Mass Media, Mass Culture - outline for Spring 2019 Thurs 2:30
Faculty of Arts, Business and Social Sciences - Communications: Media, Studio Arts department
Mass Media, Mass Culture
Course Number 585-120-VA, 585-HSC-VA
Semester - Spring (H) 2019 - sects. 00001, 00001
Teacher - Thomas Fisher
Ponderation 2-1-3
Thursday 2:30 room C305
Office - B 313 - Office 744-7500 -7675, fishert@vaniercollege.qc.ca
Office hours as posted on office door
Objectives:
The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to the contextual study of Mass Media history. It entails a semester long examination of the Media's very earliest histories; and selected, later developments in the evolving features of cultures and ideas. Utilizing a broad, comparative perspective - the student will learn to more effectively situate Media historically, and thus will be better informed, and more able to comprehend - the deterministic, and often profound influence that Media has had upon cultures and human affairs.
Through the study of selected developments in Media's central technologies, key concepts, and culturally defining historical events, such as the Scientific and Industrial Revolutions - the class will learn more about the development of Media and its origins. With these materials and methods, the student will be able to better critically appreciate - the Media’s contemporary expressions, technologies, and their far reaching implications.
Course Content:
We will examine the earliest forms of the Media, i.e. the development of alphabets & written symbols and their central roles in the birth and longevity of civilizations. We will also study the effects of early media and literacy in the development of modern civilization's arts and sciences - up to the emergence of modern Computer Assisted, Mass forms of media such as; printing, advertising, newspapers, and photography etc.
Through this kind of comparative study, the class will encounter the fascinating intersections & seemingly simultaneous developments in the arts and sciences, technology and culture. We will consider the Media’s impact contextually, from ‘petroglyphs to pixels’ and consider how and why - media has evolved. The course includes an introduction to selected historical & theoretical developments in Communications Theory, and concludes with a brief survey of newer, emerging technologies and their current application.
Methodology:
The course is broadly divided into three general areas of study: a. A semester long examination of selected traditions and inventions in Communications Arts and Science: ~ Precedents and Predictions. b. An analysis of selected constitutional issues such as: traditions of privacy, censorship and the politics and business of information. c. An overview of current Mass Media: select theories, practices & products. Lectures, presentations, screenings, written assignments, quizzes, research projects and seminars.
Evaluation:
Participants must attend all classes & are expected to actively participate in class discussions, all students must complete all assigned readings/materials or projects. Absence or tardiness without suitable documentation will result in failure. Students will be required (minimum) to write 2 essays and or substitute research/presentations for the class, as well as complete 3 quizzes, or other assignments. Essays will be graded upon originality, comprehension, research and effort. Each element is worth 20 % of final grade.
All essays must be Typed and Stapled and are due exclusively at the beginning of the class, on the due date only, unless otherwise stipulated.
Timeline
The assignments will be roughly evenly spaced over the duration of the course. The exact dates will be discussed as the class continues. The order is Quiz, Essay, Quiz, Essay, Quiz. Commencing week 3 or 4 with quiz no.1.
All late submissions will be penalized 20 marks off, if, for example - your grade was an 87, you will receive a 67 for the paper if it is late. Medical notes are required for any late submissions. No exceptions. No late submissions. Do your work on time, every time. Essays will not be accepted at any other time.
The 2 essays and or research project/presentation will equal 20 % of your grade each, for a total of 40 % of your final grade. The quizzes/and or other assignments are also worth 20 percent, per item. Your final grade is an average - based on the five grades - which is comprised of 2 essays @ 40 % and 3 quizzes/assignments @ 60 percent will = your grade.
Essays must be type-written, double spaced - minimum 750 words - All essays must include an accurate and complete bibliography and all relevant research documents and sources.
Plagiarism = Failure (zero tolerance)
Required text
History: From the Dawn of Civilization to the Present Day DK publishers -ISBN-13: 978-1465437976 will be available in the school bookstore - you will need this early on, by week 2/3, as our quizzes are based upon material found in the textbook. We will discuss the book first class.
