J363 F09 SYLLABUS LASORSA
Course: Journalism 363, Theories of Mass Communication. Unique No.: 07635. Meetings: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8-9:30 a.m. in Burdine 112.
Instructor: Dominic Lasorsa, Ph.D. Office: CMA 5.158B. Mailbox: CMA 6.144 (Journalism Office; ask receptionist to place in my mailbox.) Phone: 512-471-1966. Fax: 512-471-7979. Email: lasorsa@mail.utexas.edu. Office Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., and by appointment.
Teaching Assistants: Michelle Henderson and Yongwhan Kim. TA’s Office: UA9, Room 2.106. TA’s Office Phone: 512-475-6627. Michelle’s Cell Phone: 512-921-1423. Yongwhan’s Cell Phone: 512-825-9772. Michelle’s Email: mhenderson@mail.utexas.edu; Yongwhan’s Email: y.kim@mail.utexas.edu. Michelle’s Office Hours: Tuesdays, 2-5 p.m.; Yongwhan’s Office Hours: Wednesdays, 2-5 p.m.
Course Description: This course introduces students to mass communication theories and research. In many journalism classes, students learn mostly what journalists do and how they do it. In this class, we focus on theories that will help you get a fuller understanding of why journalists do what they do, and with what consequences--for individuals, groups and communities.
Learning Objectives:
* Become familiar with the scientific method. We want to understand what it is and how it differs from other ways of knowing.
* Use the scientific method to evaluate different mass communication theories and the evidence supporting these theories. We want to identify those theories that appear to be most promising in explaining or predicting how mass communication works.
* Use theory to identify powers the mass communicator wields. We want to explore ways to utilize these powers effectively.
* Use theory to identify limitations the mass communicator faces. We want to explore ways to overcome these limitations.
* Use theory to become better media producers and consumers.
Course Requirements: We have two major examinations. The second examination will focus mainly on material from the second half of the semester. Each exam is worth 25 percent of the final grade. We also have class and homework assignments. Some class and homework assignments will relate to a class project. All homework assignments are due at the beginning of class. Assignments turned in late are penalized, depending upon lateness and the nature of the assignment. Missed assignments receive no credit.
Religious Holy Days Observance Policy: The Texas Education Code specifies that an institution of higher education shall excuse a student from attending classes or other required activities, including examinations, for the observance of a religious holy day, including travel for that purpose. A student whose absence is excused under this subsection may not be penalized for that absence and shall be allowed to take an examination or complete an assignment from which the student is excused within a reasonable time after the absence. A student who misses classes or other required activities, including examinations, for the observance of a religious holy day should inform the instructor as far in advance of the absence as possible, so that arrangements can be made to complete an assignment within a reasonable time after the absence.
http://www.utexas.edu/student/registrar/catalogs/gi03-04/ch4/ch4g.html#attendance
Students with Disabilities: Please notify your instructor of any modification/adaptation you may require to accommodate a disability-related need. You will be requested to provide documentation to the Dean of Student's Office in order that the most appropriate accommodations can be determined. Specialized services are available on campus through Services for Students with Disabilities.
http://www.utexas.edu/diversity/ddce/ssd/
Policy on Scholastic Dishonesty: The University defines academic dishonesty as cheating, plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration, falsifying academic records, and any act designed to avoid participating honestly in the learning process. Scholastic dishonesty also includes, but is not limited to, providing false or misleading information to receive a postponement or an extension on a test, quiz, or other assignment, and submission of essentially the same written assignment for two courses without the prior permission of the instructor. By accepting this syllabus, you have agreed to these guidelines and must adhere to them. Scholastic dishonesty damages both the student's learning experience and readiness for the future demands of a work-career. Students who violate University rules on scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course and/or dismissal from the University. http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sjs/acint_student.php.
The Honor Code: The core values of the University of Texas at Austin are learning, discovery, freedom, leadership, individual opportunity, and responsibility. Each member of the University is expected to uphold these values through integrity, honesty, fairness, and respect toward peers and community.
Course Expectations: Come to class on time, prepared and ready to learn. Listen, take notes and participate in discussions. Turn off any devices (e.g., cell phone) that cause distractions. If you must enter late or exit early, be discreet. Do not engage in other activities that might disrupt the attention of others. If you have questions regarding any course work, check with us ahead of time. If another student in the class interferes in any way with your ability to learn, let us know immediately. If anything else is interfering with your ability to learn, let us know that, too. You have the right to expect your fellow classmates to behave responsibly and you have the responsibility to treat your fellow classmates the same way. Expect to be penalized for distractions you cause. The primary goal of the instructor and teaching assistants is to help you learn the course material. If you have any questions about anything relating to the course, please do not hesitate to contact one of us.
