Sociology of Mass Media

Abstract

This class will focus on mass media representations of gender, race, class, and politics, as well as the cultural, legal, economic, and institutional factors influencing the production of media texts. We will also discuss the ways in which media audiences (not just media scholars) make sense of media texts.

Types of media to be discussed include...

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Details

Subject Area(s):

Mass Communication/Public Opinion

Resource Type(s):

Syllabus

Class Level(s):

Any Level

Class Size(s):

Any

Usage Notes

This class is an elective in Sociology, and also counts toward the major requirement in Film Studies. The class is a healthy mix of students with majors in Sociology, English, Advertising, Film Studies, Journalism, and Political Science. As a result, I try to incorporate perspectives from all of these disciplines to make it relevant and exciting to...

Learning Goals and Assessments

Learning Goal(s):

1. Goal 1:Students will become more aware of the media content that they consume.
2. Goal 2:Students will learn how to analyze representations of race, class, and gender in mass media.
3. Goal 3:Students will have a mastery of core concepts from lecture and readings.

Goal Assessment(s):

1. Assessment 1:The two online journals require students to document the types of media content that they consume and link them to the readings and lecture.
2. Assessment 2:The media analysis paper has students analyze representations of race, class, and gender in the film Million Dollar Baby (2004).
3. Assessment 3:Class discussion, an in-class multiple choice and short essay exam, and a take-home essay exam.