Communication 110 Media and Democracy Spring 2011

Transcription

1 Cmmunicatin 110 Media and Demcracy Spring 2011 Instructr: Prfessr Elavsky ANGEL Office: 112 Kern Office Phne: Mailbx: 115 Carnegie Hall Office Hurs: T-R 12-1 (by appt.) Teaching Assistants: TA Office Hurs: See Page 6 - Cristina Mislan - Brian MacAuley - Janelle Applequist Curse Descriptin and Objectives: In this curse, we will explre the rle f the mass media in fstering demcracy and demcratic practices, as well as civic awareness and engagement mre bradly. In ding s, we will cnsider the cncept f demcracy itself and the media s theretical and practical relatinship t nurturing its principles. We will als cnsider the rle f gvernment and its relatinship t the media in cnstructing plitical knwledge, cnceptins f representative demcracy, and an infrmed ppulace. Critical t all f this is discerning hw culture impacts the mass media, hw the mass media bth cntribute t and are shaped by culture, and what civic respnsibilities and bligatins yu have within this framewrk. Therefre, part f the learning prcess this semester will invlve enhancing ur analytical abilities and critical thinking skills s as t cnsider alternatives t cmmn sense, in an effrt t think thrugh the larger ethics and implicatins f media practices, cultural beliefs and ur individual relatinships t them. It is imprtant t ask yurself abut yur lcatin in this scial and cultural cnfiguratin (yur cultural bx s t speak), hw yu fit within it, and in turn, hw it affects yu and yu affect it. Integral t understanding sciety and culture and its relatinship t hw we cnceptualize and enact demcracy starts by gaining a better understanding f urselves and the intersectins f identity, experience, and representatin that cnnect us beynd ur persnal brders f definitin. This curse will prvide a space fr us t analyze and discuss the relatinships between the gvernment, the mass media, and the peple twards enacting demcracy and scial justice. Our first step is t develp and fster critical thinking (meaning t questin that which is mst bvius) abut urselves, s as t discern hw infrmatin, ideas and experiences are prduced, disseminated and understd in relatin t the mass media within ur culture, and hw specific cultural, scial, plitical, and ecnmic frces influence and infrm these prcesses. In shrt, we will be tackling a lt f cnceptual grundwrk and fr yu t get the mst ut f this class, it is imperative yu cmplete (and think thrugh) the readings and assignments and actively participate in the discussins. If yu d this, yu will never see yur wrld the same way again. Mrever, the class will have mre meaning fr yu and be mre fun fr everyne.

2 Caveat: Yu may encunter ideas and thughts in this curse yu may nt agree with r that may even ffend yu. Understand that this is part f the strategy behind the curse design t challenge yu -- as we seek t engage alternative and ppsing perspectives. An imprtant suggestin fr cnduct in relatin t the curse: befre drawing impulsive cnclusins, pause first, really think abut what is being cmmunicated, cnsider the texts, statements, images, and arguments clsely, reflect n them, and then and nly then -- respnd in a thughtful and respectful manner. Passin is fine fr this curse; disrespect, cndescensin, and/r utright dismissal f yur clleagues r curse cntent is unacceptable. Our gal is t fster awareness and t build dialgue in this curse. This requires respect, hnesty, decrum, and mst f all, that yu initially suspend judgment. N tpic r perspective is ff limits, but they must be presented and engaged with maturity and critical thinking. Finally, d nt think that yur pinin is valued nly if it agrees with mine. I expect us t disagree n many pints as we mve twards critical understandings and cnsciusness f alternative perspectives. It is thrugh the real and meaningful engagement f divergent viewpints that we all learn and benefit. *THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND THROUGHOUT THE SEMESTER* YES, the Mass Media are infrmative and entertaining, ften prviding reassuring statements and pleasurable escapes fr us frm ur thughts, fears, and daily cncerns. BUT, the Mass Media are als very influential in ur lives in many bvius and subtle ways; cnsidering hw we use the Mass Media, and hw and why smething in the media appeals t us (r des nt appeal t us) can tell us a lt abut the way we see urselves, the wrld, and ur behavir and place in it. NO, the Mass Media are nt inncent their structure and frms are plitical and cmplexly rganized, prducing real cnsequences that implicate and affect all f us. T genuinely critique the Mass Media and the infrmatin and representatins it prvides is t ask questins that generally are transparent, nt cnsidered, r g unasked in ur lcal culture and daily lives; the fact that such questins may seem negative nly serves t underscre the pwer f the media and its ability t influence ur realities in specific ways that we may nt even be aware f. Develping critical cnsciusness des nt mean t reject the Mass Media, its messages, and minders (peple wh wrk within the Mass Media) within reductive arguments that view them all as simple, evil, devius, r part f cnspiracy theries ; rather, critical cnsciusness means t actively engage the Mass Media, their messages, and their minders in ways that recgnize the pwer they pssess, giving them the respect and cnsideratin they deserve, while prviding hnest and thughtful criticism s as t prmte and prduce scial awareness, civic imprvements, and universal scial justice. Required Texts: - Electrnic Reserve Readings (available nline in Angel) 2

