COMS 327: Politics and the Media
Prerequisite: POSC 120 and COMS 130 or permission of instructor
Cross-Listed: POSC 327
Credit Hours: (3)
Modern mass media as actors in the political arena, with an emphasis on how elections and policy-making are affected by the mass media.
Detailed Description of Content of Course
Topics may include:
I. Media and Politics
A. The Modern Media
B. The Modern American Political Order
II. Media and Elections
A. Presidential elections
B. Other elections
III. Media and Policy-Making
A. Domestic Policy
B. Foreign Policy
IV. Media and Other Nations
A. Western/Parliamentarian/Free Nations
B. Totalitarian Nations
C. Third World Nations
V. Media as "Establishment"
A. United States
B. Europe
VI. Technology and It's Effects on Contemporary Politics
A. Television, radio
B. Newspapers
C. Polling and the Public
VII. Ethics and the Media
A. Government regulation?
B. Self-policing?
C. Competition?
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
Lectures based on original reading and classroom discussion of that reading. Students may also be assigned essay topics for term papers based on specific moves relevant to politics and the media. Students are required to keep a journal based on systematic analysis of television and/or newspaper presentations of contemporary politics. Classroom discussion is particularly directed toward an analysis of television and how it affects politics.
Goals and Objectives of the Course
1. To introduce students to current research on the relationships between politics
and the media.
2. To increase student awareness of how the electronic media in particular shapes
our views and understanding of politics.
3. To better understand how modern media affects the decision-making and policy making
functions of government.
Assessment Measures
Essay examinations given in-class, term papers, and classroom participation. A comprehensive final examination may be given at the end of the course.
Other Course Information
None
Review and Approval
DATE ACTION REVIEWED BY
April 1998 Reviewed M. J. Franck, Dept. Chair