PROFESSOR LEO ARISTIMUÑO

OFFICE HOURS : Weds. 11:30 – 12:15 pm • By appointment •

You MUST e-mail to confirm : aristim@andromeda.rutgers.edu

Bradley Hall 322

COURSE GOALS & METHODOLOGY
This course aims to introduce students to the history, workings, and cultural impact_
of mass media in today's society._

By providing an overview into the development of numerous mass media, including print, television, film, and the World Wide Web, students will develop comprehensive understanding of the roles which these industries play in the formation of our contemporary media culture.

While this course will examine the media in broad strokes, it will also devote significant attention to specific case studies, giving students the tools to perform critical content analysis as well as an understanding of reception theory and political economy approaches.

The course will also examine representations of race, gender, and the immigrant experience in the context of an analysis of ideology and its relation to mass media.

We will do all this through a number of strategies, including readings, lectures, class discussions, screenings, critical essays, and exams.
_

TEXTBOOK & WEBSITE
The textbook for this course is available at B&N BOOKSTORE in Bradley Hall

MASS MEDIA IN A CHANGING WORLD, by George Rodman (McGraw Hill) (ISBN 0-07-295711-5) - ANY EDITION

WEB SITE: http://andromeda.rutgers.edu/~aristim

The course web site will be used to post notices, additional reading & viewing assignments, and class news. STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO VISIT THE SITE FREQUENTLY._
EVERYTHING POSTED TO THE SITE, INCLUDING READINGS, OR LINKS TO READINGS OR OTHER WEB SITES IS "REQUIRED READING" TO BE DISCUSSED IN CLASS AND TO BE INCLUDED IN EXAMS.
_

EXPECTATIONS
Students should expect to read approximately 50 pages per week from the textbook and other assigned sources, including journal articles, newspapers, and web sites. Readings outside the textbook will be assigned one week before they are due. Therefore, it is in students' interest to read the textbook chapters early so as to leave time for additional readings.

The success of this course depends on the the active engagement of all students. Students are expected to fulfill all reading assignments on time. They are also expected to actively participate in class discussions and groups projects.

Students will do best if they contribute to class discussions by integrating into their course readings their own experiences with mass media. Those who bring or discuss specific examples of media that apply to class discussion topics will show a greater engagement in the course.
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EVALUATION
Students will be evaluated on their active engagement with the class. This includes doing readings on time, attending class on time, contributing to class discussions, and collaborating in group assignments. Please see the following for a breakdown of grading for class.

Class Participation__ 15%
(Includes attendance, timeliness, & discussion)
Exam #1__ 20 %
Exam #2__ 20 %
Exam #3__ 20 %
Final Exam_ 25 %

Examswill be based on both the assigned textbook readings AND on class discussions, web-based readings, and special topics announced in class.

HOW "PARTICIPATION" is evaluated._
"Participation" is_ BOTH engagement in class discussion AND attendance.

Perfect attendance will not guarantee a perfect "Participation" grade.

All students begin with an automatic 10 points towards "Participation." Consistent active participation in class discussions will earn a student the remaining 10 points for a perfect "Participation" score of 20 points. This score, however, can suffer from poor attendance.

Students are only allowed 2 unexcused absences. For all other absences, written proof of reason for absence be presented. Attendance will be regularly taken at the beginning of each class. There will be an automatic 25% reduction in your participation grade for every unexcused absence after the second one.(That's 5 point off the final grade!).

A late arrival is considered an absence if_ Prof. A._ has already taken roll: no signing in after class!
_

CONTACTING PROFESSOR ARISTIMUÑO
OFFICE HOURS:_ WEDNESDAYS 3:00 - 4:00 pm or by appointment

Because of the large number of students in this course, please e-mail Prof. Aristimuño
ONLY to set up an appointment for an office visit or to ask specific questions about assignments that are not answered by the syllabus.

Note: Documentation for absences must be provided in writing after the absence - NOT by e-mail._

If you need to contact Prof. Aristimuño for any other reason, please call his office at
973.353.1184