COMM 3342

Communication Processes, Mass Media and Information Technology

Fall 2014
ATC 2.602
TTH 2:30-3:45pm
Contact Information
Angela M. Lee, Ph.D.
Phone: 972-883-7539
Email: angela.lee@utdallas.edu
Office hours: TTh 1-2 p.m. or by appointment
Office: ATC 1.403
Course Description
Communication is an indispensable part of human life, and communication scholars have
long examined the ways in which mass media, new media technology and ordinary
people influence, and are influenced, by one another. This course will offer an overview
of such influences, and students are expected to go away from the course with knowledge
of how communication shapes our perception, how mass media affect our attitudes and
behaviors, and how the rise of new media technology complicates our understanding of
the relationship between mass media and everyday citizens.
Learning Objectives
In this course, students will:
Learn how different communication processes influence human interactions and
relationships;
Become mindful of how mass media, emerging media technology and ordinary
people influence, and are influenced, by one another;
Develop critical thinking skills.
Required Readings
There are no assigned textbooks for students to purchase. Instead, all of the readings are
available online and their links can be found on the course calendar below. Be sure to
check the course calendar regularly and complete all assigned readings before class.
Additional Course Requirements
Access to a computer (some in-class exercises may require that you bring a laptop
to class)
An active email account that is checked every day
Course Syllabus Page 1
Be in class on time
Course Policies
Students should familiarize themselves with official UTD course policies, which
can be found here: http://provost.utdallas.edu/syllabus-policies/
No plagiarism. In particular, you should familiarize yourself with the concept of
plagiarism see the Avoiding Plagiarism section from the link above.
Plagiarism is NOT tolerated in this course. If you have any questions about this,
ask me before you turn in an assignment.
No late assignment. Many assignments are due in class. Unless otherwise
arranged with me prior to the deadline, late assignments are not accepted and will
automatically result in a zero.
Attendance. Our class meetings are an integral part of the learning experience for
the students. As such, you are expected to attend class, complete in-class
exercises or quizzes, and participate actively in class discussions. Arriving more
than 30 minutes late or leaving more than 30 minutes early will be marked as
absent.
Religious holidays. You must notify me of your pending absence at least fourteen
days prior to the date of observance of a religious holy day. If you must miss a
class, an examination, a work assignment, or a project in order to observe a
religious holy day, I will give you an opportunity to complete the missed work
within a reasonable time after the absence.
Disruptive behavior. Disruptive behavior is defined as behavior that interrupts
or interferes with daily functions of the University of the education processes by
the Dean of Students at UTD. To create a safe and welcoming environment for
learning, no disruptive behavior is allowed in this class. Students who make
inappropriate (e.g., hostile or threatening) remarks in class will be reported to the
Dean of Students. Also, Please silence your phone so it does not disrupt other
students learning experience.
Communication. In this class, e-mail will be used as a means of communication
with students. Students are responsible for checking your e-mail every day for
class work and announcements.
Communication. In this class, e-mail will be used as a means of communication
with students. Students are responsible for checking your e-mail regularly for
class work and announcements.
Grading Policy
Class Participation (30%) This course is designed to be interactive and
participatory. Students are expected to attend class, arrive on time, participate in
class discussions and debates, and respond to class readings regularly. All
students are permitted three class absences over the course of the semester, no
Course Syllabus Page 2
questions asked, but there will be no make-ups for in-class exercises or quizzes.
Students who miss more than five class meetings will receive a zero for
participation. You are asked to use all electronic devices for class purposes only.
Students who are caught surfing the Internet in class, for example, will lose
participation points and be reported to the Dean of Students.
Debate (20%) Fostering critical thinking skills is important to this class. As
such, you will participate in a group debate.
In-class Exam (30%) Nov. 11 (Tue.). This closed-book exam will cover major
concepts covered in lecture and readings. No make-up exam is allowed unless it is
for medical reasons, which requires a doctors note. The exam comprises of
multiple choice and T/F questions. Make-up exams, on the other hand, may entail
fill-in-the-blanks and short answer questions in addition to a different set of
multiple choice and T/F questions to ensure that the exam is fair to all students.
Reading responses (20%) You are expected to write 7 reading responses
throughout the semester.
Grading Scheme
A = 94 or above
A- = 90-93
B+ = 87-89
B = 84-86
B- = 80-83
C+ =77-79
C = 74-76
C- = 70-73
D+ =67-69
D = 64-66
D- = 60-63
F = 59 or below
Please form a study group of three and write down the contact information of two other
members here (Name, email and/or phone number).
1.
2.
