This course is an introduction to the most significant forms of media in modern and contemporary western societies, including print, broadcasting, sound recording, film and video, advertising, and the internet.  It is historical in scope even though it is not a chronological survey, and it considers the media as interconnected sets of technologies, industries, texts, and experiences.

The course meets twice weekly for lectures, MW from 2-2:50 in BOL 150 and once for discussion sections.  It has no textbook; reading/viewing assignments are either on electronic reserve or on the internet and linked from the syllabus. 

The requirements for the course are:

Two papers, a 3-4 pg. media company analysis worth 15% and a 4-5 pg. media and civic culture analysis worth 25%; short quizzes given in section based on reading and viewing assignments worth 10%; section participation and attendance worth 10%; a midterm exam worth 15% and a final exam worth 25% (the final exam will not be cumulative).