ENG 115W - Survey of Mass Media

Credits: 3
Instructional Contact Hours: 3

This course surveys books, newspapers, magazines, recordings, film, radio, television, advertising, public relations, video games, the internet, social media, and digital media. Covers history, ethics, operations, products, economics, technology, current issues, criticisms, select research findings, and societal and personal impacts of each. Credit may be earned in only one of the following: JRN 101, JRN 101W, ENG 115 or ENG 115W.

Prerequisite(s): None
Corequisite(s): None
Lecture Hours: 45
Meets MTA Requirement: None
Pass/NoCredit: Yes

Outcomes and Objectives

1. Demonstrate an understanding of mass media industries and their impact on consumers, creators, communities, cultures, and societies.

A. Demonstrate an understanding of the history of mass media industries, including operations, products, technology, economics, free expression, regulation, ethics, criticisms, and impacts.

B. Demonstrate an understanding of current mass media industries, including operations, products, technologies, economics, free expression, regulation, ethics, criticisms, and impacts.

C. Demonstrate an understanding of historical and current inequities in representation and access within mass media.

D. Demonstrate an understanding of underrepresented individuals' and communities' contributions to mass media industries.

E. Demonstrate an understanding of the four elements of communication: encoding, medium of transmission, decoding, and feedback.

F. Differentiate between mass communication, group communication, interpersonal communication, intrapersonal communication, and mass-personal communication.

G. Describe the First Amendment's role in guaranteeing free expression in various media industries and platforms.

H. Demonstrate an understanding of legal and ethical regulations and issues within mass media industries.

I. Demonstrate and understanding of the news industries’ responsibility to provide unbiased, accurate, and inclusive information to consumers.

J. Explain the transition of America from a “mass nation” to a “niche nation” in terms of media consumption and its impact.

K. Describe the history, origins, and effects of misinformation and disinformation in the mass media.

L. Define media literacy and explain its role in democracy.

2. Analyze and research mass media industries’ impact on consumers, creators, communities, cultures, and societies.

A. Apply the critical media literacy process to describe, analyze, interpret, evaluate, and engage with a media message.

B. Think critically about the impact of Big Tech’s algorithms, filter bubbles, and echo chambers on division and polarization in society.

C. Evaluate news coverage for objectivity, bias, credibility, and audience.

D. Evaluate how the mass media influences daily decisions, behaviors, perceptions, morals, and values.

E. Demonstrate an understanding of the process and scope of research on mass media industries and impacts.

F. Research a mass media issue and present findings to class.

3. Investigate media opportunities.

A. Identify trends, desired skills, challenges, rewards, and opportunities in mass media careers.

B. Interview a media professional on his or her role in a mass media industry and write a report or create a video documenting the interview.