Suggested reading:
Technopoly : The Surrender of Culture to Technology ~ Neil Postman - The Growth of Minds and Cultures: A Unified Theory of the Structure of Human Experience (Technique and Culture, Vol. 1) by William H. Vanderburg - Technological Utopianism in American Culture by Howard P. Segal - Toward an Aesthetic Criticism of Technology (Worcester Polytechnic Institute Studies in Science, Technology, and Culture, Vol. 2) by Wolhee Choe - Darwin Among the Machines: The Evolution of Global Intelligence by B.Dyson - The Medium Is the Message: An Inventory of Effects by Marshall McLuhan, - Communication in History: Technology, Culture, Society - David Crowley - The Global Village: Transformations in World Life and Media in the 21st Century by Marshall McLuhan, Bruce R. Powers - The Neuromancer by William Gibson - The Difference Engine by Bruce Sterling and William Gibson - The Skin of Culture by Derrick Kerchove
Information on College Policies
It is the student's responsibility to be familiar with and adhere to Vanier College Academic Policies. A summary of the course-level academic policies that apply in this and all other Vanier courses can be found in Omnivox under Important Vanier Links, or by following this link http://www.vaniercollege.qc.ca/psi/course-level-policies/.
Complete policies can also be found on the Vanier College website, under Policies.
For course outlines in French:
Information sur les politiques du Collège
Les étudiants ont la responsabilité de prendre connaissance des politiques du Cégep Vanier et d’y adhérer. Un résumé des politiques qui s’appliquent à ce cours comme à tous les autres cours à Vanier se trouve sur Omnivox sous la rubrique « Course-Level Policies » dans la section Important Vanier Links, ou au lien suivant : http://www.vaniercollege.qc.ca/psi/course-level-policies/.
Les politiques complètes se trouvent sur le site web du Cégep Vanier, dans la section Policies.
Good Academic Standing in the College: To be in good standing in the College and be permitted to register for the following semester, a pre-university student must have passed at least 4 courses in the previous semester. Many programs have very specific additional requirements for student success, and these requirements are made known to students in program requirement documents and in the Student Guide.
The College policies on academic complaints, cheating and plagiarism, zero tolerance, and religious holy day absences will be followed. Any form of cheating or plagiarism will result in a grade of zero on the test or assignment, and a letter from the teacher will be placed in your file. A repeated offence may lead to even more serious consequences. Please consult The Vanier Student Writing Guide, the Vanier College Catalogue, the Student Handbook and your teacher for more information.
CODE OF CONDUCT
The Code of Conduct sets forth principles, guidelines and norms of behavior expected from all individuals present at Vanier College, including students, faculty, employees, administrators, members of the Board of Directors, contractors and visitors. The Code of conduct can be found on the College’s website, under Policies and on the Omnivox Portal.
GENERAL ACADEMIC POLICIES (http://www.vaniercollege.qc.ca/academic-dean/academic-policies)
It is the student's responsibility to be familiar with and adhere to the Vanier College Academic Policies. These policies can be found online under “Academic Policies” at http://www.vaniercollege.qc.ca/acadean/P_index.html).
POSITIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
In order to create a positive learning environment, harassment by an individual or group in regards to another person’s or group’s gender, religion, language, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability or political affiliation will not be tolerated.
STUDENT ACADEMIC COMPLAINTS (Policy 7210-8)
The Vanier College Student Academic Complaints Policy and procedures puts an emphasis on mediation as the primary means to resolve complaints in the academic area. If you have a problem with a teacher and have been unable to resolve it by talking with him or her, you may wish to enlist the help of the Faculty Mediation Committee. The committee member names and contact information are available in Student Services or through the office of the Faculty Dean. The complete version of this policy is available online (http://www.vaniercollege.qc.ca/policies/uploads/7210-8_Student_Academic_Complaints.pdf).
CHEATING AND PLAGIARISM (Policy 7210 - 31)
Any form of cheating or plagiarism will result in a grade of zero on the test or assignment and a letter from the teacher will be placed in your file. A repeated offence may lead to even more serious consequences. Please consult the Vanier Student Writing Guide, the Vanier College Catalogue, the Student Handbook, the policy online (http://www.vaniercollege.qc.ca/policies/uploads/7210-31_Cheating_and_Plagiarism-4.pdf) and your teacher for more information.
STUDENT MISCONDUCT IN THE CLASSROOM (Policy 7210-19)
Student behaviour which is disruptive to the teaching/learning process in the classroom, laboratory, clinical, seminar, or other instructional settings (on or off campus), including meetings or electronic correspondence between teachers and students, is not acceptable. Conduct that is abusive to the teacher and/or other students or infringes on others’ basic rights may be dealt with under the Zero Tolerance Policy, the Human Rights Policy or the Policy on Electronic Social Aggression (Cyber bullying), as appropriate. (http://www.vaniercollege.qc.ca/policies/uploads/7210-19_student_misconduct-2.pdf).
