much is happening every day that we rely on newspapers, television, magazines, websites and social media to sift through it, to pick out what’s important and then to talk about that. Objectively? Well, that’s a topic worthy of discussion. Do they get it right? More discussion. What happens when they get it wrong? Ah, so many things to discuss, so little time. 

You live in a world where, in the palm of your hand, you have access to more information than your parents when they were little had in all their books and libraries combined. But how do you choose what media to consume? How do you find the truth? “Whoever controls the media, the images, controls the culture,” Allen Ginsberg, a poet, said. And with great power comes great responsibility. You have the power of the press in your hands with social media and the ability to create a website that can reach billions of people in an instant. How will you use that power or hold those with that power accountable?

Course Objectives

As a result of this course, you will be able to:

• Understand and define mass communication.
• Understand and explain the function of the mass media.
• Analyze critically mass media and mass media messages.
• Demonstrate an understanding of media literacy and consumption of mass media.
• Understand the economic and social imperatives affecting message content, delivery and effects.
• Understand the influences of media content on cultural perceptions.
• Understand the characteristics of contemporary mass media, including the influence and roles of media history, media law and ethics, governmental regulation, and evolving technology.
• Analyze and discuss media message content using critical thinking skills.
• Understand media history and technology and their effects on contemporary messages.
• Develop an increased understanding and awareness of media influences on perceptions of multiculturalism and diversity.
• Understand the evolving roles of social media messages on politics, behavior, and culture.
• Understand the effects of globalization and consolidation on the media.

Students are expected to be in class each and every time the class meets. Students will not be able to make up unannounced quizzes given in classes they miss. E-mail Dr. Wilson prior to the absence as a courtesy. Students are responsible for making up any work missed on their own time, working with classmates.

Students who miss class due to University-sponsored events such as field trips or athletics, should visit with the course instructor in advance and will be required to complete the assigned work on or before the due date. Students should submit an official notification form before the absence.

Please do not come to class if you are exhibiting signs of COVID-19 or the seasonal flu, particularly an actual fever. Work with your healthcare provider and the course instructor to determine the best course of action.

Exams (all of which will be available in D2L/Brightspace for an extended period of time), projects and stories with advance deadlines will not be accepted late. Plan ahead.

After a warning, a student with more than four absences may be dropped from a course by the instructor or summarily given a failing grade.

Late work receives a grade of zero.

Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception.

Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters.

We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student.

We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed.

Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, (940) 397-4140.

The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MSUTexas e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed the 6 hours of Communication Core and 2) earned 60 hours. Students may meet this requirement in one of three ways: by passing the Writing Proficiency Exam, passing two Writing Intensive Courses (only one can be in the core), or passing English 2113. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at https://msutexas.edu/academics/wpr, or call 397-4131.

Senate Bill 11 passed by the 84th Texas Legislature allows licensed handgun holders to carry concealed handguns on campus, effective August 1, 2016. Areas excluded from concealed carry are appropriately marked, in accordance with state law. For more information regarding campus carry, please refer to the University’s webpage at https://msutexas.edu/campus-carry/rules-policies.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact MSU Chief of Police at police@msutexas.edu.