Mass Media Courses
MASS 301 Media Theory (3)
Introduction to the theories of mediated communication, including theories based on critical/cultural, normative, and social scientific approaches. Explores the historical development of the major Western philosophical perspectives regarding the media and their role and impact in society.
MASS 303 Mass Media and Technology (3)
A critical and historical examination of 19th, 20th, and 21st century analog and digital mass media/communication technologies. Introduces the role of media technology in human creative activity and examines the contexts in which new technologies come into use. Students will examine economic and political issues that have (and do) influence the selection of some technologies and standards over others. Students may have the opportunity to create media projects applying course concepts.
MASS 304 Global Media (3)
An exploration of "globalization" as an historical - as well as a contested - process, and of cultural, social, technological economic political processes at work in "mass media globalization". Case studies link discussions of specific forms (i.e., music, radio, video, journalism, internet/web cell phones, broadcast satellites, and points of origin) to old and new audiences. These case studies are contextualized in a consideration of specific communication processes associated with trade, war, community development, policy making and reform, and privatization/deregulation.
MASS 322 Media Power (3)
Illustrates how media power operates in culture through discourse in local and global contexts. Students examine the power dynamics among producers, subjects and audiences in and around mass media: who makes what for whom and how. Readings and discussions will explore power-inflected relations in mass media, along with discovering possibilities in how to reclaim media power. What happens when historical Others make work about themselves, their cultures and communities?
MASS 324 Media Effects (3)
Explores theories and methods used in scholarly and commercial industrial research on media uses, interpretations and effects. Focus on communication structures, contexts and processes that influence the connections between receiving information, constructing meaning and attitudes and individual and social behavior. Students may have the opportunity to create media projects applying course concepts.
MASS 451 Media, Religion, Popular Culture (3)
A study of the theoretical foundations and the process of constructing religiosity and spirituality on electronic media. Explores construction of religiosity in religious media. Examines construction of spirituality in secular media. Investigates the commodification of religiosity and spirituality in popular culture.
MASS 452 Media Ethics (3)
Examination of ethical standards and practices of the mass media. Focuses on the conduct as a future media practitioner and the impact students will have on others in particular and society in general. Includes development of ethical decision-making skills.
MASS 460 Political Economy of Mass Media (3)
Theories and problems concerning systems of support and control of the mass media, with special reference to the role of special interest groups and the political state. Emphasis on allocations of spectrum, time, money, energy, materials, and human resources among agencies of mass communication systems. Consideration is given to questions of access to media institutions and the operations of such institutions in light of governmental regulations and policies. Some focus on the significance of mass communication in conducting foreign affairs, as well as the role of mass communication in developing nations. May not be taken for credit by students who have received credit for COMM 460.
MASS 470 Topic in Mass Media (1-4)
Focuses on a specific aspect of mass media which involves mass media production and/or media organization and systems and/or media uses and effects. Topics vary by semester. Students should check the Class Schedule for listing of individual topics and the areas. May be repeated for credit as topics change for a total of six (6) units.
MASS 495 Mass Media Internship (3)
May be used by students who have found opportunities for practical work experience in mass media enterprises. Students will write a paper analyzing their work experience in the context of concepts studied in other Mass Media courses. Number of units to be decided by the instructor. MASS 495 and MASS 499 may total no more than six (6) units applied toward the major. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
MASS 499 Independent Study (1-3)
May be used by students who desire to do individualized projects with a professor. Number of units to be decided by the instructor. May be repeated for a total of six (6) units. MASS 495 and MASS 499 may total no more than six (6) units applied toward the major. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.