Our course blogs URL is: http://comm3342f14.blogspot.com
Course Calendar & Readings
Week 1 Aug 26 (Tue)
Introduction
Aug 28 (Thur)
Intro to Communication
Read before class
A learning secret: dont take notes with a
laptop:
Course Syllabus Page 3
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/a-
learning-secret-don-t-take-notes-with-a-
laptop/
6 degrees of plagiarism and the crisis of
originality: Why so many just cant stop:
http://stackstreet.com/6-degrees-plagiarism-
crisis-originality-many-just-cant-stop/
Week 2 Sept 2 (Tue)
Persuasion
Inoculation
Read before class
If you want to win an argument, ask how,
not why:
http:!!www."usinessinsider.com!how#to#win#
an#argument#$%&'#(
How to win every argument:
http://time.com/110643/how-to-win-every-
argument/
Robert Cialdini explains the six ways to
influence people:
http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/06/robert-
cialdini-influence/
Sept 4 (Thur)
Framing
Read before class
Suicide contagion and social media/ The
dangers of sharing Genie, youre free
http://www.scribd.com/doc/236869917/Suic
ide-Contagion-and-Social-Media-The-
Dangers-of-Sharing-Genie-You-Re-Free
How should the media talk about Robin
Williams' death and suicides?
http://www.scribd.com/doc/236869982/Ho
w-Should-the-Media-Talk-About-Robin-
Williams-Death-and-Suicides
)ews framing theory and research
http:!!www.scri"d.com!doc!$*++'*,+(!)ew
s#-raming#.heory#and#/esearch#$%%0#"y#
.ewks"ury#and#1cheufele
ee! 3 "ept # $%ue&
-raming 23ercise
Due in class
Bring your framing examples to class:
o Pro-life versus pro-choice
o Gay marriage versus civil union
"ept '' $%(ur&
)ews consumption and
millennials
4re you consuming news5
1hould you care a"out the
Read before class
4re you a young dude interested in news5
4ll else e6ual, this study says you7re a top
paywall target:
http://www.niemanlab.org/2012/04/are-you-
Course Syllabus Page 4
news5 a-young-dude-interested-in-news-all-else-
equal-this-study-says-youre-a-top-paywall-
target/
The difficulties of consuming news:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/237347611/The-
Difficulties-of-Consuming-News
When newsworthy is not noteworthy:
Examining the value of news from the
audiences perspective:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/175369498/Whe
n-newsworthy-is-not-noteworthy-
Examining-the-value-of-news-from-the-
audience-s-perspective
Week 4 Sept 16 (Tue)
Selective exposure
Confirmation bias
Read before class
The real media divide Marcus Prior:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-
dyn/content/article/2007/07/15/AR2007071
501110.html
How confirmation bias can lead to war:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/237548446/Ho
w-Confirmation-Bias-Can-Lead-to-War-
Global-The-Atlantic
The confirmation bias: Why its hard to
change your mind:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/237548578/The-
Confirmation-Bias-why-It-s-Hard-to-
Change-Your-Mind
Sept 18 (Thur)
Selective perception
Selective retention
Read before class
Selective perception chapter 1:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/237546985/Sele
ctive-Perception-Chapter-1
Selective perception is what makes people
fight about TV:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/237547102/Sele
ctive-Perception-is-What-Makes-People-
Fight-About-TV
People selectively remember the details of
atrocities that absolve in-group members:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/237548026/Peo
ple-Selectively-Remember-the-Details-of-
Atrocities-That-Absolve-in-group-
Members-Science-of-the-Spirit-Sott-net
Remember that? No you dont. Study
Course Syllabus Page 5
Shows False Memories Afflict Us All:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/237547577/Rem
ember-That-No-You-Don-t-Study-Shows-
False-Memories-Afflict-Us-All
Week 5 Sept 23 (Tue)
o History of media
effects research
Read before class
8edia effects in conte3t
http:!!www.scri"d.com!doc!$*++*0+%&!8ed
ia#2ffects#in#9onte3t#$%&&
:hat is a media effect5
http:!!www.scri"d.com!doc!$*++'%,&%!:ha
t#is#a#8edia#2ffect#$%&$
Sept 25 (Thur)
o History of media
effects research
(Continued)
Due in class
Media effects examples
Week 6 Sept 30 (Tue)
Agenda-setting
Read before class
Agenda-setting function of Maxwell
McCombs & Donald Shaw
http://www.scribd.com/doc/236853977/Age
nda-setting-function-of-Maxwell-mcCombs-
Donald-Shaw
Study finds that papers lead in providing
new information
http://www.scribd.com/doc/237370650/Stud
y-Finds-Newspapers-Lead-in-Providing-
New-Information
Research in India suggests Google search
results can influence an election - The
Washington Post
http://www.scribd.com/doc/236855647/Res
earch-in-India-Suggests-Google-Search-
Results-Can-Influence-an-Election-The-
Washington-Post
Oct 2 (Thur)
Priming
Read before class
Mind Games: Sometimes a White Coat
Isnt Just a White Coat:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/03/scienc
e/clothes-and-self-perception.html?_r=0
Priming and social media -- Suicide
contagion and social media: The dangers of
