SIM/UB Undergraduate Program (Spring 2007)

COM 242: Effects of Mass Communication


Class Calendar & Reading Assignments


Week

Date

Topic

To-Do

1

Jan

15

Orientation: Who am I? Who are you? Why this class?

Set Goals



17

Introduction: Before we start… what is Mass Media?

Overview






2


22

A Scientific Approach to the Study of Media Effects

Chpt 1



24






3


29

Scientific Methods in Media Effects Research, and…
… RESEARCH ASSIGNMENTS BRIEFING

Chpt 2



31

4

Feb

05

PRESENTATION: A Brief History of Media Effects

Chpt 3



07

DISCUSSION: A Brief History of Media Effects

Chpt 3






5

12
National Library Outing



14

Briefing: Final Research Assignment







6


19

NO CLASS - CHINESE NEW YEAR HOLIDAY!




21







7


26

PRESENTATION: Marshall McLuhan -
A Less Scientific Approach to Media Impact

Chpt 12, 4



28

PRESENTATION: The Uses and Gratifications Approach






8

Mar

05

Review for MID-TERM EXAM

Chpt 1, 2, 3, 12, 4



07

MID-TERM EXAM






9


12

PRESENTATION: Effects of Media Violence

Chpt 5, 6



14

PRESENTATION: Sexual Content in the Media






10


19

PRESENTATION: Frightening Media - Media That Stir Emotions

Chpt 7

Project 1



21

DISCUSSION: Media That Stir Emotions






11


26

PRESENTATION: Why Attitudes Are Difficult to Change - Persuasive Effects of the Media

Chpt 8



28

DISCUSSION: Persuasive Effects of the Media






12

Apr

02

PRESENTATION: Agenda Setting Research
- The Effects of News and Political Content

Chpt 9

Project 2



04

DISCUSSION: Agenda Setting Research






13


09

PRESENTATION: Cultivation Research, The Effects of Media Research

Chpt 10



11

DISCUSSION: Cultivation Research






14


16

PRESENTATION: The Impact of New Media Technologies

Chpt 11

Project 3



18

Review for FINAL EXAM







15

Apr

26

FINAL Exam (Thursday, 10am - 12pm)

6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11




Good Luck!


Note: The instructor reserves the right to change the syllabus according to situation.