Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Media and Society (Face-to-Face)

COMM 2010-01

Course: COMM 2010-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: COMM
CRN: 32015

Course Description

     Journalism and media have changed so dramatically in recent years that the landscape barely resembles what it was a generation ago. Today, news and media evolve at a pace that’s both exciting and, at times, mind-boggling.
     We’ll begin with an overview of key historical milestones across major media forms — television, radio, film, social media, the internet, newspapers, online news, and other sources — to understand how each has shaped the way we share and consume information. From there, we’ll build on the core principles of journalism and media literacy, exploring emerging trends, shifting ethics, and breaking stories in real time — especially in the context of the current presidential election.
     Expect a dynamic flow of content: new articles, case studies, and video segments will be added regularly for class discussion and analysis. This isn’t a static, read-the-textbook course — it’s an immersive, interactive experience in understanding how journalism works today and where it’s headed tomorrow.

Required Texts

There are no required textbooks in this class. All readings and texts are provided and made available in Canvas modules and assignments.

Learning Outcomes

COURSE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES 
The study of the power and responsibility of media in all aspects of society. A brief history of media builds understanding of the impact of mass and social media and the importance of media literacy in society.
Students who successfully complete this course will:
Describe how mass communication industries operate as businesses, and summarize the historical, technological, legal, and economic forces affecting them;
  • Differentiate among various mass media, but also describe how the various media are interconnected and how this affects the cultural texts they create;
  • Explain the concepts of convergence and transmedia using examples from media today;
  • Summarize major theories used to study mass communication and apply them as a media-literate professional; and
  • Analyze mass communication in the 21st century as a cultural enterprise, as the product of mass communication companies is culture.

Course Requirements

To be successful in this class, you will need to attend and participate in class discussions and activities. Come to class prepared to participate by having technology where you can research or share social media memes or posts to contribute to class discussions.
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS (200 pts. - 27%)
Over the course of the semester there are several written essays where you will write 1-4 pages on different topics we discuss in class like media literacy, the field of communication, media usage, a movie analysis, a final "What I Know Now" paper and media bias.  College-level writing is expected including appropriate spelling, punctuation, grammar and citations in the APA style where required.  
SCREEN/MEDIA LOG (30pts -  4%)
This assignment requires that you monitor and track your screen/media time for at least four days (but a whole week would give you the best insight on your own media consumption). You will be given a chart to fill out about how many minutes each day you engage with all aspects of media consumption and screen time. 
SCREEN/MEDIA LOG ANALYSIS PAPER (50 pts. -  7%)
After spending several days tracking your media usage, you will write an analysis paper on your experience. You will have several self-analysis questions to guide you through the process.  The paper will need to be between 500-750 words.
Group Presentation: Media & Society Topic (85 pts. - 11% )
In small groups, you will research and present on a major topic from our course — such as media literacy, echo chambers, virtue signaling, media bias, technological determinism, identity politics, freedom of speech, or another approved theme. Your job is to teach the class about your topic in a way that is dynamic, entertaining and engaging. 
CLASS DISCUSSIONS - Spill the Tea, Check the Receipts (50pts. -  7%)
For some chapter topics, there will be discussions based on current events.  Your assignment is to lead the class in a discussion on a current event applying course concepts.  To lead the discussion, you will need to submit a question to Prof. Fogg in advance and get it approved, or I will give you one.
QUIZZES - (150 pts -  20%)
There will be online quizzes for each chapter based on the lecture and reading.  Some of the chapter quizzes will be combined based on timing. You may be given class time to take some quizzes. 
MOVIE ANALYSES - (30pts. -  4%)By the end of the term you will need to watch two movies that deal with journalism/media and media literacy. One of the movies we may watch together in class and you will be given quiz questions at the end of class. So don't skip out on the movie day.  The second movie is your choice.  The movie must be from the list provided or should be a movie that obviously covers journalism or the media.  
DAYS OF DISCONNECT - (75pts -  10%) - For this assignment, you must go without ALL ELECTRONICS for 2 days.  Yep, that means no phones, no TV, no internet, no gaming, no movies, no iPad, no TikTok, no Instagram, no Apple Watch, no computer.  Before you freak out and dismiss the idea, this is a unique assignment where you will experience what it was like "back in the day."  It requires some preparation, like you need an alarm clock (or a roommate), and you need to tell your friends and family.  If you use electronics for work, that's ok, you can exercise self-control and use only what is required for work.  The point is to break your pattern and see what you can learn from going without for 2 days. 
What I Know Now Paper (80 pts. - 11%)- This is your final.  There's no final exam.  This 2-3 page write-up is designed to demonstrate your understanding of course concepts and how they apply to your life.  You will also be expected to make assessments about what you learned over the term.  (80 pts.)

Course Outline

Unit 1 – Introduction & Media Literacy
  • Course overview, expectations, and assignments
  • What is media literacy? Critical thinking in media consumption
  • Recognizing bias, agenda, and framing in content
Unit 2 – Historical Milestones in Media
  • Evolution of mass communication: newspapers, radio, TV, film, internet, and social media
  • How technology shaped audience behavior
Unit 3– Truth, Misinformation & Fake News
  • What counts as “truth” in the digital age
  • Misinformation vs. disinformation vs. malinformation
Unit 4 – Media & Politics
  • News media’s influence on elections and public opinion
  • Political spin, press releases, and agenda-setting theory
Unit 5 – Ideology & Identity in Media
  • Political, economic, and social ideologies in media
  • Representation, stereotypes, and inclusion/exclusion in coverage
Unit 6 – Media Bias & Echo Chambers
  • How bias is expressed through story selection, framing, and omission
  • The role of algorithms in shaping our “media bubble”
Unit 7 – Virtue Signaling & Cancel Culture
  • The role of performative activism in media
  • Consequences of cancel culture for individuals and brands
Unit 8 - Group Presentations
  • Review key theories and concepts
  • Group project presentations: Students present on a chosen media trend or controversy
Unit 9 – Media Theory: Foundations
  • Technological determinism, agenda-setting, spiral of silence
  • Uses & gratifications, cultivation theory
Unit 10 – Persuasion, Framing, & Visual Rhetoric
  • Persuasion models (Elaboration Likelihood Model, inoculation theory)
  • Visual storytelling and framing devices in media
Unit 11 – Social Media, Influencers, & Going Viral
  • The influencer economy and parasocial relationships
  • How content spreads online and what drives virality
Unit 12 – Hate Speech, Freedom of Expression & the First Amendment
  • Legal protections and limits in U.S. law
  • Hate speech vs. harmful speech in online spaces
Unit 13 – Talking Heads & News Commentary
  • The rise of opinion-based news formats
  • Entertainment vs. journalism in modern cable and online news
Unit 14 – Media Trends & The Future
  • AI in media production
  • The future of newsrooms, streaming platforms, and social media
  • Ethical challenges ahead
Unit 15 – Final Projects & Wrap-Up
Final student presentations: Analysis of a current media issue using course concepts
What I Know Now


Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Late work will NOT be accepted except for a serious medical crisis or other extenuating circumstances that will be judged on a case-by-case basis. Assignments should be turned in on the day they are due submitted in Canvas by 11:59 pm that day.

All other exceptions need to be approved through the Disability Resource Center.

Attendance Policy

Attendance will be taken each class period. Attending class makes you eligible to earn participation points. Participation includes quizzes, working with classmates, sharing thoughts, discussion, speaking, etc. If you do not attend class for that day, you will not be able to participate and will not earn the points. If you have a legitimate and documented illness, family emergency, or school-approved function, please contact the instructor prior to class.

Course Fees

N/A

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.