soc225 Syllabus

SOC 225 --MEDIA AND SOCIETY

Section 1801  Fall 2025

OFFICE: West Charleston K225

PHONE: 651- 5879

OFFICE HOURS:  W 2:15-3:15pm, M Th 9-11:00 Virtual Office Hrs (email only) 

This course uses Canvas :  https://csn.instructure.com/login

Last updated  Aug 17, 2024 - Course requirements may change. Students are responsible to make sure they are reading the most updated syllabus.

TEXTS: 

PLUS:

  Various Web Reserve Articles: https://sites.google.com/site/soc225webreserves/

Course Description:

An investigation into the ways in which media affects contemporary  society and culture.

Course Objectives:

By the end of this course, a student should:

1. Differentiate between individual and mass communications, and describe the societal prerequisites for the development of mass media.

2. Explain the role of the media in the formation of public opinion.

3. Identify the functions of mass media including agenda setting, as well as any dysfunctions.

4. Evaluate ethical and legal issues in the media business.

5. Compare theories of the effects of media on children and adults.

6. Describe the role of the media in the production of global culture.

7. Identify emerging issues related to the Internet and social media.

Teaching Philosophy: My Philosophy is to try to make the course content as interesting as possible but understanding that the burden is on the student to motivate themselves to learn. Online classes especially require self discipline on the part of the students. I will try to grade assignments within 5 days if possible.

NOTE: There is a MANDATORY Syllabus quiz the first week of class. If you do not take it, you will be DROPPED.

Good Luck this semester,

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CLASS SCHEDULE:  (Warning:  Syllabus may be modified at instructors discretion. It is your responsibility to stay up to date..)  Please let me know if links are outdated.

Week beginning Sunday: (Each week's quizzes open Sun 9am - Sat 11pm) [note: Canvas maintenance usually occurs Sat 12:01-5am]: 

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Part One : Media and the Message 

- JAN 21 (Tuesday) TOPIC: Introduction --  Mass Media and Public Opinion --  

READINGS: ME ch 1,  FF Introduction  INTERNET: Web Reserve part#1  [QUIZ 1] & [SYLLABUS QUIZ]

TOPIC -Public Opinion  READINGS: FF ch 1-2   INTERNET: ,  Gallup Polls http://www.gallup.com/ on how does polling work? Also view at least 2 polls .   Webreserve #1A                                

- JAN 26  - TOPIC: TV Culture: The lost promise  -- READING : ME ch 8,  FF ch 3.    INTERNET: http://www.cbs.com/ ,  What message does this site emphasize? Web Reserve Part #2  [QUIZ 2]  .

  TOPIC: - Newspapers & the Rise of Journalism  READINGS: ME ch 3,   FF ch 4..  --  INTERNET:http://www.onlinenewspapers.com    [QUIZ 3].

  -  FEB 2 - TOPIC: Journalistic Culture  READINGS: FF ch 5 ,  ME: Supplemental Chapter: NOTE: External Link  INTERNET:  Web Reserve Part #3   ;  [QUIZ 4].   - TOPIC: -Freedom of the Press and public responsibility.   READINGS: MC ch 16, FF ch 7 , INTERNET: Web Reserve Part #3A.  [QUIZ #5]

  - FEB 9 - TOPIC:-  Effects of  Media  - READINGS:: FF ch 6 , ME ch 15. INTERNoET: http://www.eco-action.org/dt/elimtv.html  [QUIZ #6]   Web Reserve Packet #4.  --PART TWO -- THE BUSINESS OF MEDIA - - -

  E-ASSIGN. #1 TOPIC: Global Media Economics  READINGS: ME ch 14,  FF  ch 10.  INTERNET:   WebReserve #5  [QUIZ #7]

FEB 16 - TOPIC: Advertising   READINGS: ME ch 11, FFch 8.  INTERNET: http://tinyurl.com/dv6c3, http://www.bbdo.com/  WebReserves Part #6 [QUIZ #8] -

TOPIC:  Public Relations  - READINGS: ME ch 12, FF  ch 9.  INTERNET:   http://www.ratical.org/ratville/PRnation.html   [QUIZ #9]    

- FEB 23 - TOPIC: Popular music and Radio   READINGS: ME ch 5 -6,   FF Conclusion   INTERNET: You search!!!    [QUIZ 10] (One quiz for both chapters)   - TOPIC: Movies .  READINGS: ME ch 7, FF - Afterword .   INTERNET:  WebReserves Part #7  [QUIZ  11]

  - MAR 2 -TOPIC Books and Magazines  READINGS: ME 2 & 4  [QUIZ 12]  E-ASSIGN. #2

 - MAR 9 - TOPIC: The INTERNET and the future of Communications:  [QUIZ 13]  READINGS: MC ch 9,  199-210. INTERNET:http://www.wired.com/ 

** EXTRA CREDIT DUE -  MAR 11 11:59PM.

   FINALS:  MAR 14-15  NOTE: THESE TWO DAYS ONLY

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WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS: 

Each week:  

[1] read the assigned READINGS  in the various books for that week 

[2]  Watch the course videos,.

Written assignments will be posted there at least seven (7) days before they are due. All important announcements will be placed on the bulletin board. The student is responsible for keeping up with any possible  changes that are announced.  

TESTING:

All tests will be done on-line. They may be done in the lab or at home. Quizzes must be completed weekly by SAT Night at 11pm. They will become available each week on Sunday morning.

All tests and quizzes will be open book and open note, BUT don't be fooled - that doesn't mean they will be easy. The first  4 quizzes  may be taken 2 times. All other tests will be taken once. Your lowest THREE scores will be dropped.

The final exam will be in three parts and cover PowerPoint lectures, webreserves, and textbook.

Tests will be accessed via our website: https://csn.instructure.com/login Your login name will be your NSHE#, and your password will be the mmyy of your birthdate.  There is a comprehensive final, given in 3 segments .

PAPERS (E-assignments):

Assignments will be submitted by Canvas (online) DROPBOX only.  Do NOT submit them as attachments, instead cut and paste them into the dropbox window.  If formatting is lost, please add paragraphs manually. Papers not submitted by the due date/time will be marked off 50% for the first 24 hours late,  75%  or more later.  Be thorough answering the questions, using the texts, web reserves, assigned links and other internet resources. Follow the assigned format as closely as possible.

 GRADING:

2 papers 11:59pm assigned dates - 30 points

14 quizzes - Weekly Sat 11pm - 105 points

Final Exam - 30 points

TOTAL - 165 points