POLS 306: Mass
Media in American Politics
(Fall 2002)
| CONTENTS
1. Instructor
|
1.
Instructor: Prof. James Schubert
Office
address and phone: ZU 306/ 753-9675
Office Hours:
T, TH 1-2
[ Last updated by J. Schubert
on August 25, 2002.]
2. OBJECTIVES:
This course broadly examines the role of mass media
in modern American politics. Mass media include newspapers, radio, television
and the worldwide web. We pay special attention to the dramatic effects
of television on the quality and conduct of politics over the past 50 years
and will be concerned with the effects of the web over the coming decades.
Very current questions, for example, involve the effects of the rise in
negative political advertising and campaigning on the decline in voter
turnout in national elections or the effects of television on the role
and importance of political parties and their national
conventions. In addition to concern for how media
affect the attitudes and behavior of the public (e.g. stereotyping), we
shall also be concerned with how mass media have helped transform the process
of government in the presidency and administration, the legislature and
the courts. Finally, we consider the power of the media and efforts to
regulate and/or restrain the exercise of free speech through the mass media.
3. READINGS
Two textbooks provide most of the required readings
for this course.
(1) Doris A. Graber (2002) Mass Media &
American Politics. CQ Press
(2) Doris A. Graber (2000) Media Power in Politics.
4th Edition.
A few additional articles may be placed on library
reserve.
4. GRADES & REQUIREMENTS
Grades in the course will be based on three exams
(25% each), a term paper (20%), and assigned exercises and class participation
(5%). The term paper topic will be selected with my consent and the paper
will be approximately 10-12 pages, word processed, spell checked, and double
spaced.
5. ATTENDANCE
Attendance is expected and, needless to say, is a factor in class participation. Substantially different material is presented in lectures and the readings and both sources will be thoroughly covered by the examinations.
6. TOPICAL OUTLINE & READING ASSIGNMENTS
| WEEK | TOPIC | Text: MM&AP | Reader: MPP |
| 1. 8/27-29 | I. Role of Media in Politics | 1 | . |
| 2. 9/3-5 | -- Media Effects, Power & Control | 2 | 1,5 |
| 3. 9/10-12 | II. News, Press & Politics | 3,4 | 2 |
| 4. 9/17-19 | III. Mass Media & Agenda Setting | 5,6 | |
| 5. 9/24-26 | Exam1 9/26 | 7,8 | |
| 6. 10/1-3 | IV. Effects on Attitudes & Behavior | 7 | 23,24 |
| 7. 10/8-10 | 10,17,29 | ||
| 8. 10/15-17 | V. Campaigns & Elections | 8 | 13,14,16 |
| 9. 10/22-24 | tba: APSR | ||
| 10.10/29-31 | Exam2
10/31 or 11/5
VI. Presidency & Congress |
9 | |
| 11. 11/5-7 | 19,21,22. | ||
| 12. 11/12-14 | VII. Media & the Courts | 10 | 12 |
| 13. 11/19-21 | VII. Mass Media & Foreign Policy | 11 | 20,36 |
| 14. 11/26 | 26,27 | ||
| 15. 12/3-5 | VIII. New Technologies. | 12. | 36 |
| 16. Final Exam | Exam3 12/10 2-4pm | . | . |
7. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Undergraduate Writing Awards
The Department of Political
Science will recognize, on an annual basis,
outstanding undergraduate
papers written in conjunction with 300-400 level
political science courses
or directed studies. Authors do not have to be
political science majors or
have a particular class standing. Winners are
expected to attend the Department's
spring graduation ceremony where they
will receive a certificate
and $50.00. Papers, which can be submitted by
students or faculty, must
be supplied in triplicate to a department
secretary by February 28.
All copies should have two cover pages -- one
with the student's name and
one without the student's name. Only papers
written in the previous calendar
year can be considered for the award.
However, papers completed
in the current spring semester are eligible for
the following year's competition
even if the student has graduated.
Statement Concerning Students with Disabilities
Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973, NIU is committed to
making reasonable accommodations
for persons with documented disabilities.
Those students with disabilities
that may have some impact on their
coursework and for which they
may require accommodations should notify the
Center for Access-Ability
Resources (CAAR) on the fourth floor of the
Health Services Building.
CAAR will assist students in making appropriate
accommodations with course
instructors. It is important that CAAR and
instructors be informed of
disability-related needs during the first two
weeks of the semester.
Department of Political Science Web Site
Undergraduates are strongly
encouraged to consult the Department of Political Science web site on a
regular basis. This up-to-date,
central source of information will assist students in contacting faculty
and
staff, reviewing course requirements
and syllabi, exploring graduate study, researching career options, tracking
department events, and accessing important details related to undergraduate
programs and
activities. To reach the site,
go to: http://www.niu.edu/acad/polisci/pols.html