Popular mediated culture has evolved with communication technology during the past century to establish institutions that help define our shared identity. This course is about culture that appears in mass media and how it reflects, creates or diminishes values central to the United States by focusing on this period and examining the resulting forms, messages and impacts within society and societal institutions. Among the cultural forms examined include printed material, motion pictures, television programs, recorded and broadcast music, and online culture. Each of these methods of communicating have been utilized for unique purposes, whether comedic or dramatic entertainment, political information and propaganda, advertising and public relations, or the transfer of a simple narrative.
To better understand how popular culture is conceived and understood, the instructor will discuss the history and context of these texts and societal institutions, methods scholars use to examine these materials, and theories relevant to the field of study. Students are expected to interact through analysis and discussion of the primary material presented in the classroom.
Students who complete this course will learn:
This course satisfies a one-course requirement within Theme A: American Identities and Cultures. As such, there is a 2,500-word writing requirement that will be satisfied by Vista discussion board submissions throughout the semester.
This being a relatively large class, there will not be formal attendance taken. However, to earn a high grade attendance is required to become familiar with concepts and original texts presented in class.
Simply put, come to class, do the readings, study for the exams, and contribute to the online discussion board. Do this and you will succeed. If you fail to do the above, your grade will reflect a lack of initiative and will likely disappoint.
This course requires you to have access to high-speed Internet access to listen to audio lectures as well as watch and listen to material online. Please make arrangements for accessing high-speed Internet -- the library is a good resource -- because this material is required.
Each week, there will be only one meeting, which occurs on Thursday. In lieu of the traditional Tuesday meeting period, there will be online material for student instruction. This material is linked on the course schedule weekly; it is labeled "online."
Required Web activities:
One book is required and is available at the bookstore and Amazon.com:
This book serve primarily as complements to in-class material; lectures will not recap course readings. During exam reviews I will briefly survey the most relevant material from the readings but students are expected to have a comprehensive understanding of these texts.
Throughout the course mass communications -- recorded music, motion pictures, documents, Web productions, television programs -- will be examined in the classroom. This material is also required. If you miss class it is your responsibility to watch, read or listen to the material presented during class time.
If you have a disability and require special accommodations, please see me after class to discuss possible arrangements with ARC.
Matthew Blake Department of Journalism CSU-Chico
mdblake@csuchico.edu (530) 898-3608
