CJT 645 Course Description
A broad examination and critical analysis of major mass communication theories and research areas. Prereq: A course in research methods and graduate standing in communications or consent of instructor. Current students can download the syllabus and course readings through this password-protected CJT 645 course page..
CJT 645: Proseminar in Mass Communication Theory SYLLABUS
READINGS
January 16
This week we will meet and greet, outline the goals for the course and how we will attempt to meet them, and begin thinking about mass communication. We will try to develop a context for all our readings and activities that will help to identify connections among media and communications studies as well as tie mass communications with other social theory and scholarship.
Readings for January 23:
An overview of media effects theory and research/Audience accumulation and behavior
Lee, K. M., & Peng, W. (2006). What do we know about social and psychological effects of computer games? A comprehensive review of the current literature. In P. Vorderer & J. Bryant (Eds.), Playing video games: Motives, responses, and consequences (pp. 327-345). Mahwah , NJ : Lawrence Erlbaum.
Gauntlett: Chapters 1, 2 and 10
Classic expositions:
Klapper, J. (1960). The effects of mass communication . Glencoe , IL : Free Press. Read pages 1-97.
Audience accumulation.
Webster, J. G. (1998). The audience. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 42, 190-208 .
Recent study :
Williams, D. (2006). A brief social history of game play. In P. Vorderer & J. Bryant (Eds.), Playing video games: Motives, responses, and consequences (pp. 197-212). Mahwah , NJ : Lawrence Erlbaum.
January 23
An overview of media effects theory and research/Audience accumulation and behavior
McLeod, D. M., Kosicki, G. M., & McLeod, J. M. (2002). Resurveying the boundaries of political communications effects. In J. Bryant & D. Zillman (Eds.), Media effects: Advances in theory and research (2nd ed., pp. 215-267). Mahwah , NJ : Lawrence Erlbaum.
Lee, K. M., & Peng, W. (2006). What do we know about social and psychological effects of computer games? A comprehensive review of the current literature. In P. Vorderer & J. Bryant (Eds.), Playing video games: Motives, responses, and consequences (pp. 327-345). Mahwah , NJ : Lawrence Erlbaum.
Gauntlett: Chapters 1, 2 and 10
Classic expositions:
Klapper, J. (1960). The effects of mass communication . Glencoe , IL : Free Press. Read pages 1-97.
Audience accumulation.
Webster, J. G. (1998). The audience. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 42, 190-208 .
Recent study :
Recommended :
Mundorf, N. (2002). Social and psychological effects of information technologies and other interactive media. In J. Bryant & D. Zillman (Eds.), Media effects: Advances in theory and research (2nd ed., pp. 583-602). Mahwah , NJ : Lawrence Erlbaum.
Williams, D. (2006). A brief social history of game play. In P. Vorderer & J. Bryant (Eds.), Playing video games: Motives, responses, and consequences (pp. 197-212). Mahwah , NJ : Lawrence Erlbaum.
January 30
Cognitive information processing of media content .
Wicks, R. H. (2006). Media information processing. In J. Bryant & P. Vorderer (Eds.), Psychology of entertainment (pp. 85-102). Mahwah , NJ : Lawrence Erlbaum.
Shrum, L. J. (2006). Perception. In J. Bryant & P. Vorderer (Eds.), Psychology of entertainment (pp. 55-70). Mahwah , NJ : Lawrence Erlbaum.
Anderson, D. R., & Kirkorian, H. L. (2006). Attention and television. In J. Bryant & P. Vorderer (Eds.), Psychology of entertainment (pp. 35-54). Mahwah , NJ : Lawrence Erlbaum.
Harris, R. J., Cady, E. T., & Tran, Q. T. (2006). Comprehension and memory. In J. Bryant & P. Vorderer (Eds.), Psychology of entertainment (pp. 71-84). Mahwah , NJ : Lawrence Erlbaum.
Wirth, W. (2006). Involvement. In J. Bryant & P. Vorderer (Eds.), Psychology of entertainment (pp. 199-213). Mahwah , NJ : Lawrence Erlbaum.
Bryant, J., & Davies, J. (2006). Selective exposure processes. In J. Bryant & P. Vorderer (Eds.), Psychology of entertainment (pp. 19-33). Mahwah , NJ : Lawrence Erlbaum.
Recent study :
February 6
Learning from the media/Developmental effects
Roskos-Ewoldsen, D. R., Roskos-Ewoldsen, B., & Carpentier, F. R. D. (2002). Media priming: A synthesis. In J. Bryant & D. Zillman (Eds.), Media effects: Advances in theory and research (2nd ed., pp. 97-120). Mahwah , NJ : Lawrence Erlbaum.
