COM 20500 - Media Industries And Society

This course examines the context and significance of communication media in past and contemporary society. The issues we explore throughout the session primarily revolve around the questions of how media shape society, and in turn, how society shapes media. Integrating theoretical and practical approaches to media, the course will explore key concepts and issues required to understanding the development, role, as well as the relationships between technology, industry, regulation, texts, and audiences. We will spend the second part of the session focusing on the history and current state of specific media industries - such as film, radio, television, and social media. The primary goal of this course is to help you become an informed and critical reader/user of media, or in other words, a media literate person.

Cr. 3.
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Demonstrate comprehension of key terms and concepts related to media studies.
2. Critically discuss the major theoretical approaches to media and society.
3. Discuss the history and development of the different media industries.
4. Identify the key trends and issues that define current media industries.
5. Apply all of the above to understand and analyze media texts, issues, and events.