ZERO TOLERANCE (Policy 7110-2)
The following disruptive behaviours will not be tolerated in any degree on campus: Unauthorized Use of Alcohol/Illegal Drugs; Violence against Persons or Property; Possession of Weapons; Verbal or Written Abuse or Intimidation; Theft or Gambling. The complete version of this policy is available online (http://www.vaniercollege.qc.ca/policies/uploads/7110-2_Zero_Tolerance.pdf).
RELIGIOUS HOLY DAY ABSENCES (Policy 7210-20)
Students whose religious obligations require them to be absent from the College on a holy day not formally recognized in the College calendar must inform their teachers, in writing, during the first week of classes, of the particular date(s) and times of the religious holy days on which they must be absent. Absences approved in this manner are considered to be excused absences. Students are responsible for material covered in the classes and labs them miss. The complete version of this policy is available online (http://www.vaniercollege.qc.ca/policies/uploads/7210-20_Student_Absences_for_Religious_Holy_Days-1.pdf)
STUDENT ACADEMIC STANDING AND ADVANCEMENT (Policy 7210-7)
To be in good standing in the College and be permitted to register for the following semester, a pre-university student must have passed at least four courses in the previous semester and more than 50% of the courses in which they are registered. Many programs have specific additional requirements for student success, which are made known to students in program requirement documents and in the Student Academic Standing and Advancement Policy. (http://www.vaniercollege.qc.ca/policies/uploads/7210-7_Standing_and_Advancement.pdfandhttp://www.vaniercollege.qc.ca/policies/uploads/Pre-University_S_A.pdf).
Mass Media, Mass Culture
Number: 585-120-VA, 585-HSC-VA
Ponderation 2-1-3 Credits 2
Description of Content /Course content Includes:
Introduction to: selected topics in Mass Media & cultural history – Select terminology & key theories in Mass Media and Mass Culture - Review historical landmarks & trends in the evolution of Mass Media & Mass Culture - Review intersecting and parallel developments in Mass Media and technology, arts & sciences, the history of ideas and culture - Survey of selected current trends, materials, symbols and practices. This course will introduce students to media history by defining codes and conventions. Students will also examine the media's earliest histories through various critical lenses, with a comparative analysis of the origins of modern mass cultures and their technologies. This will include an examination of how meaning is conveyed through the use or subversion of codes and conventions typical of a medium.
Statement of Competencies:
01D3: to discuss practices related to the dissemination of Mass Media and Mass Communications
01D5: to discuss the elements of culture and civilization in Mass Media Studies
Achievement Context: Grades in this course are determined by teacher evaluation of the following: Participation in class discussions and presentations.- Regular attendance - Essays and/or exams - Oral presentation.
Elements of the Competencies: O1D3
(1) To consider sociological and aesthetic aspects pertaining to the dissemination of Mass Media. (2.) To explain the interpretation and the reception by the public of the Mass Media’s materials, products & processes. (3.) To evaluate the Mass Media’s expressive and aesthetic functions.
Performance Criteria: O1D3
1.1 Identify key theoretical models and basic concepts of Mass Media Communication
Differentiate between current and historical models of Mass Media
1.3 Select key current Mass Media practices, describe their aesthetic trends and sociological impacts.
2.1 Discuss the reception, dissemination and interpretation by the public of historical forms of the Mass Media.
2.2 Note contemporary trends in Mass Media products, processes and materials
2.3 Develop explanations for the current trends in Media consumption of some of the above trends in Media content and materials.
3.1 Describe the expressive contribution that designers have had on current Mass Media processes, products & materials. Evaluate the impact of Mass Media on local and national communities and corporate, civil and educational media institutions.
Elements of the Competencies: O1D5
1. To identify elements of culture and civilization in Mass Media
2. To relate elements of culture and civilization to social phenomena in the Mass Media
3. To interpret elements of culture and civilization in the Mass Media
Performance Criteria: O1D5
1.1 Distinguish between Mass Media and Non-Mass Media forms of culture.
1.2 Differentiate between trends or periods in Mass Media.
1.3 Identify selected developments in non-mass media culture
2.1 Identify the influence selected Mass Media Periods have had on communications in general.
2.2 Identify the effects of Mass Media on: censorship, literacy, propaganda and the formation and expression of public opinion.
2.3 Cite examples of improved access to information or denial of access to information, attributable to the Mass Media.
3.1 Identify the social influence of the Mass Media on the development of culture.
3.2 Articulate the ways that Mass Media can be used as a mechanism of civil control.
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