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Questions and Answers
What is a key objective of the course on media and communication theories?
What is a key objective of the course on media and communication theories?
Which of the following subjects is covered in Week 2 of the course?
Which of the following subjects is covered in Week 2 of the course?
What type of assignment is scheduled for Week 6?
What type of assignment is scheduled for Week 6?
The course includes how economic and political forces influence which of the following areas?
The course includes how economic and political forces influence which of the following areas?
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In the context of the course, what is the focus of Week 5?
In the context of the course, what is the focus of Week 5?
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One of the key concepts to be studied throughout the course relates to:
One of the key concepts to be studied throughout the course relates to:
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What will students learn about in regards to media upon completion of the course?
What will students learn about in regards to media upon completion of the course?
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How are individual presentations structured throughout the course?
How are individual presentations structured throughout the course?
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What is one key sociological concern related to mass media?
What is one key sociological concern related to mass media?
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Which of the following best defines a theory in the context of media studies?
Which of the following best defines a theory in the context of media studies?
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Who is recognized for their contributions to media theories regarding representation and encoding/decoding?
Who is recognized for their contributions to media theories regarding representation and encoding/decoding?
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What role do mass media play in society according to popular assumptions?
What role do mass media play in society according to popular assumptions?
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Where do media and communication theories primarily derive from?
Where do media and communication theories primarily derive from?
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Why is a sociological perspective important in media studies?
Why is a sociological perspective important in media studies?
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Which of the following is NOT a functional aspect of mass media in society?
Which of the following is NOT a functional aspect of mass media in society?
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What is a primary outcome of the pervasive nature of mass media?
What is a primary outcome of the pervasive nature of mass media?
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What is the primary goal of socialization within a culture?
What is the primary goal of socialization within a culture?
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Which statement best describes the social construction of reality?
Which statement best describes the social construction of reality?
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In the context of media content production, which of the following reflects agency?
In the context of media content production, which of the following reflects agency?
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What does 'structure' refer to in the context of media production?
What does 'structure' refer to in the context of media production?
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What is one consequence of the tension between structure and agency in media?
What is one consequence of the tension between structure and agency in media?
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What influences the choices of television content executives the most?
What influences the choices of television content executives the most?
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How is social structure partially shaped according to the concept of agency?
How is social structure partially shaped according to the concept of agency?
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Which dynamic best describes the relationship between commerce and creativity in media?
Which dynamic best describes the relationship between commerce and creativity in media?
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What significant advancement in printing was developed in Korea around the year 1200?
What significant advancement in printing was developed in Korea around the year 1200?
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Which year saw the introduction of the modern hand-operated printing press?
Which year saw the introduction of the modern hand-operated printing press?
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What characterizes mass communication based on the information provided?
What characterizes mass communication based on the information provided?
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In which regions did the first newspapers appear during the 1600s?
In which regions did the first newspapers appear during the 1600s?
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What was a primary innovation in papermaking that occurred around the year 100?
What was a primary innovation in papermaking that occurred around the year 100?
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Which technology was introduced in the 1920s that influenced media and broadcasting?
Which technology was introduced in the 1920s that influenced media and broadcasting?
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Which of the following innovations directly preceded the development of the printing press?
Which of the following innovations directly preceded the development of the printing press?
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What was the earliest form of book printing using a single piece of wood block for an entire page of text?
What was the earliest form of book printing using a single piece of wood block for an entire page of text?
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Study Notes
Course Information
- The course is Media & Communication Theory: Introduction
- Taught by Dr. Michael L. Wayne, Assistant Professor of Media and Creative Industries
- His email address is: [email protected]
- Office hours are by appointment, located in the Van der Goot building, M8-39
- The primary text for the course is Media/Society (7th ed.) by Croteau, Hoynes, & Childress, published by Sage
- Students should bring their book to all tutorials
- The course requires students to take a final exam which includes 30 multiple choice questions and 2 open questions.
- The exam covers:
- Theories and concepts
- General developments/trends in the field of media and major research findings as discussed in the book
- Topics, concepts, or theories that are not mentioned explicitly in the book chapters
- Researchers associated with particular theories or concepts (e.g. Stuart Hall, Marshall McLuhan, Daniel Boorstin).
Course Objectives
- Students are expected to develop knowledge and understanding of the following:
- The main theoretical approaches and perspectives to the study of mass mediated communication in historical perspective
- Key concepts and approaches to the study of media contents, media production, media reception, media uses and media influences
- Influences on media contents, processes of media production, distribution and reception, uses and influences of media.
Course Outline
- The course is divided into weekly topics:
- Week 1 - Introduction: What can we learn by studying the media industries from a sociological perspective?
- Week 2 - Technology: How can we understand the relationship between technological developments and social change?
- Week 3 - Industry: How do economic and political forces influence the media industries?
- Week 4 - Industry: How do media professionals go about their work?
- Week 5 - Content: How can we understand the relationship between media content and society?
- Week 6 - Users: What are people doing with media?
- Week 7 - Users: What are media doing to people?
- Week 8 - Conclusions: Media and communication technologies, media industries, content and users in a globalising world.
Key Course Concepts
Theory
- Theory is a systematic explanation for observations related to a particular aspect of life.
- Mass media exert an often-overlooked influence on society.
- A key sociological concern is the tension between structure and agency.
Socialization
- Socialization is the process of learning and internalizing the values, beliefs, and norms of our culture.
- This process helps develop a sense of self.
Social Construction of Reality
- The social construction of reality is the process of shaping reality through social interaction.
- While reality exists, its meaning is negotiated through interactions.
Structure
- Structure refers to recurring patterns in social behaviors.
Agency
- Agency is intentional and undetermined human action.
Tension Between Structure and Agency
- There is tension between structure and agency in the media industries.
- Structure influences and constrains agency.
Media History
- Papermaking began in China in 100 AD
- Printing using carved wood blocks was developed in China in 600 AD
- The first books were printed with wood blocks around 800 AD
- Movable clay type began in China in 1000 AD
- Movable metal type was developed in Korea in 1200 AD
- The first newspapers appeared in Germany, France and Belgium in 1600 AD
- The modern, hand-operated printing press with movable type was developed in Germany in 1450 AD
Mass Communication
- The advent of mass communication ushered in an era of mass media with a known sender and an anonymous audience.
- Mass media content is typically distributed one-way.
- The development of mass communication enabled and contributed to the changes to the distribution of both information and ideologies.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the key theories and concepts from the Media & Communication Theory course. This quiz will cover major research findings, developments in the media field, and notable researchers associated with theoretical frameworks discussed in the primary text, Media/Society (7th ed.). Prepare to engage with a mix of multiple choice and open-ended questions.
