The course investigates cultural traditions as expressed through popular culture. In addition to examining various television genres, the course also considers feature films, the recording industry, the popular press, and performing arts. Four critical papers are assigned, plus a midterm and final examination. See description above. Introduction to Group Communication.
Emphasis is given to the oral communication process in small group problem-solving situations.
Reading materials include selected readings on oral communication and small group research. 103 and junior standing. With a focus on television, this course examines approaches to the criticism of mass media. The first part looks at approaches from impact and functional studies to aesthetic and mythic analyses. Part II of the course applies analysis to selected TV genres - soap operas, sitcoms, variety and talk shows, children's programming, MTV, and news, among others.