Length of Course: One semester (14 weeks)

 

Classroom Hours Per Week: 4 hours lecture

 

Number of Credits: 3 credits

 

Prerequisite: C+ or higher in English 098, 099 LWA placement or equivalent external score

 

This course is an introduction to historical and contemporary approaches to critical media studies. The student will learn how Media Studies evolved as a scholarly discipline, how mass media institutions, products, audiences and effects are studied today, how various forms of mass media are produced and consumed, how new digital media and Internet communication transform traditional relationships between mass media and society and between mass media and individuals. Mass media today is one of the most powerful instruments by which people are entertained, educated and persuaded and an understanding of how media operates and effects people is increasingly necessary not only for people working in the media, but also for people working in business, administrative, educational and other professional contexts.

 

Week 1 Introductions
Week 2 Communication; Mass Communication; Media; Mass Media (Read text pp 3-20.)
Week 3 Evolution of Media Studies I (Read text pp. 21-32)
Week 4 Evolution of Media Studies II (Read text pp. 33-44)
Week 5 Varieties of Media Studies (Read text pp. 50-60)
Week 6 Media Audiences (Read text pp. 61-70)
Week 7 Representation (Read text pp. 71-90)
Week 8 News Making (Read text pp. 91-106)
Week 9 Advertising; Television (Read text pp. 107-126)
Week 10 Film I (Read text pp. 127-137)
Week 11 Film II (Read text pp. 138-147)
Week 12 New Media (Read text pp. 148-158)
Week 13 Media Ownership (Read pp. 159-end)

 

2 Midterm Exams (Weeks 5 & 9) 20% each
Final Exam 30%
In-Class Presentation 20%
Participation 10%

 

Ziauddin Sardar and Borin Van Loon, Introducing Media Studies Icon Books, Cambridge UK; Totem Books, New York USA. 2000. Occasional additional readings will be added and placed on library reserve for student duplication.

 

SFU: Cmns 130(3)
UBC: Arts 1 st (3)
UVic: Hum 100 level (1.5 units)

 

Norbert Ruebsaat, B.A. British Columbia), M.A. (Simon Fraser)

Ian Chunn, B.A., M.A. (Toronto), B.Ed. (British Columbia)