SPCH 1400 - Mass Media Communication in a Global Culture

Credit Hours: 3.00

Objectives:

1. Explain the role media plays in a global society.
2. Explain media content.
3. Explain how society views the media.
4. Explain the differences between old media and the new media such as the Internet.

Outcome 2:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to document knowledge of media as it relates to the functions of society.

Objectives:

1. Discuss the role of the writer of media.
2. Discuss writing techniques within media.
3. Discuss the creation of media messages in society.
4. Discuss how media affects various cultures.
5. Discuss how cultures affect the media.
6. Discuss the differences between writing styles of the various forms of media content.

Outcome 3:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to produce and perform a variety of media content and analysis.

Objectives:

1. Systematize a schema for a performance/presentation.
2. Systematize a schema for a criticism.

Outcome 4:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to present evidence of analyzing and critiquing media.

Objectives:

1. Demonstrate the ability to analyze the messages the media portrays.
2. Demonstrate the ability to properly present a complete critique of media content.

• Communication: The graduate can communicate effectively for the intended purpose and audience.
• Critical Thinking: The graduate can make informed decisions after analyzing information or evidence related to the issue.
• Global Literacy: The graduate can analyze human behavior or experiences through cultural, social, political, or economic perspectives.
• Information Literacy: The graduate can responsibly use information gathered from a variety of formats in order to complete a task.
• Quantitative Reasoning: The graduate can apply quantitative methods or evidence to solve problems or make judgments.
• Scientific Literacy: The graduate can produce or interpret scientific information presented in a variety of formats.

1. Assessments Theory of Group Work
   1. Forming, Norming, Storming, Performing Model
   2. Formation of Cooperative Learning Groups
2. Unit One - Philosophical Underpinnings
   1. Problem: What is the importance of understanding mass media in the world today?
   2. Theory Base
      1. Culture and diverse audiences: information, dissemination, entertainment, creative expression and the country’s governance
      2. Culture and the evolution of mass media
      3. Audience: Time people spend using mass media each year
      4. Business: U.S. Business Industries Annual Income
      5. Elements of mass media
      6. Understanding the mass medias
      7. Who owns the media
      8. Who controls the messages
      9. Digital delivery
      10. Mass media and the process of communication
      11. How the new communications network functions: two‐way system
   3. Skill Practice Assessment: Search engine review
   4. Performance: Synopsis of sites visited based on critical template; critique a selected television program based on format provided; fill out questionnaires.
3. Unit Two - Internet Mass Media
   1. Problem(s): What is the relevance of the internet? What boundaries exist for free expression? Who controls the internet: range and quality of postings?
   2. Theory Base
      1. Origins of the internet
      2. Evolution of the internet
      3. Birth and Growth of the internet
      4. Access on the internet
      5. Mapping the internet
      6. Service Providers
      7. Browsers
      8. E‐mail and instant messaging services
      9. Ownership issues of the internet
      10. Free expression, security and access
      11. Privacy issues
      12. Spyware and phishing
   3. Skill Practice Assessment: Think‐Pair‐Share Exercises from text
   4. Performance: Students will write papers using the critical process presented to class.
4. Unit Three - Audio/Video Mass Media
   1. Problem(s): What are the origins, strengths and weaknesses, advantages and disadvantages of the various industries?
   2. Theory Base
      1. Preservation of the original performance
      2. Sound recording and popular music
      3. Popular radio and origins of broadcasting
      4. Television and the power of visual culture
      5. Cable and the specialization of television
      6. Movies and the impact of images: genres
   3. Skill Practice Assessment: In‐depth exposure to the various media by observing selected segments, bites, and scenes. Selecting, gathering personal preference genre for presentation
   4. Performance: Review of Detroit terrestrial and non‐terrestrial markets for radio, television, and cable in the Detroit market; Students will prepare assignments designed for their media specialty: sound tracks, commercials, movie trailers, field trip to the Fox Theater, etc.
5. Unit Four - Words and Pictures
   1. Problem: What are the origins, strengths and weaknesses, advantages and disadvantages of the various word and picture industries?
   2. Theory Base
      1. Journalism and newspapers
      2. Models of modern print journalism
      3. Categorizing news and U.S. newspapers
      4. Specialty, trade, business, etc.
      5. Magazines
      6. Domination of specialization of magazines
      7. Books and the power of print
      8. Modern publishing and the book industry
      9. The organization and ownership of the book industry
      10. Trends in book publishing
   3. Skill Practice Assessment: In‐depth overview of newsstands and Super Borders
   4. Performance: Comparison/Contrast assignments pertaining to students’ preferred interest area
6. Unit Five - International Mass Media
   1. Problem: How does International media compare with American media: availability, variety, accessibility, cost, etc.?
   2. Theory Base
      1. Political theories and the media
      2. Differing standards of practices
      3. World media systems
      4. Culture
      5. Business
      6. West Europe and Canada
      7. Eastern Europe
      8. Middle East and North Africa
      9. Africa
      10. Asia and the Pacific
      11. Latin America and the Caribbean
      12. News and information flow
      13. Global media Markets
      14. Global access to the internet
   3. Skill Practice Assessment: View videos and mass media from China and other cultural specific areas
   4. Performance: Compare and contrast foreign newspapers, magazines, movies and television programs, i.e. satellite, in paper or presentations
7. Unit Six - Mass Media Business
   1. Problem: What are the components and issues in mass media business?
   2. Theory Base
      1. Advertising and commercial culture
      2. Advertising campaigns
      3. Public relations and framing the message
      4. Tensions between public relations and the press
      5. Public relations: social responsibility and the democracy
      6. Media economics and the global marketplace
      7. The culture of journalism: values, ethics, and democracy
      8. Media effects and cultural approaches to research
      9. Legal controls and the freedom to expression
   3. Skill Practice Assessment: Search out examples of the above
   4. Performance: Write various forms of media. Critique selected media clips, bytes, selections, etc. by the instructor