Minor of Media Analysis

Rationale:

The mass media, more than ever before, play a vital role in how information is disseminated and how societies are shaped and function. As traditional forms of media and information dissemination change rapidly in an increasingly technological world, it is more important than ever for students to understand the way that media work as well as learn to evaluate the messages that are sent.

All students can benefit from the study of mass communications institutions, functions and techniques. In this minor, students will learn to understand the roles that media play, how they are changing and their impact. They will be given the tools they need to critically evaluate, analyze and interpret media messages in order to become wise consumers of media themselves.

Requirements:

The Minor of Media Analysis consists of 18 semester hours of course work. This is a requirement consistent with many other minor programs at Arizona State University and at other colleges and universities.

The focus of the program is on media analysis: Students in the minor will concentrate on evaluating the impact of information dissemination rather than on topics that focus on the practice of gathering and distributing messages. Students in the minor may not register for courses in the professional journalism curriculum.

To take upper-division courses, the student must be at least a sophomore (25 semester hours). To pursue the minor in Media Analysis, the student must maintain a minimum 2.00 overall GPA, obtain a minimum grade of “C” (2.00) in each course in the minor, and have a major other than Journalism and Mass Communication.

Three specific classes will be required (9 hours). The required classes are:

MCO 120 Media and Society. (3) fall, spring, summer
Role of newspapers, magazines, radio, television, and motion pictures in American society. Credit is allowed for only MCO 120 or 110.
General Studies: SB

MCO 240 Media Issues in American Pop Culture. (3) fall and spring and summer
The production and consumption of popular culture as disseminated by the mass media with emphasis on the societal implications. Lecture, discussion.

MCO 418 History of Mass Communication. (3) fall
American journalism from its English and colonial origins to the present day. Development and influence of newspapers, magazines, radio, television, and news gathering agencies. General Studies: SB, H

MCO 498 Media Analysis Senior Seminar. (3) fall, spring
Analysis of a problem, function or situation inherent in contemporary media. Students must present an analysis of that example in the form of a mini-thesis to a small enrollment class.

In addition, students select three additional courses (9 hours) from the list of electives offered by the Walter Cronkite School. (The common element of these courses is that they focus on understanding specific aspects of the mass media and how those aspects impact individuals and societies in terms of function, effects, and enculturation.)

MCO 200 Introduction to the Electronic Media (3) fall and spring
Electronic media in the United States; history, regulation, organization, programming, and effects.

MCO 240 Media Issues in American Pop Culture. (3) fall and spring and summer
The production and consumption of popular culture as disseminated by the mass media with emphasis on the societal implications. Lecture, discussion.

MCO 418 History of Mass Communication. (3) fall and summer
American journalism from its English and colonial origins to the present day. Development and influence of newspapers, magazines, radio, television, and news gathering agencies. General Studies: SB, H

MCO 430 International Mass Communication. (3) fall, spring and summer
Comparative study of communication and media systems. Information gathering and dissemination under different political and cultural systems. General Studies: G

MCO 435 Emerging Media Technologies. (3) fall and spring
New mass communication technologies and media distribution platforms in a convergent Mass Media environment.

MCO 440 Applied Media Research. (3) fall and spring
Designing, conducting and analyzing applied media research. Students participate in the Cronkite/Eight poll. Lab setting.

MCO 450 Visual Communication. (3) fall and spring
Theory and tradition of communication through the visual media with emphasis on the continuity of traditions common to modern visual media. General Studies: HU

MCO 460 Race, Gender, and Media. (3) fall, spring and summer
Readings seminar designed to give a probing examination of the interface between AHANA Americans and the mass media in the United States. Lecture, discussion. Cross-listed as AFR 460. Credit is allowed for only AFR 460 or MCO 460. General Studies: C

MCO 473 Sex, Love, and Romance in the Mass Media. (3) fall and spring
The role of the mass media in constructing and/or reinforcing unrealistic mythic and stereotypic images of sex, love, and romance. Lecture, discussion. General Studies: SB.

Or Special Topic courses such as:

MCO 494 Sports and Media. (3) selected semesters

MCO 494 War and the Mass Media. (3) selected semesters