MnTC #07-140R
November 8, 2007
NORMANDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
COMMON COURSE OUTLINE for COMM 1106: INTRODUCTION TO MASS COMMUNICATION
Revised Oct. 30, 2007
Recommendations: COMP 0900 or placement in COMP 1101, and READ 0960 or placement in READ 1106
MNTC: Goals 2, 5, 9
COURSE AND CATALOG DESCRIPTION:
The primary purpose of this course is to examine mass communication and its influence on society. Particular emphasis will be placed on the interplay between mass communication and economic, social, political and cultural forces.
CONTENT AREAS:
Media history, types of media, social and economic issues, laws and regulations, media ethics, and the global impact of mass communication.
COURSE OBJECTIVES AND LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students who successfully complete this course should be able to demonstrate an
understanding of:
A. mass communication theory (MnTC Goal 5b, 5c, 5d, 9b)
B. the impact of the emerging communication technologies on society (MnTC Goal 5d)
C. history and development of mass communication (MnTC Goal 5b)
D. history, purposes, strengths and weaknesses of various media (MnTC Goal 5b, 5c, 5d)
E. the impact of advertising on consumers (5d, 9e)
F. basic public relations history and applications ((MnTC Goal 5b, 5d, 9b, 9c, 9e)
G. the impact of mass communication on social, family, and cultural values (MnTC Goal 5b,5d, 9e)
H. the organization and structure of media industries (MnTC Goal 5b)
I. fundamental media laws and regulations (MnTC Goal 9b, 9c, 9e)
J. media ethics (MnTC Goal 9a, 9b, 9c, 9e)
K. media and the global marketplace (MnTC Goal 9d)
L. contemporary media issues and trends (MnTC Goal 5d, 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, 9e)
Students should also be able to:
M. gather factual information and apply it to a given problem in a manner that is relevant, clear, comprehensive, and conscious of possible bias in the information selected. (MnTC Goal 2a)
N. imagine and seek out a variety of possible goals, assumptions, interpretations, or perspectives which can give alternative meaning or solutions to given situations or problems. (MnTC Goal 2b)
O. analyze the logical connections among the facts, goals, and implicit assumptions relevant to a problem or claim; generate and evaluate implications that follow from them. (MnTC Goal 2c)
P. recognize and articulate the value assumptions which underlie and affect decisions, interpretations, analyses, and evaluations made by ourselves and others. (MnTC Goal 2d)
EVALUATION SYSTEM:
The specific evaluation system will be determined by each instructor. Some suggested evaluation methods could include: