Communication Studies The University of Iowa College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Search

036:074 Media and Society

Prerequisites: None required. Counts for General Education credit in the social sciences.

Curriculum Fit:

This is a Communication Studies theory course, which aims to explore particular bodies of theory and investigate the process of theorizing. This is an intermediate level course within the department that may also be used to fulfill the College's General Education Requirement. Some students will have taken the Core Course, but many will not. Students who take this class typically come from a broad range of majors and class ranks.

Course objective:

The aim of the course is to introduce students to the basic concepts, histories, and configurations of mass media. The course investigates the intersections between mass media and other societal dimensions, such as cultural, legislative, political, technological and financial issues. The goal is provide students with the capabilities to move beyond their roles as media consumers to become active media critics, capable of capturing and interpreting meanings produced at the crossroads between media and society.

Suggested Textbook:

The following text has been used for many years in the department.

Campbell, Richard. (2001). Media & Culture: An Introduction to Mass Communication. 3rd edition. Bedford/St. MartinŐs Press.

Assignments/Workload:

Assignments aim to require students to apply theoretical knowledge/understanding of both the material studied as well as application. Assignments have included regular responses to assigned readings, a presentation/leading class discussion, and a final paper of approximately 5 pages that overviews the course or engages in a particular intersection between media and society (a controversy, current development, etc.) In addition, the course includes a mid-term and final exam, both typically containing written components.