Journalism 12: Mass Media and Society - Section: 6841

Class blog: http://EccMassMedia2.wordpress.com

Instructor: Kate McLaughlin

Office: H-113A

Contact: kmclaughlin@elcamino.edu or (310) 532-3670 ext. 6090

(Sending an e-mail or commenting on the class blog are the best ways to reach me.)

Office Hours: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. M/W

3:30 to 4:30 p.m. T
8:15 to 9:15 a.m. F

Class meeting Time: 6 to 9:10 p.m T

Class Meeting Room: H-111

Text: The Media of Mass Communication, 9th ed. by John Vivian

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course examines the past and current influences that books, newspapers,
magazines, movies, radio, television, recordings, and the Internet have on society. We will examine the history,
economics, controversies and new technologies surrounding the mass media, as well as the functions, practices,
responsibilities, regulations, and ethics involved in the industry. We may or may not cover all of the material listed
on the syllabus, and we may or may not cover it in the order listed.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: At the end of the semester, you should be able to:
Identify, and summarize the history of, the eight major mass media in American society.
Analyze and evaluate the major theories on how the mass media influence society.
Examine and assess the role advertising plays in the mass media.
Appraise and measure ethics and laws governing mass media in American society.
Distinguish the differences among, and the benefits of, the mass media.
Analyze and evaluate the role of the government in American mass media.
Understand the role of PR, advocacy groups, talk radio hosts, the nightly news, and the World Wide Web.
Analyze and evaluate how the mass media have changed American society over the years and the role they
play in defining and shaping our culture, politics, laws, morals, and government.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLOs): To make sure that students are learning basic concepts, the
college has asked instructors to develop a series of student learning outcomes for each course. Therefore, in the
second and eighth weeks of class, you’ll be asked to identify the eight major mass media serving the U.S. This is to
see if you’ve learned the material that is vital to your success in this class. The SLO assessment is done
anonymously and will not be graded.

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GRADING: Your final grade will be based on how many points you earn out of a possible total of 450. Here’s the
breakdown:

A = 450 to 405 C = 360 to 315 F = 269 or fewer

B = 404 to 360 D = 316 to 270

1. Tests: (200 total points) You’ll take two tests this semester. Each is worth up to 100 points and contains a mix
of true/false, multiple choice and essay questions. Tests are administered over two class periods. If you come late
to the test and are unable to finish, you’ll have to take the points loss. Make-up exams will not be offered for any
reason.

2. Homework: (100 total points) Five homework projects, each one worth up to 20 points, will be assigned during
the semester. Late work is not accepted for any reason. Homework assignments must be turned in during class
time on the due date; Homework not delivered in class on time will not be accepted (unless you’ve made a prior
arrangement). All homework must be formatted correctly. See formatting guidelines below.

3. Research Paper: (100 points) A big part of this class is the research paper; it makes up a significant part of
your grade. Be sure and budget the time you’ll need to do it well. This paper will be on one of the topics you can
choose from a list I will hand out. All rules on delivery, deadline, formatting and plagiarism apply. If you’ve never
written a research paper before, it’s up to you to stay on track. Don’t try to wing it! There is a specific structure,
method and style that governs research paper writing. If you’re not sure or have never written a research paper
before, come see me during office hours so I can help get you on the right path.

4. Class Participation: (50 points) Class participation is worth up to 50 points. You earn these points by doing
what any committed student does, such as showing up on time, completing assignments, asking questions, taking
notes, following along, participating in discussion, being respectful of others, not using media in class, adhering to
class policies, etc. Also, I may give short reading quizzes, which will be used to determine in part your class
participation grade. Note: If you go over the absence limit after the final drop date (see attendance policy below)
you will forfeit ALL of your class participation points.

5. Extra Credit: A limited number of extra credit assignments may be offered throughout the semester as/should
opportunities arise. The purpose of the extra credit is to enrich your class experience and understand of mass
media; it is not intended solely as busywork for you to acquire points.

ATTENDANCE: Regular attendance is expected of every student. El Camino policy says, “Students whose
absences from a class exceed 10% of the scheduled class meeting time may be dropped by the instructor” (Catalog
11). By that policy, I can drop you after you miss 1.6 classes (16 scheduled meetings). But in this class you’ll be
able to miss two classes during the semester. However, if you miss any more than two, I will drop you from the
class. PLEASE DON’T ASK FOR EXCEPTIONS. If I make an exception for one, I must make exceptions for
all, which doesn’t work. I am firm, fair and consistent on the guidelines, so please do not ask me to change the
policy. Note: If you go over the absence limit after the final drop date, you will forfeit all of your class
participation points and any extra credit points you may have earned or will earn.