3 * Additinal shrt media (nline articles, vides, etc.) may be assigned during the semester. These will be prvided t yu either n the blg, r via Angel, twitter r (URL links)* General Curse Requirements: Fllwing Current Events and News: As this curse cnsiders the rle f the mass media in ur lives, it will therefre require yu t engage a range f media cntent alngside the assigned class readings, writings, and discussins, allwing yu t discern hw these media and the way their messages are cnstructed critically relate t the rientatins f ur cultural cnceptins and hw we perceive the wrld. An awareness f current events and a cnsideratin f hw they specifically impact ur wn lives is essential fr understanding much f this curse material, as many f the classrm examples will be placed in the cntext f current events. As such, yu will be expected t: - Regularly fllw the news, taking advantage f the New Yrk Times, USA Tday, and Centre Daily Times which are available t yu free f charge thrugh the Student Readership Prgram. - Engage in sme instances special news prgrams r cmmentary (i.e. Nightline, BBC reprts, internet cntent, etc.) specifically related t the issues we are discussing in class. These will cmprise yur quiz material Class Participatin: Students shuld cme t class prepared, having dne the readings fr the week meaning that the readings fr any particular week shuld be cmpleted by the Tuesday f the week they are assigned, allwing us t ptentially engage all readings during all class perids f that particular week. Students shuld als be prepared t address the curse material, answer questins, and engage their classmates and the instructr with regard t the curse material in a thughtful and respectful manner (this pertains t yur activity in the scial media realm as well). Class attendance is crucial t the success f ur semester and is therefre expected, but is nt required. Hwever, Students are slely respnsible fr any class material (ntes, discussin tpics cvered, themes addressed, etc.) they miss due t absences; neither myself, Cristina, Brian, r Janelle are respnsible fr letting yu knw the imprtant things yu missed; make friends in class wh can pass that infrmatin n t yu. New Media: Thrughut the semester, we will incrprate Twitter int the flw f the class. At this time, it is imprtant fr yu t get a gmail and Twitter accunt (see blg fr instructins), registering it (alng with yur Penn State user lgin) n Angel. I wuld als encurage yu t explre twitter n yur wn ( s that yu becme mre familiar/cmfrtable with it if yu are nt already. Yu are encuraged t bring yur laptp t class, but yu can als twitter thrugh yur mbile phnes as well. Fr thse f yu wh have neither, yu will need t access twitter frm an alternative prtal at yur cnvenience. We will address this cmpnent t ur class in mre detail in the cming weeks. A) Quizzes: [25% f the final grade] Evaluatin Criteria: 3

4 Starting week 3, there will be a weekly 5-questin multiple-chice quiz that yu will take via ANGEL (week 3-14) that will test yu n current plitical events. Each quiz will require a passwrd t access it. This passwrd will be delivered in class at a randm time during either lecture fr the week; nce it has been distributed, yu will have 24 hurs t take the quiz. There will be n makeups and the instructr/tas WILL NOT send the cde ut via . Of the 12 quizzes, the tp 10 grades will be taken (meaning we will drp 2 quizzes); in this way, yu are able t miss 2 quizzes (fr whatever reasn) and still nt be penalized B) Exams: [75% f the final grade] In the interest f develping demcratic input, the exams will cnsist f questins derived frm students as well as the instructr. It will ccur as fllws: At the end f each week, yu will be encuraged t submit a multiple chice questin (with answers highlighted) t a drp bx n Angel related t the material fr that week. Yu can submit 1 questin per week. A percentage f the best questins will be chsen t be included n the exam (f 40 multiple chice questins). Fr every questin that submitted and chsen, yu will earn 2 extra pints n that exam (as well as 2.5 pints fr answering it crrectly, assuming yu remember yur wn right answer). In the case f repeat questins, the persn wh submitted it first will get the 2 pts. In this way, it is hped that the exams will als reflect what it is that YOU, the students in the class, think are the imprtant brad themes and details t take away frm this curse. Up t 5 questins culd cnceivably be chsen frm each persn fr any particular exam. N extra credit is given fr simply submitting the questins; they must be chsen by the instructr t appear n the exam in rder t receive credit. Grade Breakdwn: - First Exam [33.3% f the final grade] - Secnd Exam [33.3% f final grade]: - Third Exam [33.4% f final grade]: The First Exam cvering weeks 1-5 will take place n February 10 th. The Secnd Exam cvering weeks 6-10 will take place March 24 th. The Third Exam cvering weeks 11-15will take place n April 28 th. All exams will be in class and take the full perid (75 minutes). Each exam will be cmprised f multiple chice questins pertaining t any and all curse-related wrk (readings, lectures, handuts, chat activities, in-class discussins, films, etc.) engaged up t that pint. Grade Breakdwn: - 10 Quizzes [weeks 3-14] [25% f the final grade] - Exams [75% f final grade] A 93 and higher C A C B D B F and belw B Exams might be curved based n class perfrmance; I dn t curve final grades 4