sharing Genie, youre free:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/236718612/Suic
ide-Contagion-and-Social-Media-The-
Dangers-of-Sharing-Genie-You-Re-Free
Course Syllabus Page 6
Mom was right: You are what you eat:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/236728710/Mo
m-Was-Right-You-Are-What-You-Eat
Week 7 Oct 7 (Tue)
9/11 and the power of the
press
o What happened
9/11/2001?:
http://youtu.be/-
HcX3iffQcI
o PBS documentary
Buying the War:
http://vimeo.com/3303
3186
Read before class
President Bush addresses to the nation:
http://georgewbush-
whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/200
3/03/20030319-17.html
Popular opinion in the U.S. on the invasion
of Iraq:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popular_opinio
n_in_the_United_States_on_the_invasion_o
f_Iraq
Oct 9 (Thur)
Buying the War
(Continued)
Finish watching Buying the War at home:
http://vimeo.com/33033186
Week 8 Oct 14 (Tue)
PBS documentary
discussion
Third-person effect
Read before class
The Influence of Presumed Media
Influence: Origins and Implications of the
Third-Person Perception
http://www.scribd.com/doc/237372883/The-
Influence-of-Presumed-Media-Influence-
Origins-and-Implications-of-the-Third-
Person-Perception
Persuasion Third-person effect:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/237374264/Pers
uasion-Third-person-Effect
Oct 16 (Thur)
Spiral of silence mass
media & social media
Read before class
Spiral of silence chapter:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/237540143/Spir
al-of-Silence-Chapter
Week 9 Oct 21 (Tue)
Modern technology and
contemporary life
Read before class
;it the reset "utton in your "rain:
http:!!www.scri"d.com!doc!$*++'+<$'!;it#
the#/eset#Button#in#=our#Brain#)=.imes
)o time to think# )=.:
http:!!www.scri"d.com!doc!$*('%%,0<!)o#
.ime#to#.hink
Oct 23 (Thur)
Social media and personal
well-being
Read before class
Facebook makes us sadder and less
satisfied, study finds:
Course Syllabus Page 7
http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/
2013/08/19/213568763/researchers-
facebook-makes-us-sadder-and-less-
satisfied
Can Facebook make you sad?
http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20140206-
is-facebook-bad-for-you
Will Facebook make you sad? Depends on
how you use it:
http://news.sciencemag.org/brain-
behavior/2014/05/will-facebook-make-you-
sad-depends-how-you-use-it
Week
10
Oct 28 (Tue)
Social media and online
experiments
Read before class
How much should you know about how
Facebook works?
http://www.scribd.com/doc/237349179/Ho
w-Much-Should-You-Know-About-How-
Facebook-Works
Everything we know about Facebooks
secret mood manipulation experiment:
http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/arch
ive/2014/06/everything-we-know-about-
facebooks-secret-mood-manipulation-
experiment/373648/
>?9upid7s e3periment:
http:!!www.scri"d.com!doc!$*('%<,&<!>?
9upid#/eveals#It#s#Been#Lying#to#1ome#of#
Its#@sers
Oct 30 (Thur)
Online media literacy
Read before class
A fake Nelson Mandela quote is already
making the rounds:
http://www.slate.com/blogs/weigel/2013/12/
05/people_are_tweeting_fake_nelson_mand
ela_quotes.html
5 best fake news stories of the year:
http://www.salon.com/2012/12/20/5_best_fa
ke_news_stories_of_the_year/
22 viral pictures that were actually fake:
http://www.buzzfeed.com/tomphillips/22-
viral-pictures-that-were-actually-fake
Week
11
Nov 4 (Tue)
Google, Facebook,
Amazon whats next?
Read before class
Google, Facebook and Amazon race to
blur lines between man and machine:
Course Syllabus Page 8
http://www.scribd.com/doc/237544300/Goo
gle-Facebook-and-Amazon-race-to-blur-
lines-between-man-and-machine
Giants behaving badly: Google, Facebook
and Amazon show us the downside of
monopolies and black-box algorithms:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/237544441/Gia
nts-Behaving-Badly-Google-Facebook-and-
Amazon-Show-Us-the-Downside-of-
Monopolies-and-Black-box-Algorithms
Facebooks fatal weakness: Why the social
network is losing to Amazon, Apple &
Google:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/237544600/Face
book-s-Fatal-Weakness-Why-the-Social-
Network-is-Losing-to-Amazon-Apple-
Google
Nov 6 (Thur)
Exam Q&A
Bring any questions or concerns you may have
regarding the exam
Week
12
Nov 11 (Tue)
Exam date
In-class exam
Nov 13 (Thur)
Debate consultation
Main & counter-debate arguments
Week
13
Nov 18 (Tue)
Group meeting for debates
Refer back to earlier readings on inoculation
for debate preparation
Nov 20 (Thur)
Class debate Part I
Due 5pm on Nov 21
Debate assessment from non-debaters
Week
14
Nov 25 (Tue)
Fall break
No class
Nov 27 (Thur)
Thanksgiving break
No class
Week
15
Dec 2 (Tue)
Class debate Part II
Due 5pm on Dec 3
Debate assessment from non-debaters
Dec 4 (Thur)
Class debate Part III
Due 5pm on Dec 5
Debate assessment from non-debaters
Week
16
Dec 9 (Tue)
Wrap-up
The descriptions and timelines contained in this syllabus are subject to change at the
discretion of the Professor.
Course Syllabus Page 9