JNL 224 Introduction to Mass Communications

1. Explain selected communication theories and research in mass communication scholarship.
2. Relate key mass media historical events to United States history.
3. Explain how the media operates in the United States.
4. Produce specific current examples of the social, economic, legal, and technological aspects of the media in the United States.

Statewide General Education Outcomes:

1. Interpret and engage in the Arts and Letters, making use of the creative process to enrich the quality of life.
2. Critically analyze values and ethics within a range of human experience and expression to engage more fully in local and global issues.

• Communications as Process 
  • Models of Communications Patterns 
  • Development of Communications 
  • Theories of Human Communications 
  • Mass Communications Defined 
• A History of Print 
  • Pre-history and Euro foundations 
  • English Common Law and the Press 
  • Colonial Press 
  • Penny Press 
  • Newspaper circulation wars 
  • The Tabloid Press 
• The Modern Newspaper 
  • Structural Considerations 
  • Technology: Mergenthaler to Neuharth and Beyond 
  • The First Amendment Besieged 
• Magazines: Development and Structure 
  • Early Magazines 
  • Circulation Wars 
  • The Fragmented Market 
• The development of radio 
  • Early Efforts 
  • Regulations 
  • The General Interest Entertainment Provider 
  • Competing with Television 
• The Development of Television 
  • Early efforts 
  • The New Mass Medium 
  • The Freeze of 1952 
  • Cable and Satellite 
  • Violence 
• The business side of the media 
  • Revenues 
  • The Effects of Advertising 
• Regulation of the media 
  • Sedition Acts 
  • Espionage Acts 
  • Wireless Ship Act 
  • Radio Act of 1927 
  • Communications Act of 1934 
  • The Mayflower Decision 
  • Payola Scandals 
  • Pentagon Papers, Progressive magazine 
  • Case Law