5 ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: Academic integrity is the pursuit f schlarly and creative activity in an pen, hnest and respnsible manner, free frm fraud and deceptin, and is an educatinal bjective f the Cllege f Cmmunicatins and the university. Cheating, including plagiarism, falsificatin f research data, using the same assignment fr mre than ne class, turning in smene else's wrk, r passively allwing thers t cpy yur wrk, will result in academic penalties at the discretin f the instructr, and may result in the grade f "XF' (failed fr academic dishnesty) being put n yur permanent transcript. In serius cases it culd als result in suspensin r dismissal frm the university. As students studying cmmunicatin, yu shuld understand and avid plagiarism (presenting the wrk f thers as yur wn). A discussin f plagiarism, with examples, can be fund at: The rules and plicies regarding academic integrity shuld be reviewed by every student, and can be fund nline at: and in the Cllege f Cmmunicatins dcument, "Academic Integrity Plicy and Prcedures." Any student with a questin abut academic integrity r plagiarism is strngly encuraged t discuss it with his r her instructr. NOTE TO STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: Penn State welcmes students with disabilities int the University's educatinal prgrams. If yu have a disability-related need fr reasnable academic adjustments in this curse, cntact the Office fr Disability Services, ODS lcated in rm 116 Bucke Building at (V/TTY). Fr further infrmatin regarding ODS, please visit their web site at Instructrs shuld be ntified as early in the semester as pssible regarding the need fr reasnable academic adjustments. Curse Learning Outcmes: Prfessinal Values and Cmpetencies The Accrediting Cuncil n Educatin in Jurnalism and Mass Cmmunicatins requires that, irrespective f their particular specializatin, all graduates shuld be aware f certain cre values and cmpetencies and be able t: understand and apply the principles and laws f freedm f speech and press, including the right t dissent, t mnitr and criticize pwer, and t assemble and petitin fr redress f grievances; demnstrate an understanding f the histry and rle f prfessinals and institutins in shaping cmmunicatins demnstrate an understanding f the diversity f grups in a glbal sciety in relatinship t cmmunicatins; understand cncepts and apply theries in the use and presentatin f images and infrmatin; demnstrate an understanding f prfessinal ethical principles and wrk ethically in pursuit f truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity; think critically, creatively and independently; cnduct research and evaluate infrmatin by methds apprpriate t the cmmunicatins prfessins in which they wrk; write crrectly and clearly in frms and styles apprpriate fr the cmmunicatins prfessins, audiences and purpses they serve; critically evaluate their wn wrk and that f thers fr accuracy and fairness, clarity, apprpriate style and grammatical crrectness; apply basic numerical and statistical cncepts; 5

6 apply tls and technlgies apprpriate fr the cmmunicatins prfessins in which they wrk. T the best f ur ability and as they apply t ur cursewrk, we will strive t develp these gals and utcmes in this class Miscellaneus: Teaching Assistant: Cristina Mislan, Brian MacAuley, and Janelle Applequist: cntact thrugh Angel Office Hurs: Cristina: T: 4-5 in the James Building by appt./ Brian: R 12-1 site TBA by appt./ Janelle: R: 1-2 McKinnn s Café by appt. If yu have a questin abut any f the readings, assignments, r anything curse related, it is up t yu t apprach r cntact Cristina, Brian, Janelle r myself (r t cnsult the blg/angel) in due time; we cannt read yur mind and it is much better t be verly safe than srry later: N questin r cncern is stupid except the nes that remain unexplred. My plicy is t acknwledge ANGEL s within 24 hurs and respnd within 2 days. The mst effective way t reach me is thrugh ANGEL; DO NOT USE MY ADDRESS; I will nt answer class s frm that address. Blg/ANGEL: The curse syllabus and readings will be available n the class blg/angel. We will use the blg/angel in this curse regularly fr infrmatin, crrespndence, and the distributin f curse-related materials; yu shuld therefre check them daily fr activity and updates. As a means f intrducing urselves t ne anther, please pst a picture t Angel s yur classmates and I can sner put names t faces and mre easily get t knw yu as mre than a face in the crwd. Yu will need t have ne psted by the third week, as it will cunt against yu n the first quiz if a picture is nt present. Persnal Cmmunicatin Devices: Use f cell phnes and ther persnal cmputing/cmmunicatin devices in the classrm beynd class parameters is discuraged. Yu can be asked t leave if yur engagement in such practices is verly disruptive and/r distracting t ther students/the instructr. Repeated ffenses will affect yur quiz grades. Make sure yur ringers are turned ff prir t entering the classrm. Fd and Beverages: Fd and drinks are fficially prhibited in the classrm by university plicy. Althugh I will nt be plicing the rm, I wuld ask that yu please eat and get yur caffeine befre yu cme t class. Yu will be asked t dispse f any fd items I see being eaten flagrantly and may be asked t leave if yu are fund cnsuming them during class time mre than nce. Water is kay. *The instructr reserves the right t make alteratins t this syllabus* 6

