MEA 100 - Mass Media & Society - Jean Miller
| Course: | Mass Media & Society |
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| Professor: | Jean Miller |
| Email: | Jean.Miller@canyons.edu |
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Introduction
A Note from your Instructor
Hello Students!
Welcome! Before we begin, I wanted to share with you a little about myself and why I am teaching this course. I have been an Adjunct Instructor at College of the Canyons in the Media Entertainment Arts Department since 2005. I earned my Bachelor and Masters degrees from Florida State University with studies in broadcasting, social science, history and acting. Since the age of three, I have had the privilege of working in the performing arts, and am eternally grateful to have worked with scores of talented and inspiring artists, educators and media professionals from coast to coast who supported my journey to become a multi award winning actress, a National and Emmy Award winning broadcast TV host / producer, a multiple television series regular, writer, reporter, filmmaker, and commercial and voiceover artist. I have served on both the SAG Awards Motion Picture and Television Nominating Committees. I am an ongoing member of COC Media Arts Advisory Committee, and still working professionally in the industry as a member of SAG-AFTRA and Actors Equity Association professional unions.
I love teaching MEA 100 about this rich and dynamic field, and I love sharing and supporting your aspirations with what I’ve learned in the media through the years. Best of all, it’s great to learn and be inspired each and every semester by students just like you! I look forward to meeting you in class and embarking on a great journey through our Mass Media & Society course together!
Introduction
Welcome to Mass Media and Society MEA-100 Online section. This orientation letter is provided to give you a sense of the purpose, workload, and learning goals for the course. Because the course is being taught in a remote/online learning environment, we will not meet on-campus for the duration of the semester. All assignments, tests, quizzes, and discussion boards will be conducted online. No proctored tests. There will be an official schedule published on the 1st day, and you will access this from the online course management system, called Canvas, access to which is included with your paid registration.
Course Description
Mass Media & Society surveys and evaluates the mass media. We analyze, compare, and discuss concepts related to mass media and their effect on society, using media from the Internet, newspapers, magazines, radio, sound recordings, television, motion pictures, advertising and public relations. We also look at some of the rules and laws that impact the media.This course of study requires the reading of various materials (both online and via a course textbook), viewing of online websites and news media, and your participation in online research and discussion with classmates. By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the relationship between media and society, and how it affects form and content in mass communication.
Course Student Learning Outcome Objective: Analyze the relationship between media and society, and how it affects form and content in mass communication.
Upon satisfactory completion, you will have a basic understanding of:
- The fundamental model of communication, and how it defines mass communication
- The key historical and technical developments in mass communication
- How new media technologies and trends redefine “audience”
- The different economic structures of mass media
- How mass media impacts social, political, cultural and economic forces in the United States and abroad
- How specific media industries influence mass media content and meaning
- Ways in which various news media cover the same event or story
- How and why mass media is regulated
- Some of the legal responsibilities of the mass media and issues regarding individual consumers’ rights
- How globalization and corporatization of public communication affect consumers
An important goal of this course is to help the student become more "media literate", meaning the development of critical thinking tools: description, analysis, interpretation, evaluation and engagement that enable the student to become more engaged as a citizen and more discerning as a consumer of mass media products.
THROUGH INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS, AND A CONSISTENT AND MODERATED LEARNING ENVIRONMENT, IT IS MY HOPE THAT YOU WILL DEVELOP THE SELF VIRTUES OF ACCOUNTABILITY, COMMITMENT, AND DISCIPLINE THAT ARE CORE VALUES AND ESSENTIAL TO YOUR SUCCESS.
What to Expect in this Course
Work Load
Workload for online classes: Because we don’t meet on-campus, there are some assignments and activities that require online research. On average, students will spend between 90-130 hours of study for this course over the full-length semester. If at any point in the session you have difficulty keeping up with course content/assignments, please do not hesitate to contact me; I will also make an effort to check in regularly with you via inbox email on Canvas.
