Students learn about the most important empirically testable theories of how mass media affect individuals and social organization. Students learn to read, evaluate, criticize, and synthesize the original research literature in which theories are developed and tested. Assignments vary from year to year, but they are always designed to exercize the student's ability to read and think critically, to synthesize theoretical arguments and to apply theories to specific issues. Bryant, Jennings and Zillmann, Dolf, Eds. 1994. Highly recommended as a resource by students from last year.
Methods are an implied part of the theoretical argument.
To learn how theories are constructed, tested, and applied to understanding mediated communication. To understand social science as a way of developing, testing, and refining theories about mass media. To build confidence in analyzing, criticizing, and constructing theoretical arguments. To gain familiarity with and facility in using current research literature in mass media. By the end of the quarter, undergraduate students are expected to be familiar with many of the major theories applicable to mass communication.