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General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
F/TVD010H
Course Title (CB02)
Introduction to Electronic Media - HONORS
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Course Description
This course surveys the history, aesthetics, technology, and social impacts of electronic media, including film, broadcasting and the Internet. Students will explore the role of government, advertising, audiences, and emerging technologies, their futures and impacts on global societies. Because this is an honors course, the students will be expected to complete extra assignments to gain deeper insight into the mass media.
Faculty Requirements
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This course is a UC and CSU transferable undergraduate course. This course is °®¶¹´«Ã½ GE, CSU GE, and IGETC and belongs on the Film/TV: Production program. The student learns the history and politics of media ownership, the practice of covert and overt stereotyping in scripting and casting, the social impacts of depiction and invisibility in media, the changing roles of women, and the technological impacts of media. This course is the honors version of F/TV D010. and as a result includes more advanced assignments and assessments.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to both UC and CSU
°®¶¹´«Ã½ GEArea(s)StatusDetails
2GDX°®¶¹´«Ã½ GE Area D - Social and Behavioral SciencesApproved
CSU GEArea(s)StatusDetails
CGDYCSU GE Area D - Social SciencesApproved
IGETCArea(s)StatusDetails
IG4XIGETC Area 4 - Social and Behavioral SciencesApproved

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
4.0
Maximum Credit Units
4.0

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours4.08.0
Laboratory Hours0.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
48.0
Laboratory
0.0
Total
48.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
96.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
96.0

Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

EWRT D001A or EWRT D01AH or ESL D005.

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

  • (Not open to students with credit in the non-Honors related course.)
  • (Admission into this course requires consent of the Honors Program Coordinator.)

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

(See general education pages for the requirements this course meets.)

Methods of Instruction

Lecture and visual aids

Discussion of assigned reading

Discussion and problem solving performed in class

In-class essays

In-class exploration of Internet sites

Quiz and examination review performed in class

Homework and extended projects

Guest speakers

Collaborative learning and small group exercises

Assignments

  1. Reading
    1. Assigned readings from an introductory media and society text or a similar package of print or electronic media.
    2. Supplemental readings from online and print daily news reports
  2. Verbal
    1. Individual, small group or class activities which guide students' problem solving abilities in the context of media issues and serves as a forum for examining and synthesizing information.
    2. Presentations by students of independent research and/or readings
  3. Written
    1. Guided research paper demonstrating research, critical thinking and understanding of issues in electronic communications concepts. Uses library and online research tools to explore one of several topics offered. Requires independent thought, analysis and conclusions based on theories, classroom and individual research, notebook entries and videos seen in class.
    2. Weekly written analysis assignments that require students to critically analyze in-class screenings, textbook and lecture topics, and controversial issues in the media.
  4. The honors assignment will consist of either a more substantial research paper (12-15 pages) that further investigates a topic of interest or an individual in-class presentation of research done for the final paper. Both of these assignments will require further reading, research, and depth of analysis beyond the standard assignment parameters. Note: The honors project will require 10 or more hours of work beyond the regular (non-honors) course requirements, and will include higher expectations for achievement in this more advanced work.

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Quizzes based on assigned readings and lecture topics, midterm covering theories, videos, in class discussions and research by students, final exam demonstrating critical thinking and analysis of concepts and issues explored in the course
  2. Participation in group presentation covering current media controversies and topics evaluated for depth of analysis and effectiveness of communication
  3. Evaluation of five-page research paper and weekly written media assignments demonstrating theories and analysis of contemporary communications issues
  4. The honors research project will be evaluated for the depth of analysis, critical thinking skills, a comprehensive discussion of the research topic, and the quality of the sources selected.

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • None.
Essential College Facilities:
  • None.

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Campbell, Richard, Bettina Fabos, and Christopher Martin. "Media & Culture: Mass Communication in a Digital Age," 12th ed. Bedford/St. Martin's, 2019.
Dominick, Joseph, Fritz Messere, and Barry Sherman. "Broadcasting, Cable, The Internet, and Beyond: An Introduction to Modern Electronic Media." 7th ed., New York: McGraw Hill, 2012.

