COMM436/636: Issues in Communication:
History of the Mass Media
Note: The writing of this syllabus are based on actual material published
in nineteenth century American and British newspapers.
INSTRUCTOR.
Ross Collins, Ph.D.,
of the North Dakota State University Communication Department, Fargo.
OFFICE.
321A Minard Hall.
HOURS.
in which the professor will receive students.
***, or by appointment.
Members of this class are behooved to rely on the TELEPHONE at 17295, or E-MAIL
at Ross.Collins@ndsu.edu
for expedient facilitation of communication with the professor.
TO THE PUBLIC.
A few words of introduction.
We present to the student public a NEW COURSE not taught in this department for quite some time now. The course covering the history of mass media in the United States and overseas is unexampled in point of depth and breadth, and, we trust, it will be pronounced of the highest order of merit. Our arrangements have been made without regard to expense, based on the admirable facilities afforded us by the noble people of the great state of NORTH DAKOTA. We trust that those students who are now reading these words will find this course to be of first class rank, able to meet nearly all expectations and varying demands expected of such an undertaking.
Explanation of principles.
From one of our own Correspondents recently returned from an extended journey to the south end of campus, we are pleased to provide an authoritative report on the objectives of this course, the particulars of which are MCOM 436/636, Issues in Mass Communication/History of the Mass Media.
Education being an object of the highest importance to the welfare of society, we shall endeavor to present just and adequate knowledge in order to form our students into useful members of society. Our Correspondent informs us that the course objectives to be implemented are as presented in the list below. The student who successfully completes this program should:
+ Understand how the development of mass media shaped the philosophy and operation of mass communication today, technically, legally, and philosophically.
+ Recognize the major events of communication history, and understand why they are important.
+ Understand the relationship between media development and society, and recognize how mass media have met those needs in the past and today.
+ Recognize a few major historical names and dates significant to media development.
+ Understand how historians research and write history, and be able to actually produce historical writing of acceptable quality.
The merit of attendance.
We are happy to have the opportunity to confirm that the instructor of this course has seen fit to abstain from implementing a formal attendance policy. The import of this momentous decision on the student public is that attendance is not required, nor will roll be taken.
Though not desirous of dictating, we shall feel it our incumbent duty to state that the instructor plans a number of lectures and activities in class which will not be duplicated by textbook material. Students who abstain for reasons unknown from class attendance will miss this material, which will very likely be included on a subsequent examination. In addition, in-class assignments cannot be made up, nor can credit be obtained for them. It will avail the luckless student little to mourn his missed assignments, as requests for special favors will only be regarded with disapprobation by the instructor.
Nevertheless, it shall be the instructor's desire to conduct the class as to give offence to none of its patrons. Therefore, in an attempt to take into account the inevitable trials which befall all human beings from time to time during a given semester, the instructor will drop one missed in-class assignment from final grade calculations. Earnest students so desirous to make fruitful intellectual intercourse with their brethren without falter during the entire semester will find that their lowest in-class grade will not be considered in final grade calculations.
The matter of grades.
A Wonder of Fair Dealing.
We most positively and distinctly state that upon no account shall any alteration
be made in the fair-grading policy as set out below. Grading will be computed
on a curve, based on mathematical calculation of percentage weights. Grades
received by individuals will not be discussed in class, to preserve confidentiality.
Students whose benevolence is momentarily at issue with respect to a grade received
are asked to meet privately with the instructor during office hours.
We intend, and are resolved, that two examinations will be presented during
the semester, one at mid-semester time, and the other during the final examination
period. In addition, students will be assigned a historical term paper based
on resources to be explained in the fullness of time, and sundry weekly assignments.
Work presented late will be accepted, but grades will suffer according to the
length of tardiness.
Grading weights may be broken into the numbers presented below, reflecting highest
possible points.
Mid-semester exam, 180 pts.
Final exam, 270 pts.
Historical research paper, 315 pts.
Other assignments, 135 pts.
Total: 900 pts.
