COM 213 - Media Communication
| Professor: Dr. Scott Sochay | Department of Communication Studies |
| Office: HC 327F | Spring Semester, 2022 |
| Office Hours: Monday through Friday 8-9 am and by appt. |
Location: BAC332 |
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Time: M, W, F 9-9:50 am |
| Office Phone: (651) 638-6199 | PO Box 51 |
| Home Phone: (517) 648-7759 | homepage: www.bethel.edu/~socsco |
| email: scott-sochay@bethel.edu | Prerequisites: none |
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Required Text:
None
Recommended (in my office): Webber, Robert E. (1980). God Still Speaks: A Biblical View of Christian Communication, Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.
Course Objectives:
1. To prepare students to think critically about the mass media;
2. to equip students with a general understanding of the complex dynamics of media institutions, economics, regulation, culture and ethics;
3. to help students evaluate media effects research and apply media research methodologies;
4. to develop students' understanding of the role of media history in shaping the current (and future) media landscape.
COVID Notes:
Face coverings are required in this class when 6ft distance cannot be maintained.
Based on guidance from Bethel University, if you experience specific COVID-19 symptoms, you should notify me, not attend class in person, and get tested no matter your vaccination status.
If you need to quarantine or isolate due to COVID-19 exposure or illness, I will work with you to continue your learning when you are well enough to do so. How you continue to learn may be different in this class than it is in your other classes.
Anyone who is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, has tested positive for COVID-19, or is unvaccinated and has been in close contact (within six feet for 15 minutes or more throughout a 24-hour period—with or without a mask) with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, should call the COVID-19 Hotline at 651.635.8500.
Grading and Expectations:
Participation is important and is part of your grade. Students are expected to have read the required chapters for each class session and be prepared to discuss its contents. A lack of preparation not only hurts your grade it also takes away from the quality of the in-class discussion and makes the learning experience less enjoyable for your classmates. Attendance is also a part of your participation grade. Excessive absences and/or tardiness will be reflected in that generally, three or more unexcused absences will result in a minimum one grade lower participation grade. The University policy on attendance can be found in the Bethel catalog.
Projects are due at the beginning of the class period noted in the course outline. Late projects or missed exams will not be accepted without a legitimate excuse such as medical illness or emergency. If you have a situation that may present difficulties in turning a project in on time or making an exam date the proper procedure is to discuss this with me before the due date. I'm flexible and understanding when students talk with me before an assignment or exam is due. I'm much less flexible if a student tries to explain their situation after the due date has passed. In short, if you think you're going to have a problem turning in an assignment on time, talk with me before the due date. The same also applies to attendance. Excused absences are at my discretion. I am far more likely to grant them when students let me know ahead of time (when possible) or contact me as soon as possible after the missed class.
Any/all assignments should be submitted in hard copy form. Any exceptions to this will be announced in class.
Student work will be evaluated according to the guidelines laid out in the Bethel University catalog. To receive an "A," work should be "exceptional". "B" work is considered "good," and "C" "work "satisfactory" and so on. If you have any questions about assignments, ask! If there are concerns about grading, the Complaint and Appeals Procedure can be found at: http://cas.bethel.edu/academics/catalog/.
Accessibility Statement:
All syllabi must include the following statement from the catalog, not just a link to this policy.
Bethel University is committed to accessibility for students with disabilities and the Office of Accessibility Resources & Services (OARS) is a resource to ensure students experience access. Reasonable accommodations are approved after an interactive process with the student and OARS. The instructor will provide accommodations, but the student is required to initiate the process.
OARS recommends the student and faculty discuss how accommodations may apply in the specific course. If there are any questions or concerns, connect with OARS at accessibility-serivces@bethel.edu or 651.638.6833.
The Bethel policy on academic honesty applies in this course. (see Bethel University catalog)
Points will be awarded for the course as follows:
| Exam 1 | 50 points |
| Exam 2 | 50 points |
| Effects Paper | 50 points |
| Media History Recording/Musical Artist Paper | 50 points |
| Group Project | 25 points |
| Participation | 25 points |
| Total | 250 points |
Final grades will be based on the cumulative number of points earned on the assignments noted above. Accumulated points will be divided by the total points available (250) to arrive at a percentage for the course. Grades will be assigned based on the following scale:
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A |
= 93-100% |
C+ |
= 77-79 |
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A- |
= 90-92 |
C |
= 73-76 |
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B+ |
= 87-89 |
C- |
= 70-72 |
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B |
= 83-86 |
D+ |
= 67-69 |
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B- |
= 80-82 |
D |
= 60-66 |
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F |
= below 60 |
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Links to course handouts:
Media History Recording/ Musical Artist paper
Key Concepts for Media History
Romans 1:20
"For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse." (NASB)
Tentative Course Outline and Assignments
| Date | Topic | Assignments |
| 1/31 | Introduction | |
| 2/2 | Theology of Mass Media | |
| 2/4 | Media History Print in the 1800s | topic sentences due |
| 2/7 | Media History Telegraph | |
| 2/9 | Media History Telephone |
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| 2/11 | Media History Wireless |
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| 2/14 | Media History Phonograph | |
| 2/16 | Media History Film | |
| 2/18 | Media History Wireless 2 | |
| 2/21 | Media History AM Radio | 3 sources due |
| 2/23 | Media History FM Radio |
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| 2/25 | Media History Television |
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| 2/28 | Media History Cable |
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| 3/2 | Media History Digital Television |
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| 3/4 | Media History Film 2 |
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| 3/7 | Media History | Media Effects Paper Due |
| 3/9 | Media History | |
| 3/11 | Media History Recorded Music | |
| 3/14-18 | SPRING BREAK | |
| 3/21 | Media History Telephone 2 |
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| 3/23 | Media History Internet |
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| 3/25 | Media History |
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| 3/28 | Exam 1 |
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| 3/30 | Intro to Theory |
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| 4/1 | Postman & Literacy |
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| 4/4 | Postman & Literacy Effects Intro |
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| 4/6 | Postman & Literacy Postman |
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| 4/8 | Postman & Literacy Hollywood | |
| 4/11 | Coding | |
| 4/13 | Content Influences, Gatekeeping | |
| 4/15-18 | EASTER BREAK | |
| 4/20 | Gatekeeping, Filters |
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| 4/22 | Media Research & Effects Overview |
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| 4/25 | Media Research & Effects Effects History 1 |
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| 4/27 | Media Research & Effects Effects History 2 |
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| 4/29 | Media Research & Effects | |
| 5/2 | Media Research & Effects | History Recording and Artist Paper Due |
| 5/4 | Media Research & Effects | |
| 5/6 | Media Research & Effects | |
| 5/9 | Media Research & Effects |
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| 5/11 | Exam 2 | |
| 5/13 | GROUP DAY |
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| 5/16 | Group Presentations | 8:15-10:15 |
Tentative Course Outline and Assignments
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