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

36:088 Mass Communication and American Democracy

Prerequisite: one course from 36:070-36:075

Curriculum Fit:

This is a Communication Studies theory course. Students taking this course would be assumed to have completed at least part of their Rhetoric Department requirements and the Communications Studies core course, as well as at least one theory course. After taking this course, students might be expected to continue adding media studies and/or production courses, with relevant cognates in interpersonal and rhetorical communication studies.

Objectives:

This course brings together theories of mass communication and theories of American democratic governance relevant to historical and contemporary contexts. Technologies typically considered include print, photography, telegraphy and telephony, radio, television, and computer media. Students are expected to engage in discussion of the readings, to take at least one in-class exam, and to prepare an annotated bibliography and a final paper. Instructors often add an out-of-class activity.

Textbooks:

This course has been taught through a course pack of articles. The sample syllabus below contains citations to articles used in Spring 2003. You can view the actual articles at http://www.uiowa.edu/~c036088 or contact mcclain-watson@uiowa.edu.

Assignments and Readings:

As a theory course, the curriculum in this class should emphasize lecture/discussion sessions. The reading load should be farily heavily, and oriented toward reinforcing lecture content and providing a basis for substantive discussions. Attached to this sheet is a sample tentative schedule.

Grading Policy:

Students in this practice course will be evaluated primarily on their written work and their participation in class discussion.

Grading Policy Sample:

600 total points are possible.