036:088 Mass Communication and American Democracy

036:088 Mass Communication and American Democracy
TTh 10:55 – 12:10 in 205 BCSB

Instructor: John McClain Watson

Office 136 BCSB

Office Hours: TTh 12:30 – 2:00 or by appt.

Course web page:http://www.uiowa.edu/~c036088

Overview: We tend to assume that mass communication and democracy have something to do with each other, but what exactly is the nature of their relationship? How and why are debates about mass communication also debates about democracy? Have questions about the relationship mass communication and democracy ever been as important as they are today in the age of the Internet? The short answer is YES. Students who want to find out how interesting and personally relevant the longer answer have enrolled in this course. Those who complete the course will be able to bring an informed and historically-sensitive perspective to this critically-important topic in American history. Course readings include popular, scholarly, and governmental texts addressing key moments in the history of mass communication in America.

Readings: All of the readings are available on the course website. As a backup, I have also placed one copy of each reading on reserve in the Main Library. I recommend that you print the readings in an ITC so as to avoid tech mishaps.

The Lowdown: This is an upper-level course which consists of lectures, readings, discussions, a unit one review exam, an out-of-class activity, an annotated bibliography, and a final paper. Our Tuesday/Thursday meetings will be the time for synthesis, extension, and discussion of pertinent themes from the readings and so I will expect everyone to have read assigned texts at least once before coming to class. You may be able to “get the gist” of the readings simply by attending class but I can assure you that merely knowing “the gist” will not be sufficient to guarantee your success in this course.

In this class you are required to work across many different "channels" of communication: lectures, readings, class discussion, papers, activities, etc. At times these channels will be tightly meshed; other times you will have to work to make connections on your own. If you have trouble connecting the dots, or with anything else, please see me during office hours. I try to be as accessible as possible. I will strive to keep what you are exposed to well organized, but in a field as controversial and dynamic as communication studies, every responsible scholar has to do a lot of thinking on their own.

What I Will Do: organize and facilitate your engagement with readings; design worthwhile class activities; incorporate contemporary examples and texts for discussion; create interesting yet straightforward assignments with which you can creatively work through central themes of the course; establish an open and productive classroom environment; provide clear and helpful feedback on papers and exams.

What A Successful Student Should Do: come to class having read and prepared to engage assigned material; ask questions and contribute to discussion with the understanding that doing so is the best (only?) way to educate oneself; maintain regular contact with the instructor.

Grading: 600 total points are possible.

100 points for participation and attendance

150 points for Unit One review test

100 points for out-of-class activity

100 points for annotated bibliography

150 points for final paper

Attendance: Your should strive for perfect attendance. If you find that it is going to be difficult for you to attend on a regular basis then you should seriously consider dropping the course. Absences that result in an assignment being turned in late require proper documentation and/or pre-absence notification. I will accept late work up to ten days after the assignment is due but, unless we work something out beforehand, it will be assessed a penalty of 10% per day late. Attendance will be taken at each class meeting.

Participation: Since you are all experienced college students I assume that you have taken enough classes to know how productive class discussion can be both for clarifying and applying oftentimes abstract course material to the everyday concerns of everyday people (like you and me). Although we have may have too many people to achieve a true seminar-type class format, I will do everything I can to maximize opportunities for you to collaborate with your fellow class members and otherwise discourse in class. The material we will engage is challenging but worth it, and I look forward to discussing it with you both in and out of class.

Grievances: If you have problems or issues with anything that goes on in class, please take it up first with me directly. The next step is Prof. Randy Hirokawa, DEO, Communication Studies, 105 BCSB.