Zillman, D. (2002). Exemplification theory and media influence. In J. Bryant & D. Zillman (Eds.), Media effects: Advances in theory and research (2nd ed., pp. 19-41). Mahwah , NJ : Lawrence Erlbaum.
Bandura, A. (2002). Social cognitive theory of mass communication. In J. Bryant & D. Zillman (Eds.), Media effects: Advances in theory and research (2nd ed., pp. 121-153). Mahwah , NJ : Lawrence Erlbaum.
Lieberman, D. A. (2006). What can we learn from playing interactive games? In P. Vorderer & J. Bryant (Eds.), Playing video games: Motives, responses, and consequences (pp. 379-397). Mahwah , NJ : Lawrence Erlbaum.
Fisch, S. M. (2002). Vast wasteland or vast opportunity? Effects of educational television on children's academic knowledge, skills, and attitudes. In J. Bryant & D. Zillman (Eds.), Media effects: Advances in theory and research (2nd ed., pp. 397-426). Mahwah , NJ : Lawrence Erlbaum.
Classic studies:
February 13
Media uses and gratifications
Vorderer, P., & Steen, F. F. (2006). Motivation. In J. Bryant & P. Vorderer (Eds.), Psychology of entertainment (pp. 3-17). Mahwah , NJ : Lawrence Erlbaum.
Rubin, A. M. (2002). The uses-and-gratifications perspective of media effects. In J. Bryant & D. Zillman (Eds.), Media effects: Advances in theory and research (2nd ed., pp. 525-548). Mahwah , NJ : Lawrence Erlbaum.
Zuckerman, M. (2006). Sensation seeking in entertainment. In J. Bryant & P. Vorderer (Eds.), Psychology of entertainment (pp. 367-387). Mahwah , NJ : Lawrence Erlbaum.
Klug, G. C., & Schell, J. (2006). Why people play games: An industry perspective. In P. Vorderer & J. Bryant (Eds.), Playing video games: Motives, responses, and consequences (pp. 91-100). Mahwah , NJ : Lawrence Erlbaum.
Knobloch-Westerwick, S. (2006). Mood management theory, evidence, and advancements. In J. Bryant & P. Vorderer (Eds.), Psychology of entertainment (pp. 239-254). Mahwah , NJ : Lawrence Erlbaum.
Classic studies :
February 20
***Midterm essay handed out in class***
Persuasion and attitude change
Petty, R. E., Priester, J. R., & Brinol, P. (2002). Mass media attitude change: Implications of the elaboration likelihood model of persuasion. In J. Bryant & D. Zillman (Eds.), Media effects: Advances in theory and research (2nd ed., pp. 155-198). Mahwah , NJ : Lawrence Erlbaum.
Rice, R. E., & Atkin, C. K. (2002). Communication campaigns: Theory, design, implementation, and evaluation. In J. Bryant & D. Zillman (Eds.), Media effects: Advances in theory and research (2nd ed., pp. 427-451). Mahwah , NJ : Lawrence Erlbaum.
Gauntlett: Chapter 6
Classic expositions :
Mendelsohn, H. (1973). Some reasons why information campaigns can succeed. Public Opinion Quarterly, 37 , 50-61.
Classic studies :
Hovland, C. I., Lumsdaine, A. A., & Sheffield , F. D. (1949). Short-time and long-time effects of an orientation film. In C. I. Hovland, A. A. Lumsdaine, & F. D. Sheffield (Eds.), Experiments on Mass Communication (pp. 182-200). Princeton , NJ : Princeton University .
Lazarsfeld, P. F., Berelson, B., & Gaudet, H. (1965). The people's choice . New York : Columbia University . Chapters V-XI; XIV-XVI.
Star, S. A., & Hughes, H. M. (1950). Report on an educational campaign: The Cincinnati plan for the United Nations. American Journal of Sociology, 55 , 389-400.
Recommended:
Katz, E., & Lazarsfeld, P. F. (1955). Personal influence: The part played by people in the flow of mass communications . Glencoe , IL : Free Press.
Stewart, D. W., Pavlou, P., & Ward, S. (2002). Media influences on marketing communications. In J. Bryant & D. Zillman (Eds.), Media effects: Advances in theory and research (2nd ed., pp. 353-396). Mahwah , NJ : Lawrence Erlbaum.
February 27
Constructing social reality: Cultivation and realism
***Midterm essay due***
Gerbner, G., Gross, L., Morgan, M., Signorielli, N., & Shanahan, J. (2002). Growing up with television: Cultivation processes. In J. Bryant & D. Zillman (Eds.), Media effects: Advances in theory and research (2nd ed., pp. 43-67). Mahwah , NJ : Lawrence Erlbaum.