TARDINESS: You must arrive to class on time. If you are tardy twice, it will equal one absence. If you leave
early (early departure) twice, it will equal one absence. If you arrive late to class, you must make sure that you
put your name on the late list. If you do not, you’ll have been marked absent and that absence stays on the
books. If you are late, it’s your responsibility to make sure the records are corrected. You fulfill that responsibility
by putting your name on the late list when you are late. If you fail to do so, the absence stays on the books.

MAKE-UPS: Make-ups are a logistical impossibility, so I do not offer them. If you miss a test or homework or
something else, do extra credit to make up the points loss. Please do not ask me to make exceptions.

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CHEATING/PLAGIARISM: If you are caught cheating you’ll receive a zero on that assignment/test, and I will
complete an Academic Dishonesty Report Form and submit it to the Humanities Division Office with my strong
recommendation for full disciplinary action. I have a zero tolerance policy on plagiarism. For more information,
see the Board’s policy on standards of conduct AND my plagiarism handout. The plagiarism handout is
mandatory reading. Also, you may not turn in any work that was previously submitted in any other class,
including earlier sections of this course. All work for this class must be original to this class. Any work turned in
for this class that was previously submitted for this or for any other class constitutes plagiarism. Don’t recycle your
work and call it original.

RESPONSIBILITY: Your education is your responsibility. This means that it’s your responsibility to show up on
time, do your work and seek help. If you miss a test or homework assignment, do extra credit. If you miss class,
check with a classmate, or check our blog or come to my office hour to see what you missed. It is your
responsibility to acquire missed information/work on your own time, not during my time, class time or in the
moments just before class begins or right after it ends. See me during the four office hours I have set aside
specifically for this purpose. Grade Inventory Sheet: If you want to know how you’re doing in class, you must
come see me during office hours with your grade inventory sheet filled out. If you can’t make it to office hours, e-
mail me, and we’ll work it out.

FORMATTING: All assignments must be typed and double-spaced using Times New Roman 12 pt. font and
formatted according to the MLA handout, which I give out at the beginning of the semester. And when I say all, I
mean every one. If you don’t have a computer at home, you can use the fine computers on campus. If you’re
having any trouble at all with computer use, come see me and ask me for help! Try not to feel bad if you’re not
familiar with computer use. I will help you access this wonderful resource available on campus.

CLASS CONDUCT: In addition to showing up on time and prepared, please conduct yourself in class as a mature
adult who exhibits respect for others at all times. There is to be no food of any kind in class at any time. Water
is fine; food is not. Please refrain from excessive side conversations, as they are disruptive to others. Also, do not
use any media in class, which means no computers, iPods, cell phones, smart phones, ear plugs, mp3 players
and all similar electronic info/communication devices. All media must be put away, out of sight at all times
during class with the bells and ringers turned OFF. This includes ear buds hanging around your neck. If you do
not adhere to the no-media rule, you will be dismissed from class and you will be marked as an early
departure in the attendance book. That early departure counts against the total allowed absences. I am serious
about this issue. Do not use any media of any kind in class ever. If you think I will not see you texting, you’re
wrong. Don’t be the person who thinks he or she is above the rules and then gets called out publicly and booted
from class. It’s uncomfortable and disruptive for us all.

CLASS GUIDELINES: I am firm, fair and consistent on these guidelines. Don’t ask me to change them, because
if I do it for you I have to do it for all, and that’s a logistical impossibility. So asking me to change the rules just for
you is an act of futility that results in us both feeling bad. Know the rules. Plan ahead. Do extra credit. Find another
way.

HELP: I'm here to help you. If you want to talk or get extra help, see me in my office, send me an e-mail, give me
a call. If you wait until the eleventh hour (or thirteenth week) to reach out, you lessen your chances for turning
around a low grade, getting help, figuring something out or even getting in touch with me before a deadline. Try
not to procrastinate in this area. I want you to succeed in this course and in your educational goals. I realize it’s
tough, but you can do it, and I am here to help you do just that.

If you have a documented disability and wish to discuss academic accommodations, please contact me as soon as
possible.

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Outline of classes (subject to change):

Week 1 – Intro to Class/Mass Media: What are the media?

