Nov 04, 2025  
2023-2024 Course Catalog 
    
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2023-2024 Course Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

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COMM 1061 - Introduction to Mass Communication

Credits: 3
Hours/Week: Lecture 3 Lab 0
Internship hours per week 0
Course Description: This course is an introduction to the study of mass media in today’s society. We will critically explore media to gain an understanding of the historical, economic, regulatory, and ethical implications of the changing mass media landscape. Much of contemporary societies’ expression of cultural beliefs, behaviors, and experiences occur through mass mediated communication; consumers and producers of media must be able to critically examine, interpret, and influence media messages. Through examining mass media in historical and contemporary society we will examine the impact of media on individuals, culture, and social systems.
MnTC Goals
5 History/Social/Behavioral Science, 9 Ethical/Civic Responsibility

Prerequisite(s): Course placement into ENGL 0950  and RDNG 0950  or above OR completion of RDNG 0940  with a grade of C or higher OR course placement into ESOL 0051  and ESOL 0052  and ESOL 1033  OR completion of ESOL 0041  with a grade of C or higher and ESOL 0042  with a grade of C or higher and ESOL 0043  with a grade of C or higher.
Corequisite(s): None
Recommendation: None

Major Content
  1. Media and Culture
  2. Media Effects
  3. Books
  4. Newspapers
  5.  Magazines
  6.  Music
  7.  Radio
  8.  Movies
  9.  Television
  10.  Electronic Games and Entertainment
  11. The Internet and Social Media
  12. Advertising and Public Relations
  13. Economics of Mass Media
  14. Ethics of Mass Media
  15. Media and Government
  16.  The Future of Mass Media

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

  1. demonstrate an awareness of the history and changing nature of media and its role in American and global cultures.
  2. explain how economics, regulation, and technology affect each media industry.
  3. describe media controversy including the legal, ethical, and political issues and the impact of mass media on individuals and society.
  4. explain the profound impact of media practices and messages on public policy and institutions.
  5. describe basic assumptions and methods used to generate media research and to media theory developed from various social science perspectives.
  6. demonstrate media literacy skills to become an informed media consumer.

Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC): Goals and Competencies
Competency Goals (MnTC Goals 1-6)
05. 01. Employ the methods and data that historians and social and behavioral scientists use to investigate the human condition.
05. 02. Examine social institutions and processes across a range of historical periods and cultures.
05. 03. Use and critique alternative explanatory systems or theories.
05. 04. Develop and communicate alternative explanations or solutions for contemporary social issues.
Theme Goals (MnTC Goals 7-10)
09. 01. Examine, articulate, and apply their own ethical views.
09. 02. Understand and apply core concepts (e.g. politics, rights and obligations, justice, liberty) to specific issues.
09. 03. Analyze and reflect on the ethical dimensions of legal, social, and scientific issues.


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