SYLLABUS (GREEN SHEET)  Mass Comm 103: Fall 2012  History of American Media TTh 9:00-10:15 a.m.  DBH 133

Dr. Richard Craig, Associate Professor  Office: DBH 108; 924-3287  E-mail: profcraig@profcraig.com  Office Hours:   Tuesday 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. & by appointment

Prof. Craig's home page: http://www.profcraig.com
Class home page: http://www.profcraig.com/103f12.html
Prof. Craig on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Profcraig 
Prof. Craig on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@SJSUProfCraig 

SYLLABUS SUPPLEMENT:
You are required to read all information on this syllabus and on the syllabus supplement, which lists policies that apply to all my classes.  A copy should be attached to this document; if it is missing or you need another copy, it is available on the Web at http://www.profcraig.com/syllsup.html.

CONTENT:
This course provides an overview of the development of mass communications in the United States from colonial times to the present. The course examines social, economic and political factors that shaped modern media and the impact of mass media on the society. 

TEXT:
Anthony Fellow, American Media History (3rd Edition).

Textbook is available at the Spartan Bookstore.  Please note that other outside readings will be assigned periodically throughout the semester, and that you will be responsible for these readings in addition to the text.

STRUCTURE:
I require regular class participation in discussions and keeping up with readings from the text.  There will be a midterm and a final exam, and a term paper.  Assignments are weighted as follows:
 

 
See syllabus supplement for other grading policies.

CLASS DISCUSSION:
This is a class on history, but it's not just going to be a semester of regurgitating names and dates.  The focus is on learning from the development of media in America and applying those lessons to current-day issues and concerns.  For each subject we cover in class, we're going to spend some time in class relating it to current issues and concerns.  Since this is an upper-division course, you will be expected to participate actively in these discussions -- 20 percent of your grade will come from participation.  The idea isn't to be punitive -- it's to create an atmosphere in which participation is encouraged and welcomed.  I insist upon one rule within this structure -- no one is to insult another person's contribution, period.  A good environment for discussion is not based on negativity.

EXAMS:
Both the midterm and the final exam will consist of three parts: multiple choice, identifications and short essays.  You will not need to bring exam books; answers are written on the exam sheets.  You'll receive a study guide for each exam roughly a week in advance.  To be fair to all students, exams must be taken on the day scheduled, with exceptions granted for only well-documented legitimate emergencies (see syllabus supplement).  Please note the dates for the midterm and the final and clear your schedule as soon as possible. 

TERM PAPER:
The paper assigned for this class will be due November 13.  It will be a 10-to-12 page look at how one historical person, event or issue influenced today's technology, media or everyday life.  You'll receive a detailed handout on the paper assignment a couple of weeks into the semester, and we'll spend some time discussing it early in the semester.  You will submit a paper topic proposal September 13 -- a couple of paragraphs about the topic you've chosen to write about.  More details on all term paper-related matters will be discussed in the handout. As noted in the syllabus supplement, papers are expected to be turned in on time, period.

INSTRUCTIONAL GOALS OF MASS COMM 103:
This course aims to introduce you to the history of mass communication media in America. By the end of this semester, you should:

• Have a clear idea of the historical patterns in the development of mass communication;
• Understand basic journalistic concepts, standards and terms;
• Be able to discuss the impact of press freedom on the development of American democracy;
• Know how the development of different technologies helped different media to evolve;
• Be familiar with the different functions of mass media, and be able to identify how different media (and media systems) serve those functions;
• Be able to discuss the similarities and differences between old and new media technologies;
• Be able to analyze how the evolution of news media also influenced persuasive media;
• Understand both the significance and limitations of new media.

See syllabus supplement for information on deadlines, academic honesty and other issues not covered here.

SCHEDULE: (Subject to change, with notice):
    Subject matter of each day's class is in plain type, assigned readings are italicized.
    You are expected to complete each day's assigned readings before coming to class.
 

Week	Reading
Aug. 23	Introduction: Media Functions Fellow, Intro and Chapter 1
Aug. 28-30	The Press in the Development of American Democracy Fellow, Chapters 2-3
Sept. 4-6	Journalism as a Mass Medium Fellow, Chapter 4
Sept. 11-13	Sensationalism and Partisanship Fellow, Chapters 5-6 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13: TERM PAPER PROPOSAL DUE
Sept. 18-20	Magazines, Muckraking, and Public Relations Fellow, Chapter 7
Sept. 25-27	American Film Fellow, Chapter 8
Oct. 2-4	Movies/Radio Fellow, Chapters 8-9
Oct. 9-11	Radio and its Promises Fellow, Chapter 9
Oct. 16-18	Radio Changes to Survive Fellow, Chapter 9, continued THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18: MIDTERM EXAM
Oct. 23-25	Television: Progress and Problems Fellow, Chapter 10
Oct. 30-Nov. 3	Television's Rising and Falling Influence Fellow, Chapter 10, continued
Nov. 6-8	Television/Advertising Fellow, Chapters 10-11
Nov. 13-15	TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13: TERM PAPER DUE IN CLASS Advertising as a Social, Economic and Political Force Fellow, Chapter 11
Nov. 20-22	Advertising in Modern America Fellow, Chapter 11, continued THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22: THANKSGIVING -- NO CLASS
Nov. 27-29	The Media and National Crises Fellow, Chapter 12-13
Dec. 4	The Internet Revolution Fellow, Chapter 14

Final Exam:

Thursday, December 6, 9:00-10:15 a.m. in regular classroom.