CJN 400 / CJN 691

MEDIA EFFECTS

This course explores the influence of the mass media on the social world, particularly the media's impact on audiences. We will investigate the various methodologies employed to determine if, when and how media influence viewers. This body of knowledge, referred to as audience research, asks questions such as: Does playing violent video games make children behave violently? Can watching sex on television and film lead to teenage promiscuity? Are political advertisements and news coverage creating a more or less informed voter? How do people make sense of the media in their lives? The focus of this course is to understand how these questions are studied and what, if any, conclusions can be drawn from such research. While tracing the historical development of audience research we will also critique attempts by local, state and federal governments to legislate and enforce regulations restricting media content based on the findings of this research.

Syllabus - Undergraduate: Course purpose, attendance policy, grading structure and contact information (PDF document).

Syllabus - Graduate: Course purpose, attendance policy, grading structure and contact information (PDF document).

Assignments: In case you lose your paper version, all homework assignments are listed here.

Mid-term Exam: Reading schedule and study guide for the mid-term exam on June 13 (PDF document).

Final Exam: Reading schedule and study guide for the final exam on June 27 (PDF document).

Book Review - GRADUATE: Details for the book review assignment due on June 25 (PDF document).

Handouts: Copies of all in-class handouts.

Overheads: Examples from class lecture and discussion.