Apr 19, 2024  
2017-2018 Course Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Course Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

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COMM 1061 - Introduction to Mass Communication

Credits: 3
Hours/Week: Lecture 3Lab None
Course Description: This course focuses on the historical, cultural, economic, and political impact of mass communication on individual media consumers and on American and global cultures. Topics may include corporate control, the role of government, freedom of expression, values and ethics, journalism, advertising, public relations, and media effects. Specific media industries, including radio, television, movies, newspapers, books, magazines, and the internet, will be examined.
MnTC Goals
5 History/Social/Behavioral Science, 9 Ethical/Civic Responsibility

Prerequisite(s): Assessment score placement in RDNG 0950  or higher, or completion of RDNG 0900  with a grade of C or higher, and assessment score placement in ENGL 0090 , or completion of ENGL 0080  with a grade of C or higher.
Corequisite(s): None
Recommendation: Assessment score placement in RDNG 1000 , or completion of RDNG 0900  or RDNG 0950  with a grade of C or higher, and assessment score placement in ENGL 1021 , or completion of ENGL 0090  with a grade of C or higher.

Major Content
  1. Concepts and definitions of Mass Communication
  2. First Amendment Issues
  3. Electronic and Digital Media Industries
    1. Radio (including internet radio)
    2. Television (including satellite and digital television)
    3. Movies
    4. Music and sound recordings (including digital distribution systems)
    5. Internet and the World Wide Web
    6. Convergence between analog and digital media
    7. Other (e.g. Video Games, Emerging techonologies and media)
  4. Media Economics
  5. Media Effects Theories
  6. Media Regulation and Controls
  7. Print Media Industries
    1. Books
    2. Newspapers
    3. Magazines

Learning Outcomes
At the end of this course students will be able to:

  1. Identify basic concepts of mass communication/mass media relative to the historical, cultural, economic, and political issues surrounding these concepts
  2. Analyze competing interests underlying mass media content, administration, and regulation.
  3. Evaluate the impact of media industries on media consumers and on American and global cultures.


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