| 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 |