7 Cmmunicatins 110 Syllabus: Spring 2011 Week 1: Intrductin t the Big Picture; verview f syllabus, requirement, curse cncepts Thmas Paine: Age f Reasn ({A}= n ANGEL) Plat: The Allegry f the Cave {A} Film: Mr. Smith Ges t Washingtn (watch nline) Week 2: Demcracy, the Media and what we believe Mindich, D. Z. (2005). Tuned Out: Why Americans Under 40 Dn t Fllw the News. Oxfrd: Oxfrd University Press. pp. 1-33; {A} Curran, J. (2005). What Demcracy Requires f the Media. In Overhlser, G. and Hall Jamiesn, K. (Eds.) The Press. Oxfrd: Oxfrd University Press. pp {A} Student Plitical/Media Organizatin Panel Discussin Week 3: Media and Demcracy: (Media, Cmmercialism, Crpratism, and the Public Sphere ) Garnham, N. (1990). Capitalism and Cmmunicatin. Lndn: Sage. pp {A} Gvernment fr Sale: Hw Lbbyists Shaped the Financial Refrm Bill Film: Jurneys with Gerge (in class) Week 4: Issues and Stakes: Jurnalism (Functins, frms and its changing nature) Bennett, W. L. (2005). News: The Plitics f Illusin (6 th ed.). New Yrk: Pearsn Lngman Press. pp. 1-35, {A} 7

8 Film: The Paper (in class) Map f Traditinal Media Realm: Newspapers, Televisin, Radi, Magazines, Internet (in class) Week 5: Issues and Stakes: War Bamfrd, J. (2005, Nvember). The Man Wh Sld the War. Rlling Stne. Prchnau, W. (2005). The Military and the Media. In Overhlser, G. and Hall Jamiesn, K. (Eds.) The Press. Oxfrd: Oxfrd University Press. pp {A} Film: Buying the War (2007)(watch nline) First Exam 2/10 Week 6: Plitics, Pundits, Ppular Culture, Plitical Humr Street, J. (1997). Plitics & Ppular Culture. Philadelphia: Temple University Press. pp {A} Day, A. (2009 ). And Nw The News?: Mimesis and the Real in the Daily Shw. In Gray, J., Jnes, J. and Thmpsn. E. (Eds.). Satire TV: Plitics and Cmedy in the Pst-Netwrk Era. New Yrk University Press {A} The Daily Shw/Clbert Reprt clips (in class) Week 7 & 8 Plitics and New Media: New Media Realm (Culture, Plitics & Educatin): Hw Facebk is redefining Privacy Hw Twitter Will Change the Way We Live Readings n 1) Scial Media/Netwrking, 2) Vide Games, and 3) New Technlgies (TBA) Week 9 Media and Internatinal Demcratic Mvements 8

9 Wikileaks: Human Rights Readings n 1) Sudan (Sand and Srrw) 2) Burma 3) Iran and 4) China Trture: the Great American Exprt Week 10: Media as Idelgical State Apparatus (media/crprate prpaganda, law, censrship) Readings: Marijuana America The United States f Amerijuana: Film: Grass Secnd Exam 3/24 Week 11 Framing/Addressing Cntemprary Cncerns Big Gvernment Cntrl/ Health Care Film: Mney-Driven Medicine {Angel link} The Wall Street/K Street cnnectin (Taibbi) TBA Week 12: Radical Plitics (The rle f alternative/extreme viewpints/actins in plitics/plitical discurse) The Very Angry Tea Party The Dumbing f America: Vilence and threats have n place in demcracy: Film: Sldiers in the Army f Gd Jesus Camp Week 13: Framing/Addressing Cntemprary Cncerns LGBT Civil Rights Public Agenda fr Citizens 9

10 Gay Marriage: The Arguments and the Mtives Film: Training Rules (in class) Week 14: Framing/Addressing Cntemprary Cncerns Capitalism & the Plitics f Class in the America Films: Nami Klein: Disaster Capitalism: Inside the Meltdwn Capitalism: A Lve Stry {t be shwn in an alternative setting) Week 15: Educatin, Civic Engagement and the Future f Media Demcracy Class Discussin: Where d we g frm here? Third Exam 4/28 10