The relationship between media and society. Because of the
First Amendment’s commitment to freedom of press and speech,
attention is focused on news. Students will become critical
consumers of media and will explore how media create and
disseminate messages. Focus on current issues in all media
forms.
Athena Title
Media, News, and Consumers
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in JOUR 3030E, JOUR 3030H
Prerequisite
Permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall and spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
Through readings, videos, lectures, and class assignments, students will learn key concepts of news media, including the relationship between journalism and society.
Students will learn about the First Amendment, including their rights.
Students will become more critical consumers of media via a focus on current media controversies and events.
Students will be introduced to media history, ethics, and law.
Topical Outline
Reading and using news; building blocks of news; media
processes and principles; the structure and nature of media;
watching TV news: how to be a smarter viewer; anatomy of a
multimedia news organization; how news is made; history of
journalism in America; theories of the First Amendment;
freedom of information; newsgathering law and liability;
freedom of the press; online media law: basics for bloggers
and others; handling race and ethnicity; journalism ethics;
politics and media; understanding and interpreting polls;
media as a business; hate speech and campus speech codes;
free-speech zones; fan profanity; sexual harassment.
