PSYC 399 Outline 2014/15 Fall

COURSE NUMBER:

PSYC 399

COURSE TITLE:

Special Topics in Communication Arts - 2014/15 Fall - Media Effects

NAME OF INSTRUCTOR:

Josh Noble

CREDIT WEIGHT AND WEEKLY TIME DISTRIBUTION:

credits 3(hrs lect 3 - hrs sem 0 - hrs lab 0)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

A course on a topic of figure of special interest to a member of the communication arts faculty and offered on a non-recurring basis.

Prerequisites: PSYC 250 or 251

2014/15 Spring

This course explores media as a ubiquitous, systemic feature of human relationship and society that in turn affect the users in a variety of manifest and latent ways. Working from this starting point, the course explores the various models of media effects, the various areas of effect, seeks to problematize pervasive media that characterizes communication in contemporary life, and questions the role in media in the development of culture and society historically.

Same as CMNA 399

REQUIRED TEXTS:

James Potter: Media Effects. SAGE, 2013.

MARK DISTRIBUTION IN PERCENT:

Participation in Class	5%
Short Paper	10%
Midterm	20%
Reading Quizzes	20%
Major Paper	20%
Final Examination	25%

	100%

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

To become acquainted with the field of Media Studies;
To learn about the effects of mediated communication on the individual in society;
To see the self/psyche as always connected to others through media;
To uncover the form of media as impactful;
To consider a Christian philosophy of media.

COURSE OUTLINE:

Tuesday, Sep 2: Introduction – What is media? What is an effect?
Tuesday, Sep 9: Chapter 1-2 (Media Effects)
Tuesday, Sep 16: Chapter 3-4 (ME)
Tuesday, Sep 23: Chapter 5-6 (ME)
Tuesday, Sep 30: Chapter 7-8 (ME)
Tuesday, Oct 7: Chapter 9-10 (ME)
Tuesday, Oct 14: Chapter 11-12 (ME)
Tuesday, Oct 21: Chapter 13-14 (ME)
Tuesday, Oct 28: Chapter 15-16 (ME) & Review of concept and themes (ME)
Tuesday, Nov 4: Mid-term
Tuesday, Nov 11: No Classes – Remembrance Day
Tuesday, Nov 18: Original Ideas: Lewis Mumford (Selected writings)
Tuesday, Nov 25: Original Ideas: Marshall McLuhan (Selected writings)
Tuesday, Dec 2: Original Ideas: Martin Heidegger (Selected writings)
Tuesday, Dec 9: Original Ideas: Andrew Feenberg (Selected writings)

Required texts, assignments, and grade distributions may vary from one offering of this course to the next. Please consult the course instructor for up to date details.