THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT ASHEVILLE FACULTY SENATE Senate Document Number 1293F Date of Senate Approval 12/16/93 Signature of Senate Chair ___________________________ Date _________________ Action of Vice Chancellor: Approval __________________________________ Date ____________________ Denied __________________________________ Date ____________________ Reasons for denial and suggested modifications: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Statement of Faculty Senate Action: APC Document # 13: Mass Communication Social Science General Education Proposal Effective Date: Fall, 1994 ADD to the list of social science courses on 1993-1994 catalog page 50, the following: 101 Understanding the News Media (3) 102 Media Entertainment and American Culture (3) ADD to the list of courses in Mass Communication listed in the 1993-94 catalog, page 153. 101 Understanding the News Media (3) A study of the structure and function of news media in society. Course covers the major theories of the press, the relationships between the news media and American historical developments, and mediated interpretations of contemporary issues in society. This course may be used to satisfy three hours of the general education requirement for social science. This course is offered every fall. 102 Media Entertainment and American Culture (3) An investigation of the historical development and contemporary status of entertainment media in America. Problems related to the depiction of culture and subcultures are analyzed within the framework of media access and control. The impact of entertainment media content on attitudes beliefs and values is examined in the context of specific political and social issues. This course may be used to satisfy three hours of the general education requirement for social science. This course is offered every spring. Impact Statement: 1) Internal. The addition of these courses has no impact on the major -- the courses are not required for the major and cannot be used as electives in the major (electives that count must be 300-400 level). There is no impact on the minor for the same reason. 2) External. As these courses are specified as counting toward the general education social sciefnce requirement, there is an impact in that area. We expect to offer each of the two courses once a year -- one in the fall and one in the spring, with an expected enrollment of 30-40. The impact here would be one of relieving the stress felt by the social science departments for general education offerings. 3) Resource Implications. The model for staffing a general education courses we have in mind is the SOC 240 course, rather than the PSYC 100 course. We have staffing for this from our existing faculty resources. With the changes in curriculum at North Carolina's junior colleges, we have cut back the number of sections of MCOM 269 Communication for Management, as many management students are now transferring that credit rather than taking our course. We are also considering dropping, or offering less frequently, several electives that have not proved as popular as we expected. No additional personnel resources will be needed to offer the courses as on the basis described above -- once a year each. Our proposal approved by the University Planning Council for including Mass Communication in the social science general education curriculum contains additional commentary on the question of resources. Rationale: I will not repeat here a justification for the inclusion of Mass Communication in the social science general education curriculum. I will instead refer you to our UPC proposal for that information. These two specific courses are appropriate for general education in the social sciences because: 1) Neither course is (or could be) the first course in the major. 2) Both courses feature content grounded in social science theory and research. Both courses explicate social science theory and methodology at an introductory level. Course projects will engage students in elementary survey research, participant-observation and content analysis. Other methodologies, such as experimental design, will be covered in course lectures on particular content areas such as media violence in MCOM 102 or gatekeeping in MCOM 101. 3) Each of the courses traces the historical dimension of its topic using a foundation of findings from the social sciences. This is apparent in the attached course outlines. 4) Both courses are interdisciplinary, calling upon knowledge from all the social sciences and reinforcing the connections that link these various disciplines. Again, this is apparent in the attached course outline. SYLLABUS MCOM 101: UNDERSTANDING THE NEWS MEDIA CATALOG DESCRIPTION: A study of the structure and function of news media in society. Course covers the major theories of the press, the relationships between the news media and American historical developments, and mediated interpretations of contemporary issues in society. This course may be used to satisfy three hours of the general education requirement for social science. This course is offered every fall. COURSE OBJECTIVES: 1) To introduce students to the general body of social science research findings regarding news media in American society. 2) To provide students with an understanding of the ways news media have influenced the development of American society. 3) To assist students in understanding the functions served by news media and the effects news media have on individuals, as well as social and cultural institutions. REQUIRED TEXT: Dominick, Joseph R. The Dynamics of Mass Communication, 4th Ed. Random House, (1993). GRADING: Three unit examinations and one comprehensive final examination counting 20% each. Three project reports -- one with each unit, counting 5% each. Participation 5%. PROJECTS: Reports of your news media research in the neighborhood of 5 pages each will be detailed on separate handouts. ATTENDANCE: After two absences, each absence will reduce your final grade by half a grade level. Save your cuts for sick days. Course Outline: Understanding the news media Part One: Theories of the Press Week 1: The process of mass communication. Week 2: The gatekeeper and media control. Week 3: News and the mediation of social and political reality. 1st project assignment. Week 4: The surveillance function of news media. Week 5: The agenda setting function of the press. Week 6: Review & Exam Over Part One. Part Two: News Media and American historical development. Week 7: The role of news media in American social and political development, 1835 - 1920. Week 8: The role of news media in American social and political development, 1920 - present. Week 9: Case Study - News media and the courts. 2nd project assignment. Week 10: Case Study - News media and the rights of citizens. Week 11: Review & exam over Part 2. Part Three: Contemporary issues and the news. Week 12: News coverage of political campaigns. Week 13: News coverage and the environment. 3rd project assignment. Week 14: Local news values vs. national news values. Week 15: International news media and the global village. Week 16: Catch-up and review. Final Examination period: 1st hour - exam over Part Three. 30 minute break. 2nd Hour - comprehensive exam SYLLABUS MCOM 102: MEDIA ENTERTAINMENT AND AMERICAN CULTURE CATALOG DESCRIPTION: An investigation of the historical development and contemporary status of entertainment media in America. Problems related to the depiction of culture and subcultures are analyzed within the framework of media access and control. The impact of entertainment media content on attitudes beliefs and values is examined in the context of specific political and social issues. This course may be used to satisfy three hours of the general education requirement for social science. This course is offered every spring. COURSE OBJECTIVES: 1) To introduce students to the general body of social science research findings regarding the impact and functions of entertainment media. 2) To provide students with an understanding of the ways entertainment media content has both influenced and reflected the historical development of American society. 3) To identify the ways entertainment media address contemporary social and political issues. REQUIRED TEXT: Wilson, Stan; Mass Media/Mass Culture, McGraw-Hill, 1993. GRADING: Three unit examinations and one comprehensive final examination counting 20% each. Three project reports -- one with each unit, counting 5% each. Participation 5%. PROJECTS: Reports of your entertainment media research in the neighborhood of 5 pages each will be detailed on separate handouts. ATTENDANCE: After two absences, each absence will reduce your final grade by half a grade level. Save your cuts for sick days. Course Outline: Media Entertainment and American Culture Part One : Orwell and Huxley - the power of entertainment media Week 1: The process of mass communication. Week 2: The escape and cathartic functions of media. 1st project assignment. Week 3: Who owns American entertainment? Week 4: Advertising goals of entertainment media. Week 5: Uses of ratings research in entertainment media. Week 6: Review & Exam Over Part One. Part Two: The Influence of Entertainment Media on American historical development. Week 7: American Cinema -- popular heroes and popular culture. Week 8: Radio and recording -- Soap operas, rock operas and rap operas. 2nd project assignment. Week 9: Television, utopia and dystopia. Week 10: Infotainment and myth making. Week 11: Review & exam over Part 2. Part Three: Entertainment media issues. Week 12: Media, sex, violence and censorship. Week 13: Depictions of race and class in entertainment media. 3rd project assignment. Week 14: Depictions of gender and crime in entertainment media. Week 15: American media and cultural imperialism Week 16: Catch-up and review. Final Examination period: 1st hour - exam over Part Three. 30 minute break. 2nd Hour - comprehensive exam