SOC3093 Sociology of Mass CommunicationBahçeşehir UniversityDegree Programs MEDICINEGeneral Information For StudentsDiploma SupplementErasmus Policy StatementNational QualificationsBologna Commission
MEDICINE
Bachelor TR-NQF-HE: Level 6 QF-EHEA: First Cycle EQF-LLL: Level 6

Course Introduction and Application Information

Course Code Course Name Semester Theoretical Practical Credit ECTS
SOC3093 Sociology of Mass Communication Fall 3 0 3 5
This catalog is for information purposes. Course status is determined by the relevant department at the beginning of semester.

Basic information

Language of instruction: English
Type of course: Non-Departmental Elective
Course Level: Bachelor’s Degree (First Cycle)
Mode of Delivery: Face to face
Course Coordinator : Prof. Dr. AYŞE NİLÜFER NARLI
Recommended Optional Program Components: "."
Course Objectives: -To introduce mass media theory
- To acquire an understanding of media theory and research
-To develop a critical understanding for the relationship between media and society
-To raise an awareness of political and economic forces shaping media
-To deconstruct, analyze and evaluate media messages
-To master and apply media literacy skills

Learning Outcomes

The students who have succeeded in this course;
Students will be able to,
1) Synthesize a range of theoretical perspectives to examine contemporary issues in mass media
2) Critically analyze media messages
3) Develop an understanding for the active role of media in social formations
4) Evaluate relationships between media industries and society in terms of political economy perspective
5) Examine the dynamics of developing media technologies

Course Content

This course by focusing on the impact of mass communication, aims to provide students with a framework for understanding the complex relationship between media and society. The main objectives of the course are to provide students with a critical understanding of the media as a key social institution, to develop awareness of political and economic forces shaping media, to develop critical skills to deconstruct media messages and to develop media literacy skills. This course introduces critical theories of mass media and requires a critical understanding to discuss and evaluate media messages and also the ability to synthesize a range of theoretical perspectives to examine contemporary issues in mass media with a reflective understanding.