The course is arranged in a module orientation and involves assigned reading of a chapter each week from the official course textbook, convenient chapter summaries provided by the instructor, viewing articles and video clips from websites, and various news and other audio/visual media presented online. When we do our coursework, there will be assignments, discussions, short weekly quizzes and tests to do according to a prescribed schedule. There will be opportunities each class period for participation points in discussions and Q & A of current media events and course material. There will be two critical thinking research projects with essays to submit to the instructor online and share with classmates on the discussion board for comment and reply. There will be many opportunities to earn extra credit reviewing films, TV shows and other media material and writing about their relevance to course material.
Required Technology
All course materials for this course are delivered online; your computer and Internet connection should be outfitted for basic online communication
You will need regular access to a reliable computer with stable, high-speed internet connection.
- A Mac OS, PC/Windows OS (Windows XP or higher), or Lin
- Microsoft Word. You can download the Microsoft Office Suite for FREE as part of your school My Canyons account (my.canyons.edu)
- Access to Netflix, or similar oline streaming service and YouTube
- ux OS-based computer;
- An Internet connection (broadband speed recommended for video and chat features);
- A current web browser (Google Chrome recommended, however, Firefox, Safari, IE 9, should work as well);
- QuickTime player software for viewing video materials (free player, available through Apple’s website at: https://support.apple.com/kb/DL837
- Adobe Reader software installed, (this is pdf file viewer to read online articles, available for free from Adobe at: http://get.adobe.com/reader/
- There will additional software used for scheduled online ZOOM meetings (these are synchronous ‘real-time’ meetings held online, on dates listed below); the CCC Confer web conferencing software will be used for real-time communication via web conferences (see below).
- CCC Confer (Zoom) can be accessed here (software/system is free of charge): http://www.cccconfer.org.
- Circumstances may arise which require modifications of the above guidelines and the following schedule of assignments for the course, as deemed necessary by The instructor reserves the right to make necessary changes, in compliance with COC academic policies
Log-in to canvas at coc.instructure.com on the first day of the course.
- For any Canvas related issues please call Canvas Student Support:
(661) 362-3344 during college business hours or (877) 889-9052 for 24/7 support.
Types of Assessments
- Weekly participation through brief written reports of current events on media topics
- Weekly extra credit video assignments with brief questions on video content by textbook chapter
- Weekly 5 question review quizzes on each textbook chapter/chapter summary
- Five module tests, 50 questions each on each of the five course modules - usually covering 3-4 chapters each of the textbook.
- Various discussion boards, and reply post assignments.
- 2 critical thinking research assignments on media topics with essays.
- No midterm; no final exam
- Lots of extra credit opportunities: Film and TV shows, Internet videos, reports relating to media topics.
Textbook Information
Textbook Information / Link to ZTC Textbook
IMPORTANT: IN ORDER TO PROCEED WITH THE COURSE, you will be required to either rent or purchase the course textbook, PLUS a supplementary digital media tool called Achieve. Together, the text and Achieve will contain all the reading, viewing, and critical thinking activities in the course.
The following are required learning materials for this course. You need to obtain BOTH the e-Textbook, AND the Achieve supplement access code to access video assignments
Campbell, Richard. Media & Culture: Mass Communication in a Digital Age, 13th Edition.
MacMillan. 2022
NOTE: Whether you choose to rent or purchase the text, you must select the correct bundle, which includes the text PLUS the supplemental Achieve courseware for the 13th Edition only (12th edition is no longer used).
Choose from the two options below:
Option 1. Obtain all-Digital materials from either our publisher direct, or through our campus bookstore
Most Popular option: rent both the eText (digital only, no print), PLUS Achieve supplemental courseware Access code for one term: $91.43.
