Com 448 Media Criticism Winter 2007

Dr. Jane Ballinger

Office:	Building 1, Room 324
Mailbox:	Building 1, Room 310 (Communication Dept. Office)
Phone:	(909) 869 - 3538
E-Mail:	jrballinger@csupomona.edu
Web:	www.cupomona.edu/~jrballinger/448
Office Hours:	MW 1–2, T 11:30–2:30

Course Description:
This course is designed to help you develop a critical awareness of mass media through extensive reading, viewing and discussion. Although the primary emphasis of the course is on the news media, we will also examine other forms of mass media that contribute to our popular and political culture.

Course Goals and Objectives:
To become media literate by learning to critically evaluate media content.
To build understanding of the key theories of influence on media content.
To develop your own analyses of the role of mass media in society.
To connect theoretical concepts learned in this course to “real world” situations by either writing a case study term paper or making a service learning presentation to a community group or organization.

Required texts:
Alexander and Hanson, Taking Sides: Clashing Views in Mass Media and Society, Ninth Edition
Readings provided online or by handout
Los Angeles Times (or another daily newspaper)
Television/radio news programs (local and national)

Quizzes:
I reserve the right to administer short pop quizzes at the beginning of the class period on each day for which readings are assigned.

Final Project
You will have a choice of either writing a term paper or completing a service learning project.

Research Paper
This option requires you to write a 12–15 page term paper that analyzes media coverage of a current or historical event. Your paper will include a review of the literature in addition to the results of your analysis of media coverage. The paper will allow you to demonstrate your understanding of the theoretical concepts covered in class by applying them to a real-world event.

Service Learning Project
This option offers you the opportunity to “learn by doing,” in the best Cal Poly tradition. Service learning allows students to bridge the gap between theory and practice—as well as to accomplish something socially useful while completing the requirements of a course. This project requires you to create a presentation related to media criticism/literacy that you will present to an audience or your own choice (with my approval). You must turn in a videotape of your presentation as well as a short written evaluation of your experience.

Grades:
Your course grade will be based on the following:

Midterm	35%
Final Paper or project	40%
Homework, Quizzes & Class participation	25%

Tardiness:
Arriving late to class is disrespectful and disruptive. Students are expected to arrive on time. Unannounced quizzes or assignments may be administered at the beginning of the class period to reward those who arrive on time.