COMM 340: Current Issues in Mass Media

Spring 2008 Syllabus

T, TH, 2 p.m.-3:20 p.m.
Whipple Hall, Room 215
Adjunct Professor Richard C. Lewis
Office Hours: Thursdays, 3:30 p.m.- 4 p.m.
Phone: 401-456-9563 (please leave a message with your phone number)
E-mail: richclew@hotmail.com (I will let you know when I get a RIC e-mail address)

Course Description
In Current Issues in Mass Media, we will cover some of the major stories being covered by
broadcast and print journalists. The stories will include the 2008 U.S. presidential campaign,
climate change, the economy, events overseas and other subjects as they arise. I plan to sprinkle
in popular culture, music and war, and sports as well.
We will examine these stories primarily in the context of how the media cover them. Was
coverage fair and balanced? Was it accurate? Why is it a story? How deep should the media
delve into a public figures life? What information should be made public or kept private? Is free
speech threatened? How does online journalism affect traditional media? We will discuss these
questions and other contemporary topics.
I want this course to be lively, entertaining and informative. I am a journalist, and Im in the
thick of things every day. Its fun! I hope you will come away from this course with a broader

understanding how journalism is practiced and the issues the media cover, so you will be a more
educated and discerning news consumer.

Course Objectives
The media are the primary collectors and disseminators of information in our society. Chances
are a story that youve read, heard or viewed originated with the media. And often those stories
affect us in some way. They shape the decisions we make, the relationships we have and with
whom and the way we choose to live. A robust, independent and free media are a key pillar to a
democracy.
And we are, or should be, participants in our democracy. It is important to know what is going on
locally and in the world because events and the people who make them and shape them
influence our lives. The more we understand these current issues and can judge their value, the
more effectively we can participate in society for the public good.
To that end, you will become aware of current issues in the mass media by:
Regularly reading of the news in The Providence Journal (http://www.projo.com)
Regularly watching NBCs Meet the Press program. Watch live on WJAR-TV (Ch.
10) or watch taped show online at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032608/ (click on
Netcast to view the most recent show)
Participating in weekly class discussions of topics in the news
Preparing and presenting a class discussion on a topic of your choice
Researching and writing a paper on a topic of your choice
Required Texts
There are no required textbooks for this class. However, you will be required to read The
Providence Journal daily and watch Meet the Press weekly. I also will assign readings
periodically either by handout or posting them on the class blog, http://
www.riccomm340sp08.blogspot.com. You will need to check the blog regularly to keep track
with reading assignments.
Course Policies
1. Participation/Readings. Please come prepared for class by doing the assigned readings and be
ready to discuss them. I reserve the right to call upon students at will. Dont make me resort to

doing that. A bonus to being prepared is well have more lively discussions, and youll learn
much more.
2. Attendance. I am not a police officer, so please dont force me to act like one. Attend class. If
you cannot make a class, I ask you to send me an e-mail or leave a phone message beforehand
explaining why. You are responsible for all the material presented in class on missed days.
Arrange to have someone in class take notes for you and ask them to pick up extra copies of any
materials distributed in class.
3. Office Hours: Office hours are Thursdays (beginning Jan. 31), from 3:30 p.m to 4 p.m. You
are welcome to visit. If you fall behind, get confused or become even modestly lost, drop by
immediately. If you dont understand something or are having difficulty, come to office hours.
Im happy to talk with you.
4. Academic honesty: Plagiarism is representing someone else's work as your own. It includes
(but is not limited to) submitting a paper someone else has written, copying from a friend or
roommate, buying a paper on the Internet and taking copy from books, magazines or other
sources without attribution. Fabrication is making up quotes or other information in a story or
paper. Recycling is submitting the same assignment to two different courses. You will fail the
course if you breach any of these standards.
NOTE: The same guidelines apply for electronic assignments and for tests or quizzes. Any
sharing of information, code, etc. that interferes with my ability to assess your learning as your
own will be grounds for failing the course. This applies to tests, quizzes and out-of-class work.
5. Tests. I do not offer makeup tests. If you miss a test, you receive a grade of zero. The only
exceptions are for a family emergency or an act of God. And I will check your reason for missing
an exam (I am a journalist, after all). If you do have a valid excuse and miss a test, you are
required to discuss alternatives with me.
6. Cell phones and other classroom courtesies: Please remember to turn off your cell phone
before class begins. Do what you need to do snacks, bathroom breaks, phone calls, etc.
before class begins. Class time is my time, and I expect you to respect that.
Grading
Attendance & Participation

15 percent

Weekly Discussion Board

(Due each Tuesday before class)

25 percent

Research Presentation

25 percent

Research Paper

35 percent

Course Schedule
The course schedule includes a snapshot of what will be discussed in class that day and your
assignment for the next class. All readings are to be completed for the class indicated.
Please note the deadlines for research topic approval, draft outline of your paper, and the
date when your research paper is due.
I may amend the course schedule as events and time warrant. I will send you a revised syllabus if
any major changes are made.
Calendar of Classes
Jan. 22

Introduction

Jan. 24

Introduction to the Media, Syllabus Review

Assignment for next class: Complete presidential profile research

Jan. 29

Presidential Candidates
Assignment for next class: You are a reporter. List two questions youd ask
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick at a press conference.

Jan. 31

What Athletes and Coaches Say: Sports and the Press Conference
Assignment for next class: Read professor handout
Note: Feb. 4 is last day to add courses

Feb. 5

Super-duper Tuesday
Weekly discussion post due before class
Assignment for next class: Follow presidential primary returns

Feb. 7

Presidential Primaries Results and Analysis

Assignment for next class: TBA

Feb. 12

Global Warming Myth or Fact?

Weekly discussion post due before class

Assignment for next class: TBA
Feb. 14

An Inconvenient Truth
Deadline for Research Topic Approval
Assignment for next class: TBA

Feb. 19

How the media have covered climate change

Weekly discussion post due before class
Assignment for next class: TBA

Feb. 21

International Polar Year 2008

Assignment for next class: TBA

Feb. 26

The Writers Strike and the Oscars

Weekly discussion post due before class
Assignment for next class: TBA

Feb. 28

Celebrities vs. the Media

Assignment for next class: TBA

March 4

Rhode Island Votes

Weekly discussion post due before class
Assignment for next class: TBA

March 6

Wild Card
Research Paper Outline Due
No Assignment

March 11

No class Spring Recess

March 13

No class Spring Recess

March 18

Localizing the Big Story

Assignment for next class: TBA

March 20

Getting the Word Out

Assignment for next class: TBA

March 25

Why the World Matters

Weekly discussion post due before class
Assignment for next class: TBA

March 27

Music & War

Assignment for next class: TBA

April 1

Wild Card
Weekly discussion post due before class
Assignment for next class: TBA

April 3

Wild Card
Assignment for next class: TBA

April 8

Wild Card
Weekly discussion post due before class
Assignment for next class: TBA

April 10

Wild Card
Assignment for next class: TBA

April 15

Wild Card
Weekly discussion post due before class

April 17

Individual Presentations

April 22

Individual Presentations

April 24

Individual Presentations

April 29

Individual Presentations

May 1

Last Class
Research Paper Due