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