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisher
Alexander, Alison, and Jarice Hanson. "Taking Sides: Clashing Views in Mass Media and Society." 15th ed. McGraw Hill Education, 2018.
Bagdikian, Ben. "The New Media Monopoly." 20th ed. Boston: Beacon Press, 2004.
Barnouw, Erik. "A Tower in Babel: A History of Broadcasting in the United States to 1933, Vol. 1." New York: Oxford University Press, 1966.
Barnouw, Erik. "The Golden Web: A History of Broadcasting in the United States 1933-1953, Vol. 2." Oxford University Press, 1968.
Barnouw, Erik. "The Image Empire: A History of Broadcasting in the United States from 1953, Vol. 3." Oxford University Press, 1970.
Berger, Arthur. "Media Analysis Techniques." 6th ed. SAGE Publications, 2018.
Bernays, Edward. "Crystallizing Public Opinion." Digireads.com Publishing, 2019.
Bernays, Edward. "Propaganda." Desert, 2018.
Boorstin, Daniel J. "The Image: A Guide to Pseudo-Events in America." Vintage Books, 1992.
Chomsky, Noam. "Understanding Power: The Indispensible Chomsky." 9th ed. New York: New Press, 2002.
Chomsky, Noam, and Edward S. Herman. "Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media." Vintage Books, 1998.
Dennis, Everette E., and Melvin L. DeFleur. "Understanding Media in the Digital Age." Pearson, 2009.
Dines, Gail, et al., eds. "Gender, Race, and Class in Media: A Critical Reader." 5th ed. SAGE Publications, 2017.
Hanson, Ralph E. "Mass Communication: Living in a Media World." 7th ed. SAGE Publications, 2018.
Hilmes, Michele. "Only Connect: A Cultural History of Broadcasting in the United States." 4th ed. Cengage Learning, 2013.
Holiday, Ryan. "Trust Me, I'm Lying: Confessions of a Media Manipulator." New York: Penguin, 2013.
Mander, Jerry. "Four Arguments for the Elimination of Television." New York: HarperCollins, 1977.
McChesney, Robert W. "Rich Media, Poor Democracy: Communication Politics in Dubious Times." The New Press, 2016.
McChesney, Robert W. "Telecommunications, Mass Media, and Democracy." Oxford University Press, 1993.
McGonigal, Jane. "Reality Is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World." New York: Penguin, 2011.
McLuhan, Marshall, and Lewis H. Lapham. "Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man." Reprint ed. The MIT Press, 1994.
Pariser, Eli. "The Filter Bubble: How the New Personalized Web is Changing What We Read and How We Think." Penguin, 2011.
Pavlik, John V., and Shawn McIntosh. "Converging Media: A New Introduction to Mass Communication." 6th ed. Oxford University Press, 2018.
Postman, Neil, and Andrew Postman. "Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business." Anniversary ed. Penguin Books, 2005.
Treadwell, Donald. "Introducing Communication Research: Paths of Inquiry." 3rd ed. SAGE Publications, 2016.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Analyze the electronic media's evolution as a social, economic, political, and technological force in U.S. culture beginning with an understanding of a basic model of communication.
  • Describe the technical evolution of broadcasting and electronic media distribution and define commonly used electronic communication terminology.
  • Identify key developments in the history of major U.S. electronic media industries and assess the business structure and revenue streams for each separate medium.
  • Evaluate broadcasting and informational technologies as industrial, economic, and social institutions with attention to the principle means of economic support and audiences for different electronic media.
  • Analyze and evaluate radio and television programming in technical, aesthetic, and ethical terms within America and across other cultures.
  • Evaluate the possible effects of media violence, gender role and race depictions, on children, US minorities, and other cultures.
  • Analyze the regulation of media and the relationships among broadcasting, culture, and government in America and worldwide.
  • Assess the future of electronic media
  • Analyze critically a topic of interest to demonstrate a deeper understanding of how ownership and propaganda forces in the mass media shape our public narrative.

CSLOs

  • Students will be able to select, analyze and evaluate competing information to synthesize a personal philosophy of media.

  • Students will be able to synthesize course concepts into a term paper selected from several topic options.

  • Students will be able to hypothesize the future of media in the United States.

