21L.015 | Fall 2003 | Undergraduate

Introduction to Media Studies

Calendar

LEC # TOPICS KEY DATES
I. Core Concepts
1 Introduction to the Course: A Comparative Approach to Media Studies: Storytelling Across Media  
2 Media Studies: An Interdisciplinary Field 
Technology and Meaning: Concepts of “High” and “Low” Culture
 
3 Lab/Discussion Section: Show and Tell (Media Artifacts) - See Handout 
Note: Sections meet in extended session for 1.5 hours
 
4 Approaches to Studying Media: The Concept of Commodity - The Frankfurt School and the Birmingham School 
Questions of Ownership and Control of Media 
The Challenge of Cultural Pluralism
 
5 Applying the Frameworks: Advertising  
6 Screening/Discussion Section: The Power of Advertising 
Documentary Film Screening
 
7 Key Media Debates: Influence, Representation, Control 
Guest Speaker: Prof. Mark Lloyd
Paper 1 and Cover Letter Due to Discussion Section Leader
II. Comparative Media Over Time
8 Comparing Oral and Print Cultures: Different Forms of Storytelling  
9 Written Media: The Press: Technology, Power and Influence

Library Presentation with Reference Librarians 
Bring Proposal for Final Research Project (1-1 ½ Pages, Typed) 
See Handout for Description of Project

Submit Revised Proposal for Research Project to Section Leader

10-11 The Rise of Entertainment Culture in Late 19th Century America and the Growth of Modern Mass Media in Early 20th Century America  
12 Screening/Discussion Section: The Rise of Modern Mass Media: Early Silent Film in the U.S.  
13 The Documentary Mode: Photography and Film 
Media and Social Reform
 
14 The Star System: Origins in the Silent Era  
15 Screen Culture: Movies and Music Paper 2 Due to Section Leader
16 Screening/Discussion Section: The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (Piano Accompaniment and Discussion: Prof. Martin Marks)  
17 Sound Genres And Audiences: Storytelling Across Media: Melodrama and Horror  
18 The Social Problem Movie: Storytelling Across Media  
19 Filmic and Ethnic Images  
20 Storytelling Across Media: Film and Colonialism  
21 Broadcasting: Radio and Television: The Public Interest, Public Entertainment and the Commercial Imperative Paper 3 Due to Section Leader
22 TV as Consensus Narrative: Critiques of TV  
23-24 Cable TV and Independent Film Draft, Final Research Paper 4 Due to Section Leader
25-26 Globalization and Media Culture  
27-28 Models of The Digital Revolution  
29-30 Contemporary Issues: Media Convergence and Power in the Digital Age Audiences as Producers and Receivers  
31-32 Discussion Section: Extended Section 7-10 Oral Presentations, Final Research Project
33 Last Day of Class Final Essay Due

Course Info

Instructor
Departments
As Taught In
Fall 2003
Learning Resource Types
Written Assignments
Presentation Assignments