Weekly Detailed Course Contents

Week Subject Related Preparation
1) Introduction to the course Concepts & Models “The Mass Communication Process” in McQuail’s Communication Theory, McQuail (2010) pp. 51-78.
2) Media – Society Theories: Overview Theory of Media & Theory of Society in McQuail’s Communication Theory, McQuail (2010) pp. 79-110. “Mass Communication, Popular Taste and Organized Social Action” Paul F. Lazarsfeld & Robert K. Merton, in Media Studies (Eds.) Marris & Thornham, (2000).
3) Critical Theories of Mass Media 1: Cultural Implications of Mechanical Reproduction Walter Benjamin’s “Work of Art” Essay Chp 1, Critical Theories of Mass Media, Taylor & Harris (2008) pp. 17-38. Summary & Response Essay 1: “Moral Solidarity & Technological Reproduction of Images” K, Tester. Media Culture & Society Journal, (1995)
4) Critical Theories of Mass Media 2: Culture Industries Theodor Adorno and The Culture Industry Chp 3, Critical Theories of Mass Media, Taylor & Harris (2008) pp. 62-84. “Culture Industry Reconsidered” Theodor W. Adorno, in Media Studies (Eds.) Marris & Thornham, (2000), pp. 31-37. Summary Response Essay 2: “Cultural Industries In the Digital Age: Some Provisional Conclusions” E. Bustamante, Media Culture & Society Journal (2004)
5) Critical Theories of Mass Media 3: Mass Communication & Culture Mass Communication & Culture Chp. 5, McQuail’s Communication Theory, McQuail (2000) pp. 111-134. Debate 1: “Mass Communication & Minority Culture” Raymond Williams, in Media Studies (Eds.) Marris & Thornham, (2000), pp. 44-50. “A Semiotic Analysis of Four Designer Clothing Advertisements” Stone (2000) “Social Anxiety, Class and Disaffedted Youth” in Media Culture, Kellner (1995)
6) Critical Theories of Mass Media 4: Media & Technology Marshall McLuhan’s Understanding of the Media Chp 4, Critical Theories of Mass Media, Taylor & Harris (2008) pp. 85-106. “The Medium is the Message” Marshall McLuhan, in Media Studies, Marris & Thornham (2000), pp. 38-43. Debate 2: “Podcasting & Political Life” MacDougall American Behavioral Scientist, (2011) “Requiem for the Media” from A Critique of Political Economy Of Sign” (Baudrillard)
7) Debates (Homework submission) & Midterm Debate Group 1 & 2 Midterm
8) Critical Theories of Mass Media 5: Communication as Ideology Communication as Ideology Chp. 8, Media & Communication, Scannell (2007), pp. 198-232. “Encoding / Decoding” Stuart Hall, in Media Studies, Marris & Thornham (2000), pp. 51-61. Debate 3: “Myth Today” from Mythologies (Barthes) “Media Culture, politics and ideology from Reagan to Rambo” in Media Culture, Kellner (1995)
9) Critical Theories of Mass Media 6: Mass Media & Public Sphere Normative Theory of Media & Society Chp. 7, McQuail’s Communication Theory, McQuail (2000) pp. 161-188. “The Public Sphere” J. Habermas, in Media Studies, Marris & Thornham (2000), pp. 92-98. Summary Response Essay 3: “The Virtual Sphere” Papacharissi, New Media & Society, (2002)
10) Critical Theories of Mass Media 7: Media & Consumerism Guy Debord’s Society of the Spectacle Chp 5, Critical Theories of Mass Media, Taylor & Harris (2008) pp. 107-127. Debate 4: “Towards a Genealogy and Typology of Spectacle : Some Comments on Debord” Roberts, Thesis Eleven, (2003). “Debord and the Postmodern Turn: New Stages of the Spectacle” (Best & Kellner) Chp 7 “Banality TV: the democratization of celebrity” in Critical Theories of Mass Media, Taylor & Harris (2008) pp. 155-176.
11) Critical Theories of Mass Media 8: New Media New Media – New Theory? Chp. 6, McQuail’s Communication Theory, McQuail (2000) pp. 135-160. Debate 5: “Boundaries and Borderlines: Reflections on Baudrillard and Critical Theory” “Mapping the present from the future: From Baudrillard to cyberpunk” Chp. 9, Media Culture, Kellner (1995) pp. 297-330.
12) Critical Theories of Mass Media 9: Social Media “The Masses: The Implosion of the Social Media” Jean Baudrillard, in Media Studies, Marris & Thornham (2000), pp. 99-108. Debate 6: “Media and the Arab uprisings of 2011: Research notes” Cottle, Journalism, (2011). “Video Justice : Crimes of Violence in Social/Media Space” Biressi & Nunn, Space & Culture, (2003). “Twitter: Microphone for the Masses” Murthy, Media, Culture & Society, (2011).
13) Critical Theories of Mass Media 10: Media & Social Control Debate 7 : Discuss a case(s) examplifying different ways of social control through media “Media Gatekeeping” pp 75-89 “The Agenda-Setting Role of News Media” pp 90-105 “Spiral of Silence: Communication and Public Opinion as Social Control” pp. 153-168 in An Integrated Approach to Communication Theory and Research. (Eds) Stacks & Salwen, (2009).
14) Debates (Homework submission) / Presentation Debate Groups 5,6 & 7

Sources

Course Notes / Textbooks: Dersin hocası tarafından temin edilecektir.
Will be provided by the professor
References: Dennis, McQuail. (2010). McQuail’s Communication Theory. London: Sage Publication.

Kellner, Douglas. (1995). Media Culture. London: Routledge.

Marris, Paul & Thornham, Sue. (2000). Media Studies (Eds.). NY: New York Univ. Press.

Kellner, Douglas. (1995). Media Culture. NY: Routledge.

Stacks W. Don & Salwen, Michael Brian. (2009). An Integrated Approach to Communication Theory and Research. (Eds). NY: Taylor & Francis.

Taylor, Paul & Harris, Jean Ll. (2008). Critical Theories of Mass Media. Berkshire: Open University Press.