Outline

  1. Analyze the electronic media's evolution as a social, economic, political, and technological force in U.S. culture beginning with an understanding of a basic model of communication.
    1. Communications definitions
      1. Intrapersonal communication
      2. Interpersonal communication
      3. Mass communication, mass media, and culture
    2. Telecommunication as a regulated medium
      1. The evolution from print, magazines, and newspapers
      2. Converging forms and "new media"
    3. Communication models
      1. Propaganda model and society
      2. Mass communication roles in society, including gatekeeping, agenda setting, and transmitting values, beliefs and codes of behavior.
    4. Communication theories, including 2-step, social learning, dependency, cultivation and spiral of silence.
  2. Describe the technical evolution of broadcasting and electronic media distribution and define commonly used electronic communication terminology.
    1. Physical
      1. The electromagnetic spectrum
      2. Radio waves - modulation, propagation, reception, networks, and fiber optics
    2. Technological
      1. The limited spectrum and access
      2. Radio stations - AM, FM, Short Wave
      3. Television - technology, transmission, reception, HDTV, convergence
      4. Delivery, distribution and storage of programming, information and networks
      5. Internet, HDTV and converging technologies.
      6. 5G and IOT
  3. Identify key developments in the history of major U.S. electronic media industries and assess the business structure and revenue streams for each separate medium.
    1. Radio
      1. Early wireless services
      2. Evolution of national broadcasting and networks
      3. Government regulation of radio
      4. Development of radio programming
    2. Television
      1. Arrival of television
      2. The development of television networks
      3. The rise of cable and pay TV
      4. Public broadcasting
      5. Home video and beyond
      6. High definition television
      7. A la carte television and digital distribution
    3. Internet and computing networking
      1. History and development
      2. Social networking
      3. Web 2.0
      4. Privacy and surveillance
      5. Freedom of information and net neutrality
  4. Evaluate broadcasting and informational technologies as industrial, economic, and social institutions with attention to the principle means of economic support and audiences for different electronic media.
    1. Industrial institutions
      1. Employment
      2. Products produced
      3. Distribution
    2. Economic institutions
      1. Consolidation
      2. Big business and media
      3. Ownership and its influence on content
      4. Propaganda model and the filters on content
    3. Social institutions
      1. Communications theories
        1. Two-step
        2. Social learning
        3. Dependency
        4. Cultivation
        5. Spiral of silence
      2. Impacts of media on societies
        1. 1st amendment issues
        2. Gender depictions
        3. Racism in the media
        4. Cultural imperialism
        5. Stereotyping dangers
        6. Cybercrime
        7. Covert advertising and public relations
        8. Violence
        9. Pornography
        10. Children and the media
        11. LGBQT issues in the media
        12. Censorship
        13. Hyperconsumerism and excessive advertising
        14. Media and the electoral process
        15. Privacy and identity theft
        16. Online and "citizen" journalism
  5. Analyze and evaluate radio and television programming in technical, aesthetic, and ethical terms within America and across other cultures.
    1. Technical
      1. Standard broadcast vs HDTV
      2. International standards
      3. Global convergence
    2. Aesthetics, storytelling, character development
      1. Media as a mirror to society or as a reflection of it
      2. Societal constraints on content, US and globally
    3. Ethics and programming decisions
      1. Vertical integration of media
      2. Censorship and the FCC
      3. Contrasting values in other cultures
  6. Evaluate the possible effects of media violence, gender role and race depictions, on children, US minorities, and other cultures.
    1. Communication research theories such as the hypodermic needle model, direct effects model, and selective exposure
    2. Violence in media: studies and conclusions
    3. Race depictions in US media and impacts worldwide
    4. Media impacts on children
  7. Analyze the regulation of media and the relationships among broadcasting, culture, and government in America and worldwide.
    1. Regulatory agencies
    2. The Telecommunications Act of 1996
      1. Copyright and treaties
      2. Congressional regulatory power
    3. The Federal Communication Commission - FCC
    4. The Federal Trade Commission - FTC
    5. Freedom and fairness
    6. Censorship in history and in current practice
    7. Content control and its application
    8. Acceptability as a political and pressure-sensitive variable
    9. Flak, the organized disciplining of the media
    10. Lobbying and public relations and how they affect media
  8. Assess the future of electronic media
    1. Technology and telecommunications in a global society
    2. The mass and narrowcast audience
    3. Economics of electronic media
    4. International standards
    5. Regulation
      1. National
      2. International
  9. Analyze critically a topic of interest to demonstrate a deeper understanding of how ownership and propaganda forces in the mass media shape our public narrative.
    1. Typical topics may include any of the following:
      1. Media coverage of recent mass shootings and the ensuing public gun control debate
      2. Political polarization in the United States and how the media contributes and profits
      3. Issues of representation in film, television, and video games both in who is depicted and who is largely creating the content
      4. The development of citizen journalism on the Internet and how it intersects with the culture of online outrage and persecution
    2. Investigate the topic through use of analytical media studies research methods such as longitudinal surveys, consumption data, scientific studies, and more.
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