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COMM 3376: Media EffectsDescription and Goals of the CourseReadingsCourse Delivery Method: Synchronous OnlineCourse RequirementsThis assignment is due Thursday, 3/24/22 by the start of class.Final Project and Presentations: 50% total (30% for written components; 20% for in-class presentation)due 4/14Grading RubricPolicies, Statements, and NotesWork ExpectationsBlackboard (Bb) and E-mailAcademic HonestyAcademic MisconductPlagiarismWritten AssignmentsLate WorkMake-Up Exams and Assignment Extension PolicyGrade DiscussionsLaptops, Cell Phones, and Electronic DevicesHow to Reach MeOffice HoursReligious ObservanceStatement of DiversityPreferred Name/Pronoun StatementOther Campus ResourcesDATES, TOPICS, AND REQUIRED READINGS1 COMM 3376: Media Effects Spring 2022 Instructor Ginger Vaughn E-mail [email protected] Online Office Hours By appointment (please email me) Course Time Tue/Thu 8:30am-10am Course Location AH 304 Course Website Zoom and https://uh.edu/blackboard/ This syllabus is intended to give students guidance regarding the structure of this course and the material that will be covered. I will follow the syllabus as closely as possible, but also reserve the right to make changes (to readings, assignments, dates, etc.) as needed. Please note: the last three pages of the syllabus include University of Houston’s required and recommended syllabus language with important information and resource links. (*Course syllabus has been adapted with permission from previous course instructor Dr. Allison Archer.) Description and Goals of the Course This course offers an introduction to critical studies in media, focusing on their social and political effects. Students will gain an awareness on key issues related to media effects and what these effects mean in the context of our society. Please note that our primary focus will be on media effects in relation to American politics, particularly given the U.S. presidential election this fall. We’ll cover several large themes that explore media effects from various angles, including: the role of the press in a democratic society; factors that shape news coverage; how media affect our understanding of groups, issues, policies, and politics; how technological advancements affect what we learn from the news media; and campaign news coverage. By the end of this course, students will have a better grasp of these concepts and related theories, as well as improved critical thinking skills about media effects on their daily lives. Readings The readings for this course include empirical social science articles, journalistic articles, and popular readings based on social science research. There are no assigned books that you will need to purchase. Copies of all assigned readings (or links to them) are available on Blackboard and are organized by topic. Students are responsible for all reading assignments regardless of whether they are discussed in class. Class participation via appropriate input and thought- provoking questions grounded in the readings is expected. All readings should be done before the class period for which they are listed, as they serve as background for the day’s discussions, class activities, and lecture. Readings may change slightly and new readings may be assigned throughout the semester. It’s important to remember that these texts are just a starting point. My hope is that they will pique your interest so that you explore beyond what is assigned. Additional readings and viewpoints are always welcome in class discussions to help enrich all of our learning experiences.2 Course Delivery Method: Synchronous Online For the first two-weeks of class, this course will meet by Zoom due to UH policies around Covid. Links to the class are available on Blackboard. From February 2022, I hope to see you in-person in class. Class delivery may be modified due to policies around the ongoing Covid pandemic. It is imperative that you download Zoom on your computer or mobile device and that you check your UH email frequently. We will also use Blackboard frequently in this course. Given these uncertain times due to the COVID-19 pandemic, flexibility is crucial. I understand if students are sometimes unable to attend the live class, but I do ask that you watch any recorded class meetings and stay on top of the material. Course Requirements Weekly Reflection Journals: 15% In lieu of a traditional participation grade, this course will require weekly reflection journals in Blackboard that will ask students to answer questions about the content covered in a given week. The journals will be made visible on Blackboard after each Thursday class meeting starting from February with a question or series of questions. Students are encouraged to complete their journal right after Thursday’s class, but they have until the end of the weekend (Sunday at 11:59pm) to complete their entry. Examples of journal questions might include: What were the most interesting two concepts you learned in our classes this week? What was the hardest concept to learn this week and why? What is the difference between two concepts? Journal responses do not need to be expansive essays, but they should demonstrate engagement with the week’s class meetings and materials. The suggested journal response length is roughly one paragraph (approx. 4 sentences) per question. Responses will be graded on a three-point scale: check-minus, check, and check-plus. No response means a score of a zero is recorded. There will be 10 weeks total with journal entries. I will drop the lowest two grades. In other words, you will get two weeks that are a “freebie,” meaning that if you do not complete those two weeks’ journals, those grades will eventually be dropped Media Diary: 15% (2-4 double-spaced pages, plus daily diary) For one week (7 days), students will keep a detailed diary of all media they consume (newspaper, TV, radio, Netflix, movies, social media, podcasts, etc.). The media diary will need to note the content that was consumed, its source, what it was about, when it was consumed, and which sources/actors/protagonists were elevated. At the end of the week, students should write 2-4 double-spaced pages analyzing what they learned about their media consumption habits and how those habits may affect their knowledge about the world around them. In particular students should address each of the following: how often they were exposed to and consumed


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UH COMM 3376 - Syllabus

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