Letter grades will not be given during the semester, but you can calculate
your grade anytime by finding the percentage as related to the total possible
points. For instance, you have collected 220 points by midterm, out of a possible
250 so far. Divide 220 by 250, and the result is .88, that is, 88 percent. Your
grade so far is in the B range. Need help to keep track? Download a grade
computation worksheet.
GRADUATE STUDENTS will be expected to submit additional material at a higher
level of competence, to be explained by the instructor in the fullness of time.
Author
Wm. David Sloan
being expert in the field of mass media history, is pleased to present The
Media in America (5th ed., Vision Press, 2002), as required textbook for
this course. The Varsity Mart is prepared to execute orders for the above text,
and for a second set of published books,
Diana Hacker, A Pocket Style Manual, and Lynn Rampolla, A Pocket Guide to Writing in History (1993 and 1995, respectively, Bedford Books of St. Martin's Press).
The second set of books is optional for undergraduates, but required for graduate students.
Disabilities Note: Students who need special accommodations for learning
or have special needs are asked to let the instructor know as soon as possible.
The Department of Communication...
comprising professors of the highest integrity and educational preparation, propose
to the public the presentation of useful knowledge of every kind, and every thing
that relates to communication in our American Union. The students of North Dakota
State University shall occupy our classes, and these important subjects still
in the iron fetters of ignorance shall be nevertheless our kindred spirits. And
though but little can be effected by us, still it will be our task to admonish
our younger brethren to the greatest value of wisdom attained through hardy application
of diligence.
A Tentative Schedule.
Week One
Introduction, historical overview, The Gulf War, Vietnam. Read introduction, chapter 24.
Week Two
Television in the last two decades, war propaganda. Read chapter 23.
Week Three
Dawn of television, Watergate. Read chapter 19.
Week Four
World War II, modern news values. Read chapter 17.
Week Five
Historical research methods, jazz journalism. Read chapters 15 and 16.
Week Six
Begin reseach project.
Week Seven
Dawn of readio,World War I.Read chapter 18. Review for midterm.
Week Eight
Muckraking, yellow journalism. MID-SEMESTER EXAM. Read chapters 12 and 16.
Week Nine
Photography, 1839-1925. Development of the mdoern newspaper. Read chapter 11.
Week Ten
Dawn of public relations and advertising. Read chapter 21 and 22.
Week Eleven
Civil War and the frontier. Read chapters 9 and 10.
Week Twelve
News for cheap: the Penny Press and technology. Read chapters 7 and 8.
Week Thirteen
New freedom, new technology. Read chapter 6. The press and a new nation. Read
chapter 5. (No class Thursday; Thanksgiving holiday.)
Week Fourteen
The press and an old nation, colonial and revolutionary. Read chapters 3 and 4.
Week Fifteen
Colonial press, roots of American journalism. Read chapter 2.
Week Sixteen
Roots and beginnings, international journalism. Read chapter 1. FINAL EXAM.
For more information
Edwin and Michael Emery, The Press and America, 1988. The classic modern history of American journalism; many editions out there.
Michael Schudson, Discovering the News, 1978. The rise of the idea of objectivity.
James D. Startt and William David Sloan, Historical Methods in Mass Communication, 1989. Excellent resource for students who want to write history, media or general.
Jacques Barzun and Henry Graff, The Modern Researcher, 1977. More all-encompassing than the work above, a classic for historians and others who sometimes rely on historical research methods, such as working journalists.
Martin Walker, Powers of the Press. Twelve of the World's Influential Newspapers, 1983. A good introduction to international journalism.
Thomas C. Leonard, The Power of the Press. The Birth of American Political
Reporting, 1986. How journalists worked from the birth of democracy to
the Civil War.
Alternative forms: Instructor's web page.
The class web site is available at www.ndsu.edu/communication/collins; choose
Class Resources. The site offers this syllabus,
resources, class roster, announcements page, and class bulletin board for chats.
Extra credit is offered for postings on the bulletin board.
Download COMM 436 seminar syllabus (PDF file).
Return to resources page.