POLS 306: The
Mass Media and Politics
Dr. Rebecca J. Hannagan
406 Zulauf Hall – 753-9675
Office Hours:
Course Objective:
In this class we will broadly examine media-based politics
in the
Media-based Politics for Citizens: In the year 2008 it seems like you are nobody if you are not on television or have a web presence (i.e. consider the current fascination with reality t.v., online social networks such as MySpace and Facebook, and the explosion of YouTube). Image and images are everything. In this class we will talk about the political implications of an image-based media environment. Instant and continuous connectivity are an important feature of internet-based forms of media as well, and this also has political implications. Once considered a promising new frontier, we will examine whether e-democracy is living up to democratic ideals.
Media-based Politics for Leaders: No longer confined to elections and campaigns, media appeals have become standard fare in the day-to-day conduct of government. Such appeals are used by private interests as well as by official decision makers to further partisan and self-serving objectives. Most politicians have a web presence and regularly appear on popular talk shows to “spin” issues in an attempt to appeal to the public. In short, the use and misuse of media by political elites for political purposes has transformed the practice of leadership and governance and raises questions about democratic process and policy outcomes.
Course Materials:
You are expected to have your reading done each day before you come to class. It is important that you come to class prepared to discuss the material.
Calculation of Grades:
Your grade in this course will consist of your performance on three exams, a blog you will create and maintain, and a research paper. The following is a breakdown of how the grades will be weighted:
Exam 1 20% Blog 20%
Exam 2 20% Research Paper 20%
Exam 3 20%
I will adhere to the following grading scale:
|
100-97%
= A+ |
89-87%
= B+ |
79-77%
= C+ |
69-67%
= D+ |
59%
< = F |
|
96-93%
= A |
86-83%
= B |
76-73%
= C |
66-63%
= D |
|
|
92-90%
= A- |
82-80%
= B- |
72-70%
= C- |
62-60%
= D- |
|
General
Information:
Blackboard is your friend. Check it often for announcements. I reserve the right to modify the schedule in
the interest of time or due to the difficulty of the material. If I decide to modify the schedule I will
notify the class immediately upon my decision and post an announcement on
Blackboard. If changes are made and you
are not aware of them because you do not regularly attend class or choose to
sleep during class there will be no exceptions made to accommodate you. It is in your best interest to attend
every class and pay attention to the material being covered.
No cell phone use during class (including text messaging). Please turn your cell phones off (and not just on vibrate). No laptop or pda use during class. Do not text message, read the newspaper or sleep during class. Do not come late or leave early. These are inappropriate behaviors for a university class and are disruptive to your peers. Be respectful of those who are interested in being active participants in their education.
This syllabus is a contract between me (the professor) and you (the student). The syllabus will be available on Blackboard throughout the semester for your reference. If you have any questions about the policies set forth in the syllabus, I highly recommend that you talk to me during the first week of classes. It is at that time that any significant changes can be made. After that, if you choose to remain in the class I assume that you agree to the policies and procedures I have set forth in the syllabus.
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
For important information on the Department of Political Science, please visit: http://polisci.niu.edu/
Academic Dishonesty:
The maintenance of academic honesty and integrity is of vital concern to the Department of Political Science and the University community. Any student found guilty of academic dishonesty shall be subject to both academic and disciplinary sanctions. If I find that you have plagiarized your academic work, you will receive an F on the assignment – no exceptions. If you are caught cheating, falsifying, or otherwise misrepresenting your work twice you will fail the class. In addition, if I suspect academic dishonesty your name will be turned over to the Chair of the Political Science Department who will make a determination as to further disciplinary action which may include academic probation or expulsion.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, the following: cheating, fabrication and falsification, plagiarism, and misrepresentation to avoid academic work.
Tentative Schedule:
August 26: Introduction and course overview
August 28: No Class (I will be attending the American Political Science
Association Conference)
I. Democratic Foundations, the Rise of
New Media, and the Behavior of the Press
September 2: The Press and Democratic Process
September 4: The Media Marketplace
September 9: The Media Marketplace
September 11: The Rise of New Media
September 16: The Rise of New Media
September 18: The Rise of New Media
September 23: Reporters, Official Sources, and the Decline of Adversarial Journalism
September 25: Film – “Good Night and Good Luck”
September 30: The Decline of Adversarial Journalism
October 2: Exam 1
II. Shaping the News: Candidates, Advocacy Groups, and Elected
Officials
October 7: Campaigning Through the Media
October 9: Campaigning Through the Media
October 14: Campaigning Through the Media
October 16: Going Public
October 21: Going Public
October 23: Exam 2
III. Media Effects
October 28: Television Effects
October 30: Television Effects
November 4: Newspaper Effects
November 6: Gender and Media: Television, Film and Advertising
November 11: Gender and Media: Campaigns
November 13: Film –
“Mad as Hell”
November 18: Race, Gender and Framing in Elections
November 20: Race and Media: Television, Film and Advertising
November 25: Race and
Media: Campaigns
November 27: No Class
(Thanksgiving
December 2: News and Public Opinion
December 4: Campaigns that Matter
December 9: Campaigns that Matter
December 11: Exam 3