Students of this course will:
• Become familiar with the history and political development of mass media with a focus
  on understanding how this history and development can instruct our theoretical
  understanding of what the mass media are and how they develop within our specific
  political system and how they have influenced that system
• Understand the nature of our current media system as well as how it compares to
  others in the world
• Produce written work that demonstrates this knowledge
• Engage in the assessment of a variety of data in the area of mass media and how this
  data can be used to answer questions about media and politics and its influence in a 
  variety of venues

Part I.   The Mass Media as an Institution and Its Relation to Politics
Part II.  Impact of the Mass Media on Individual and Organizational Social and 
          Political Behavior 
Part III. Mass Media Power and Government Control
Part IV.  The New Media and Politics

All academic work must meet the standards contained in "A Culture of Honesty."  
Students are responsible for informing themselves about these standards before 
performing academic work.  The penalties for academic dishonesty are severe and 
ignorance is not an acceptable defense.  Also note that the course syllabus is a 
general plan for the course and that deviations announced to the class by the 
instructor may be necessary.