The Social Impact of Mass Media: The Horror Film in Media and Popular Culture
Time: Wed 6-8:50PM
INSTRUCTOR: LILLIAN RUIZ
Phone: 775-1236
Office: N328A
Office
Hours: M/W 12-1, T/Th 9-10, or by
appointment
Mailbox: Humanities
Office
E-mail:
ruiz@gcc.mass.edu
Course Blog: cmn201.blogspot.com
TEXTS:
TProjected Fears: Horror Films
and American Culture – Phillips
Nightmares in Red, White, and
Blue – Maddrey
Horror Film: A Critical
Introduction – Leeder
Note: It is assumed that
students will have a good dictionary and thesaurus for reference.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
An in-depth,
focused analysis of a specific theme/topic in
mass media
(film, TV, print, music, and video games) in order to examine social
and cultural
issues such as race, class, and gender. Each semester the
instructor selects the
topic or major theme of the course. Prereq:
ENG 101
Recommended:
Media and Popular Culture (CMN 153)
INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES:
1.
Summarize
scholarship of various mass media so to understand mass media’s
academic
relevance.
2.
Recognize
and articulate symbolic and metaphoric meanings in various mass
media so to
improve critical thinking skills.
3.
Identify
and analyze the cultural significance of mass media so to understand
the
influence of mass media in our society.
4.
Gather
and appraise examples of various mass media so to identify some of the
cultural
and social anxieties in our society.
5.
Explain
in oral and written form the uses, meanings, and popularity of
mass media so to
improve oral and written communication skills.
6.
Understand
and draw connections between mass media and oneself, others,
and society at
large so to identify mass media’s social, political, and cultural influence.
7.
Evaluate
and interpret data on the use and popularity of various mass media so
to
improve analytical skills.
8.
Examine social issues such as race, class, and
gender portrayed in various
mass media so to better understand such issues in
our own society.
PROCEDURES:
Procedures
include class discussion, group work, mini-lectures and reading/writing
assignments that emphasize critical thinking and critical analysis.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Students are
expected to complete all reading and writing assignments by the due date.
Students will submit periodic journal entries discussing their reactions to the
various
media (see JOURNAL). A final exam will also be given.
INSTITUTIONAL SERVICES DISABILITY STATEMENT:
Greenfield Community College values inclusion and equal access to
its programs and activities
and is committed to fostering an environment of
respect and full participation. Our goal is to
create learning
environments that are equitable, inclusive, and welcoming. If there are
aspects
of the instruction or design of this course that result in barriers to
your inclusion or accurate
assessment or achievement, please notify the
instructor as soon as possible. If you are a
student with a disability
and may need reasonable academic accommodations, please
contact the Office of
Disability Services (ODS) as soon as possible to discuss your needs
and
options. The ODS is located on the fourth floor of the Core in the
Wellness Center, C423.
For an appointment, please call (413) 775-1332.
RESPONSE JOURNAL:
The journals
are meant as an opportunity for students to analyze media. Guidelines will be
very informal, as each student should use the journals as an opportunity to
explore the media
in the way he or she feels would be most beneficial. Some
suggestions will be given in
class, but on the whole the journals should
reflect whatever relevant thoughts, questions,
etc. the individual student has
about a particular form of media. The journals will also
provide an excellent
opportunity to brainstorm and freewrite project topics and
final examination
questions. Journals should be typed or
handwritten in blue or black
ink on loose paper (NOT in a notebook) and
numbered. They will be collected on a
regular basis and graded. Journals will
be graded excellent, good, satisfactory, less
than satisfactory, or unsatisfactory. Late journals will lower your grade by one
full grade and no late journal will be accepted after one week has elapsed
unless you have
made other arrangements with me beforehand. Please use a staple
if your journal is over
1 page long.
ATTENDANCE:
Class activity
and discussion is extremely important and cannot be made up. Thus,
absences and
tardiness will be negatively reflected in your participation grade (while each
case is different, anything more than 1 absence could lower your grade). In the
event
that you absolutely must be absent, you are required to obtain
that day’s notes and
assignments from another student. Excessive absences could
result in failure. You do not
need to notify me that you are going to be absent
for a particular class. However, do
speak with me if you miss several classes.
CONSULTATIONS:
Students may
meet with me by appointment.
COURSE PROJECT:
The final
course project is a written analysis of a representation of horror film in a
particular
mass medium, although there is room for more creative approaches
(guidelines will be
discussed in class). It is due on or before the last
day of class (early submissions
encouraged). Text should be typed,
double-spaced, and have one inch borders.
Pages should be numbered. Papers
should also be stapled and include a cover page.
Cover pages should include a
title, your name, the course and section #, my name, and
the due date.
Note: Students may have the option to
revise their graded project, subject to permission
of instructor. Consult with
me if you wish to revise. The original project must be submitted
with the
revision.
PLAGIARISM:
Plagiarism is
defined by the Modern Language Handbook: Fourth Edition as “
us[ing]
another person’s ideas or expressions in your writing without
acknowledging the
source” (26). DO NOT plagiarize in your papers or
writing. Plagiarism can result
in stiff classroom penalties, and may also lead
to college disciplinary action.
GRADING (approximate
percentages):
10% Participation (attendance, in-class
assignments and activities, etc.)
30% Journal
30% Course Project
30% Final Exam
100%
A = Excellent, B = Good, C =
Satisfactory, D = Poor, F = Failing
Criteria for
Essay Evaluation
The A Paper
The
A paper develops a clear central idea with originality and depth of thought and
displays a consistent sense of audience. Its topic is developed with clear and
logical supporting ideas.
The
organization is sound. Each paragraph has a core idea supported by fitting
examples and illustrations. Paragraphs are joined to those following and those
before with smooth links.
Sentences
are well put together and varied.
The
paper is free of common errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
The B Paper
The
B paper has a clearly stated central idea but lacks energy or depth of thought.
It draws safe conclusions. The topic is interesting, focused adequately and
logically developed.
Organization
is correct and logical, but strains a little. Each paragraph has a central
idea, examples, or illustrations, and a logical point. Some of the transitions
between paragraphs are smooth.
Sentences
have little variety in structure.
The
paper is largely free of common errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
The C Paper
The
C paper has a reasonably clear central idea and shows adequate grasp of the
reason for the assignment (such as direction, description, persuasion) but
focus is blurred in places. The development with examples or illustrations is
sketchy in some spots.
The
organization is not altogether clear. Most paragraphs have a sense of
organization, but development is vague and transitions between paragraphs are
awkward or lacking.
There
are some patterns of mistakes in grammar, spelling, and punctuation, but
overall, the paper is without serious errors.
The D Paper
The
D paper does not state of develop a central idea, though the pattern shows the
writer has some central concept. The sense of audience is inconsistent.
The
organization is hard to follow, and frequently paragraphs seem to lack a
central idea. Transitions between paragraphs are scanty or absent.
Sentences
are awkward or incorrectly constructed. The writing does not indicate
college-level proficiency.
There
are frequent errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
The F Paper
The
F paper states no central idea, and has no connection to a single topic. The
writing is contradictory and characterized by many apparent changes of subject.
No
evidence of overall editing or writing beyond a first draft stage is evident.
Most
sentences have errors in construction.
Paragraphing
is haphazard.
There
are many errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