Shrum, L. J. (2002). Media consumption and perceptions of social reality: Effects and underlying processes. In J. Bryant & D. Zillman (Eds.), Media effects: Advances in theory and research (2nd ed., pp. 69-95). Mahwah , NJ : Lawrence Erlbaum.
McCombs, M., & Reynolds, A. (2002). News influence on our pictures of the world. In J. Bryant & D. Zillman (Eds.), Media effects: Advances in theory and research (2nd ed., pp. 1-18). Mahwah , NJ : Lawrence Erlbaum.
Shapiro, M. A., Pena-Herborn, J., & Hancock, J. T. (2006). Realism, imagination, and narrative video games. In P. Vorderer & J. Bryant (Eds.), Playing video games: Motives, responses, and consequences (pp. 275-289). Mahwah , NJ : Lawrence Erlbaum.
Rhodes, N., & Hamilton, J. C. (2006). Attribution and entertainment: It's not who dunnit, it's why. In J. Bryant & P. Vorderer (Eds.), Psychology of entertainment (pp. 119-136). Mahwah , NJ : Lawrence Erlbaum.
Classic essay :
Lippmann, W. (1965). Public opinion . New York : The Free Press. “The world outside and the pictures in our heads.”
Classic studies :
March 6
Class Debate
There are no required readings for March 8. You will be busy looking up your own evidence to consider when approaching the debate topic.
March 13
Spring Break
March 20
Media and emotion
***Final Paper Topic Proposal Due***
Zillmann, D. (2006). Dramaturgy for emotions from fictional narration. In J. Bryant & P. Vorderer (Eds.), Psychology of entertainment (pp. 215-238). Mahwah , NJ : Lawrence Erlbaum.
Zillmann, D. (2006). Empathy: Affective reactivity to others' emotional experiences. In J. Bryant & P. Vorderer (Eds.), Psychology of entertainment (pp. 151-181). Mahwah , NJ : Lawrence Erlbaum.
Cantor, J. (2006). Why horror doesn't die: The enduring and paradoxical effects of frightening entertainment. In J. Bryant & P. Vorderer (Eds.), Psychology of entertainment (pp. 315-327). Mahwah , NJ : Lawrence Erlbaum.
Cohen, J. (2006). Audience identification with media characters. In J. Bryant & P. Vorderer (Eds.), Psychology of entertainment (pp. 183-197). Mahwah , NJ : Lawrence Erlbaum.
Klimmt, C., Hartmann, T., & Schramm, H. (2006). Parasocial interactions and relationships. In J. Bryant & P. Vorderer (Eds.), Psychology of entertainment (pp. 291-313). Mahwah , NJ : Lawrence Erlbaum.
Miron, D. (2006). Emotion and cognition in entertainment. In J. Bryant & P. Vorderer (Eds.), Psychology of entertainment (pp. 343-364). Mahwah , NJ : Lawrence Erlbaum.
Schreier, M. (2006). (Subjective) well-being. In J. Bryant & P. Vorderer (Eds.), Psychology of entertainment (pp. 389-404). Mahwah , NJ : Lawrence Erlbaum.
Classic exposition :
Horton, D., & Wohl, R. R. (1956). Mass communication and para-social interaction: Observations on intimacy at a distance. Psychiatry, 19 , 215-229.
Recent study :
Kinnick, K. N., Krugman, D. M., & Cameron, G. T. (1996). Compassion fatigue: Communication and burnout toward social problems. Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, 73 , 687-707.
March 27
Sex and violence
Anderson, C. A., & Bushman, B. J. (2001). Effects of violent video games on aggressive behavior, aggressive cognition, aggressive affect, physiological arousal, and prosocial behavior: A meta-analytic review of the scientific literature. Psychological Science, 12 , 353-359.
Ward, L. M. (2003). Understanding the role of entertainment media in the sexual socialization of American youth: A review of empirical research. Developmental Review, 23 , 347-388.
Gauntlett: Chapters 3, 4, 5 and 9
Schmitt, M., & Maes, J. (2006). Equity and justice. In J. Bryant & P. Vorderer (Eds.), Psychology of entertainment (pp. 273-289). Mahwah , NJ : Lawrence Erlbaum.
Classic study :
Berkowitz, L., Corwin, R., & Heironimus, M. (1963). Film violence and subsequent aggressive tendencies. Public Opinion Quarterly , 27 , 217-229.