Grading: Plus/minus grades may be assigned for the final grade.
Examination One 25 percent
Examination Two 25 percent
Class and Homework Assignments 50 percent
TOTAL 100 percent
Texts:
Werner J. Severin and James W. Tankard Jr., COMMUNICATION THEORIES, Fifth Edition, Longman (2001). A reading packet containing additional readings will be available at a local copy shop.
Class Schedule:
PART I: HOW TO STUDY MASS COMMUNICATION
Thursday, August 27.
INTRODUCTION TO COURSE
Tuesday, September 1.
MASS COMMUNICATION THEORY
(What theory can do for media producers and consumers; conceptualization and measurement)
Reading: Chapter 1, "Introduction to Mass Communication Theory"
Thursday, September 3.
MASS COMMUNICATION RESEARCH
Tuesday, September 8.
THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD
(How it differs from other ways of knowing; research methods; reliability; validity)
Reading: Chapter 2, "Scientific Method"
Thursday, September 10.
MASS COMMUNICATION MODELS
(Uses of models; classic models of communication)
Reading: Chapter 3, "Models in Mass Communication Research."
Tuesday, September 15:
SCIENTIFIC MEASUREMENT
(Measuring complex concepts)
PART II: BARRIERS TO MASS COMMUNICATION
Thursday, September 17.
PERCEPTION
(Factors limiting ability to observe and report)
Reading: Chapter 4, "The Role of Perception in Communication.”
Tuesday, September 22.
SEMANTICS
(Misuses of language; slanting; objectivity)
Reading: Chapter 5, "Problems in Encoding."
PART III: SPECIAL CHALLENGES OF PERSUASIVE COMMUNICATION
Thursday, September 24.
PROPAGANDA
(Early approaches to persuasion; propaganda devices)
Reading: Chapter 6, "Analysis of Propaganda: First Theories of Decoding and Effects."
Tuesday, September 29.
ATTITUDE CHANGE
(Measuring attitudes; credibility; using mass communication to persuade)
Reading: Chapter 8, "Theories of Persuasion."
Thursday, October 1.
GROUP DYNAMICS
(How group pressure affects communication)
Reading: Chapter 9, "Groups and Communication."
Tuesday, October 6.
INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION & POLITICAL COMMUNICATION
(Voting and other decision-making behaviors; diffusion of innovations)
Reading: Chapter 10, "Mass Media and Interpersonal Communication."
Thursday, October 8.
REVIEW
Tuesday, October 13.
EXAMINATION ONE
PART IV: CONTEMPORARY MEDIA EFFECTS
Thursday, October 15.
AGENDA SETTING
(How news coverage affects the public agenda; issue salience)
Reading: Chapter 11, "Agenda Setting."
Tuesday, October 20.
THE KNOWLEDGE GAP
(Societal consequences of unequal diffusion of information)
Reading: Chapter 12, "The Knowledge-Gap Hypothesis."
Thursday, October 22.
VALUES
(Field versus lab experiments; consistency theories; comparative feedback)
Reading: Chapter 13, "Effects of Mass Communication," pages 262-266, "The Great American Values Test."
Tuesday, October 27.
SPIRAL OF SILENCE & THIRD PERSON EFFECT
(Political outspokenness; censorship; perceptions of media effects on others)
Reading: Chapter 13, "Effects of Mass Communication," pages 272-276.
Thursday, October 29.
SOCIAL LEARNING & FRAMING
(How people learn from media; how media frame issues & candidates)
Reading: Chapter 13, "Effects of Mass Communication," pages 276-283.)
Tuesday, November 3.
CULTIVATION
(Cumulative media effects; fear)
Reading: Chapter 13, "Effects of Mass Communication," pages 266-272. "The Scary World of TV’s Heavy Viewer."
Thursday, November 5.
MEDIA VIOLENCE
(Catharsis; desensitization; imitation)
Reading: Chapter 13, "Effects of Mass Communication," pages 283-289.
Tuesday, November 10.
USES & GRATIFICATIONS
(Audiences; media uses and needs)
Reading: Chapter 14, “Uses of the Mass Media.”
Tuesday, November 17.
NEW MEDIA
(Cyberspace; interactivity; virtual reality)
Reading: Chapter 17, “Theories of Cyber Communication.”
Thursday, November 19.
BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER: A CASE STUDY
(In-depth study of effects of one medium on its audience)
Reading: "Seduction of the Innocent."
Tuesday, November 24.
BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER, PART 2
(Science and politics; future trends; synthesis)
Reading: Chapter 18, "The Overall Picture."
Tuesday, December 1.
CONCLUSIONS
Thursday, December 3.
EXAMINATION TWO