Tues. Aug. 31: Syllabus overview/discussion of class policies/plagiarism handout/blog. Homework: 1) Read the
plagiarism handout; 2) read the syllabus 3) take the syllabus quiz and bring it to the next class meeting; 4) read Ch.
1: Mass Media Literacy.

Week 2 – Media Literacy: Why should we care about them?

Tues., Sept. 7: Review syllabus quiz and plagiarism handout paperwork. SLO. Media literacy discussion.
Homework: Assignment No. 1 Media Use Survey and read Ch. 11: News AND Ch. 14: Entertainment.

Week 3 – News and Entertainment: A new definition of news

Tues., Sept. 14: Media Use Survey due. In-class activity. Begin news/ent. discussion. Seven elements of news
(DOB collection). Homework: Read Ch. 3: Books and Assignment No. 2 Book questionnaire/excerpt.

Week 4 – Books: The Durable Medium

Tues., Sept. 21: Begin book discussion. Banned Books week next week. Fullerton Library extra credit event. In-
class response activity on books. Homework: Read Ch. 4: Newspapers AND read and bring the Sept 28 issue of
the Los Angeles Times to class next week.

Week 5 – Newspapers: The Information Medium

Tues., Sept. 28: Newspaper discussion. In-class newspaper activity (read/discussion/in-class survey).
Read Ch. 5: Magazines.

Week 6 – Magazines: The Reflective Medium

Tues., Oct. 5: Magazine discussion/activity magazines. Homework: Read Ch. 6: Sound Recording and complete
Assignment No. 3: Write down two essay questions you think might be on the test and answer each one
completely, in essay form. Heads up! ***Test No. 1 in two weeks. Study guide posted on the blog this week! Look
for it.

Week 7 – Recordings: The Emotional Medium

Tues., Oct. 12: Begin recording discussion. In-class activity. Test No. 1 review/essay question activity.
Homework: Study for Test No. 1. Bring Scantron 882-E and No. 2 pencils to class Monday.

Week 8 – Test No. 1

Tues., Oct. 19: Test No. 1: Bring Scantron 882-E and a couple of No. 2 pencils. Paper will be provided for you to
use to complete the essay portion. If you prefer writing your essay in pen, bring a pen. But you must use a No. 2
pencil for the scantron portion so bring two, one to use and one as a back-up. Homework: Read Ch. 8: Radio.
Assignment No. 4 Radio station analysis.

Week 9 – Radio: The Entertainment Medium

Tues., Oct. 26: Review the exam. Begin discussion on radio. Assignment No. 4 is due. In-class radio activity.
Homework: Read Ch. 7: Motion Pictures.

Week 10 – Motion Pictures: The Powerful Medium

Tues., Nov. 2: Discuss motion pictures. In-class movie activity. Homework: Read Ch. 9: Television.

Week 11 – Television: The Dominant Medium

Tues., Nov. 9: Begin TV discussion. TV in-class activity. Homework: read Ch. 11: Internet.

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Week 12 – Internet: The Ubiquitous Medium
Tues., Nov. 16: Research paper review day. Handouts given. You do NOT want to miss this class. Begin
Internet discussion. Discussion of class to date. Homework: Assignment No. 5: Research paper questions and read
Ch. 16: Mass Media Effects and Ch. 20: Ethics.

Week 13 – Optional Conferences/One-on-one Research Paper Assistance

Tues., Nov. 23: Optional conferences in my office. Research paper questions graded and available for one-
on-one discussion. Test No. 2 study guide posted on the blog this week. Look for it! Optional Extra credit: Two
essay questions you think might be on the test and answer each one completely, in essay form.

Week 14 – Media Effects: The TV Made Me Do It and Ethics: Private or public?

Tues., Nov. 30: Mass media effects/ethics discussion. Research questions returned. Test No. 2 review activity.
Homework: Read Ch: 20: Ethics; and study for Test No. 2.

Week 15 – Test No. 2

Tues., Dec. 7: Test No. 2: Bring Scantron 882-E and a couple of No. 2 pencils. Paper will be provided for you to
use to complete the essay portion. If you prefer writing your essay in pen, bring a pen. But you must use a No. 2
pencil for the scantron portion so bring two, one to use and one as a back-up.

Week 16 – Research Papers and semester review

Tues., Dec. 14: Review Test No. 2. RESEARCH PAPERS ARE DUE IN CLASS TODAY. LATE WORK
WON’T BE ACCEPTED.

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