Recent study :
Brown, J. D., L'Engle, K. L., Pardun, C. J., Guo, G., Kenneavy, K., & Jackson, C. (2006). Sexy media matter: Exposure to sexual content in music, movies, television, and magazines predicts black and white adolescents' sexual behavior. Pediatrics, 117 , 1018-1027.
Recommended :
Weber, R., Ritterfeld, U., & Kostygina, A. (2006). Aggression and violence as effects of playing violent video games? In P. Vorderer & J. Bryant (Eds.), Playing video games: Motives, responses, and consequences (pp. 347-361). Mahwah , NJ : Lawrence Erlbaum.
April 3
Entertainment/Personality factors
***Annotated Bibliography for Final Paper Due***
Bryant, J., & Miron, D. (2002). Entertainment as media effect. In J. Bryant & D. Zillman (Eds.), Media effects: Advances in theory and research (2nd ed., pp. 549-582). Mahwah , NJ : Lawrence Erlbaum.
Oliver, M. B., Kim, J., & Sanders, M. S. (2006). Personality. In J. Bryant & P. Vorderer (Eds.), Psychology of entertainment (pp. 329-341). Mahwah , NJ : Lawrence Erlbaum.
Raney, A. A. (2006). The psychology of disposition-based theories of media enjoyment. In J. Bryant & P. Vorderer (Eds.), Psychology of entertainment (pp. 137-150). Mahwah , NJ : Lawrence Erlbaum.
Smith, B. P. (2006). The (computer) games people play: An overview of popular game content. In P. Vorderer & J. Bryant (Eds.), Playing video games: Motives, responses, and consequences (pp. 43-56). Mahwah , NJ : Lawrence Erlbaum.
Valkenburg, P. M., & Peter, J. (2006). Fantasy and imagination. In J. Bryant & P. Vorderer (Eds.), Psychology of entertainment (pp. 105-117). Mahwah , NJ : Lawrence Erlbaum.
Classic study :
Stephenson, W. (1964). The ludenic theory of newsreading. Journalism Quarterly, 41 , 367-374.
Recent study :
Kraut, R., Kiesler, S., Boneva, B., Cummings, J., Helgeson, V., & Crawford, A. (2002). Internet paradox revisited . Journal of Social Issues, 58 (1), 49-74.
April 10
Social and political effects of media
Graber, D. (2004). Mediated politics and citizenship in the twenty-first century. Annual Review of Psychology, 55 , 545-571.
Hilgartner, S., & Bosk, C. L. (1988). The rise and fall of social problems: A public arenas model. American Journal of Sociology, 94 , 53-78.
Pan, Z., & Kosicki, G. M. (1993). Framing analysis: An approach to news discourse. Political Communication, 10 , 55-75.
Viswanath, K., & Arora, P. (2000). Ethnic media in the United States : An essay on their role in integration, assimilation, and social control. Mass Communication & Society, 3 , 39-56.
Classic expositions :
Wirth, L. (1948). Consensus and mass communication. American Sociological Review, 13 (1), 1-15.
Rogers, E. M. (2003). Diffusion of innovations . 5th edition . New York : Free Press.
Putnam, R. D. (1995). Tuning in, tuning out: The strange disappearance of social capital in America . PS: Political Science and Politics , 28 , 664-683.
Recent essay :
Scheufele, D. (2000). Agenda-setting, priming, and framing revisited: Another look at cognitive effects of political communication. Mass Communication & Society, 3 (2&3), 297-316.
Recent study :
Besley, J. C. (2006). The role of entertainment television and its interactions with individual values in explaining political participation. Press/Politics, 11 (2), 41-63.
April 17
Representation, identity and intergroup relations.
Trepte, S. (2006). Social identity theory. In J. Bryant & P. Vorderer (Eds.), Psychology of entertainment (pp. 255-271). Mahwah , NJ : Lawrence Erlbaum.
Greenberg, B. S., Mastro, D., & Brand, J. E. (2002). Minorities and the mass media: Television into the 21st century. In J. Bryant & D. Zillman (Eds.), Media effects: Advances in theory and research (2nd ed., pp. 333-351). Mahwah , NJ : Lawrence Erlbaum.
Gross, L. (2001). Out of the mainstream: Sexual minorities and the mass media. In M. G. Durham & D. M. Kellner (Eds.), Media and cultural studies: KeyWorks (pp. 405-423). Malden , MA : Blackwell.
Gorham, B. W. (1999). Stereotypes in the media: So what? Howard Journal of Communications , 10 , 229-247.
Recent study :
Domke, D. (2001). The press, race relations and social change. Journal of Communication, 51 , 317-344.
April 24
***Student presentations of semester papers***