Media Culture & Society Journal, Thesis Eleven

Evaluation System

Semester Requirements Number of Activities Level of Contribution
Attendance 14 % 10
Homework Assignments 2 % 20
Presentation 1 % 10
Midterms 1 % 20
Final 1 % 40
Total % 100
PERCENTAGE OF SEMESTER WORK % 60
PERCENTAGE OF FINAL WORK % 40
Total % 100

ECTS / Workload Table

Activities Number of Activities Duration (Hours) Workload
Course Hours 14 3 42
Study Hours Out of Class 14 3 42
Presentations / Seminar 1 10 10
Homework Assignments 2 10 20
Midterms 1 2 2
Final 1 2 2
Total Workload 118

Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes

No Effect 1 Lowest 2 Low 3 Average 4 High 5 Highest
           
Program Outcomes Level of Contribution
1) Integrates the knowledge, skills and attitudes acquired from basic and clinical medical sciences, behavioral sciences and social sciences, and uses them in health service delivery.
2) In patient management, shows a biopsychosocial approach that takes into account the socio-demographic and sociocultural background of the individual, regardless of language, religion, race and gender.
3) In the provision of health services, prioritizes the protection and development of the health of individuals and society.
4) Taking into account the individual, societal, social and environmental factors affecting health; does the necessary work to maintain and improve the state of health.
5) By recognizing the characteristics, needs and expectations of the target audience, provides health education to healthy/sick individuals and their relatives and other healthcare professionals.
6) Shows a safe, rational and effective approach in health service delivery, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, follow-up and rehabilitation processes.
7) Performs invasive and/or non-invasive procedures in diagnosis, treatment, follow-up and rehabilitation processes in a safe and effective way for the patient.
8) Provides health services by considering patient and employee health and safety.
9) In the provision of health services, takes into account the changes in the physical and socioeconomic environment on a regional and global scale, as well as the changes in the individual characteristics and behaviors of the people who apply to it.
10) Takes good medical practice into account while carrying out his/her profession.
11) Fulfills its duties and obligations within the framework of ethical principles, rights and legal responsibilities required by its profession.
12) Demonstrates decisive behavior in providing high-quality health care, taking into account the integrity of the patient.
13) Evaluates his/her performance in his/her professional practice by considering his/her emotions and cognitive characteristics.
14) Advocates improving the provision of health services by considering the concepts of social reliability and social responsibility for the protection and development of public health.
15) Can plan and carry out service delivery, training and consultancy processes related to individual and community health in cooperation with all components for the protection and development of health.
16) Evaluates the impact of health policies and practices on individual and community health indicators and advocates increasing the quality of health services.
17) The physician attaches importance to the protection of his/her own physical, mental and social health, and does what is necessary for this
18) Shows exemplary behavior and leads the healthcare team during service delivery.
19) Uses resources cost-effectively, for the benefit of society and in accordance with the legislation, in the planning, implementation and evaluation processes of health services in the health institution he/she is the manager of.
20) Establishes positive communication within the health team it serves and assumes different team roles when necessary.
21) Is aware of the duties and responsibilities of the health workers in the health team and acts accordingly.
22) In the professional practices, works in harmony and effectively with the colleagues and other professional groups.
23) Communicates effectively with patients, their relatives, healthcare professionals, other professional groups, institutions and organizations.
24) Communicates effectively with individuals and groups that require a special approach and have different socio-cultural characteristics.
25) In the diagnosis, treatment, follow-up and rehabilitation processes, shows a patient-centered approach that associates the patient with the decision-making mechanisms.
26) Plans and implements scientific research, when necessary, for the population it serves, and uses the results and/or the results of other research for the benefit of the society.
27) Reaches and critically evaluates current literature knowledge about his/her profession.
28) Applies the principles of evidence-based medicine in clinical decision making.
29) Uses information technologies to increase the effectiveness of its work on health care, research and education.
30) Effectively manages individual work processes and career development.
31) Demonstrates skills in acquiring and evaluating new knowledge, integrating it with existing knowledge, applying it to professional situations and adapting to changing conditions throughout professional life.
32) Selects the right learning resources to improve the quality of the health service it offers, organizes its own learning process