Publisher’s direct link (publisher’s student store):
Make sure to match the ISBN before confirming your selection
Option 2. Obtain Printed materials, or eText, AND Achieve supplemental materials access code from either our publisher direct, or through our campus bookstore
Rent or Purchase both the looseleaf printed textbook, PLUS Achieve supplemental courseware access code $112.86
ISBN:9781319529307
Other Relevant Course Information
General Information
Class login and timely completion of assignments, quizzes, tests and discussion boards are important for grading and your overall college experience. Communication is key for success in this class. Students will be expected to regularly check their Canvas inbox for email from the instructor and the Announcements on Canvas for important class assignments, updates and events. Any questions, issues or concerns or class absences should be addressed in an email sent to the inbox of the instructor on Canvas. Replies should be expected usually within 24 hours. Additional details will be available in the course syllabus available on the first day of class along with a semester class schedule.
It is very important to get acquainted with the Canvas LMS. Learn to navigate the course on Canvas through Announcements, Modules, Assignments, Quizzes, Discussion Boards and McMillan (A connection to the Achieve materials)
FYI: A Canvas smartphone app is available to download (Canvas by Instructure).
IMPORTANT:
MANDATORY ATTENDANCE DURING THE FIRST 72 HOURS OF THE COURSE:
When the course becomes available, you need to begin accessing and completing the coursework online from the first day of the session/semester. In order to be counted as “present” and attending the course, the college requires that you login the first day of instruction, and begin to complete coursework at that time. IMPORTANT: If you do not login and complete the first assignments by the third day of the session you will be dropped from the course (aka “No Show” Drop).
Additional Resources
Canvas
This course can be accessed on the first day of class via Canvas at https://coc.instructure.com. Log into Canvas using your CanyonsID single sign-on:
- CanyonsID Username is your COC student email address (Ex: username@my.canyons.edu)
- CanyonsID Password is your COC student email password
Please visit the Get to Know Your Online Classroom page for help logging into Canvas and for tips on using Canvas and Zoom. Canvas Chat Support is also available 24/7 for any Canvas related issues.
Online Education
Check out the Online Education website for more information on a variety of topics that can help you be a successful online student such as: exam proctoring, learning styles, computer skills, and tips for student success. If this is your first online course, feel free to take our online learning readiness assessment to assess your skills.
The Learning Center (TLC)
The TLC provides FREE online tutoring resources to COC students!
Academic Accommodation Center (AAC)
College of the Canyons AAC provides educational services and access for eligible students with documented disabilities who intend to pursue coursework at COC. A variety of programs and services are available which afford eligible students with disabilities the opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of the college programs and activities through appropriate and reasonable accommodations. For more information on their services visit the Academic Accomodation Center website.
Online Counseling
The Counseling Department offers appointments online. You can schedule an appointment by visiting the Online Counseling website. Counselors can help you map out a plan to reach your educational goals as well as advise you on course selection and registration.
Management of Stress and Mental Health
Often the pressure on our students is very strong, involving academic commitments, relationships, outside jobs and family pressure to name a few. The staff and faculty of College of the Canyons are here to see you succeed academically and care about your emotional and physical health. You can learn more about the broad range of confidential student services, including counseling and mental health services available on campus by visiting the Student Health & Wellness Center in the Student Services Building (across from the bookstore). The phone number is 661-362-3259 that you can call 24/7. You can also e mail for an appointment at StudentHealthCenter@canyons.edu. At the Canyon Country Campus the Health Center will be in the new Student Services Building.
Also, the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number is now 988. All students at COC are encouraged to enter that phone number in their cells. You can call it when you, or someone you know, is having thoughts of suicide or is in severe distress.
You can also now use the Crisis Text Line: Just text "Courage" to 741741. Someone will get back to you immediately. Its free, 24/7, and confidential.
Veterans Resource Center
The College of the Canyons Veterans Resource Center is a department within the Student Services Division at the college, created to help veterans and veteran dependents with applying to College of the Canyons, enrolling in classes, and requesting VA Education or Vocational Benefits. For more information please visit the Veterans Resource Center website, email veterans@canyons.edu or phone (661) 362-3469.
Library
The Library provides live online and in-person research help, access to a full range of e-resources and physical materials that support the curriculum, individual and group study areas, and much more!
Last updated: 02/02/2024 Sub#: 327