Faculty Syllabus

There are no course requirements or prerequistes for this course.

1. Medium is the Message

2. Propaganda Model

3. Cultural Hegemony

A survey of the basic factors affecting human communication, including theories and models of communication. In-depth study of the relationship of mass media and society. An overview of trends in newspapers, radio, television, film, and books, and the related institutions of advertising, public relations, and photography.

Course Objectives

• Analyze critically mass media and mass media messages.
• Understand the economic and social imperatives affecting message content, delivery and effects.
• Understand the influences of media content on cultural perceptions.
• Understand the characteristics of contemporary mass media, including the influence and roles of media history, media law and ethics, governmental regulation, and evolving technology.
• Critically analyze and discuss media message content.
• Identify economic and cultural influences affecting mass media messages.
• Discuss the juxtaposition of factual information and entertainment demands on media content in light of economic and technological imperatives.
• Understand media history and technology and their effects on contemporary messages.
• Develop an increased understanding and awareness of media influences on perceptions of multiculturalism and diversity.
• Understand the evolving roles of social media messages on politics, behavior, and culture.
• Understand the effects of globalization and consolidation on the media.

Course Syllabus: COMM 1307

Intro to Mass Communication

Tentative Syllabus

Spring 2026

Instructor: David Kano                                             Belief is meaningless without action.

CRN: 15873

In Person (F2F) Class: This is an in person class.

Office Hours In Person: Mondays 12 pm – 1:30 pm and by appointment

Office Hours Online: Mondays 1:30 pm – 3 pm, Tuesdays 1 pm – 2 pm and by appointment

Location: Rio Grande Campus 3252

E-mail: david.kano@austincc.edu

Phone: (512) 223-3390

Communication: Email is the best way to reach me and I usually respond within 24 hours during the week. If you email me on a Friday, response may come following Monday. Also, please be sure to send a professional email which includes a greeting, proper body, and closing.

Response: Although you should receive a response from me within the time parameters given – sometimes emails get buried, go to spam, or simply aren’t sent. My schedule fills up quickly as well – so unless there are days that go by (outside of the weekend) without a response, then you can follow-up to ensure I received your message.

Course Description

This class surveys the basic factors affecting mass communication in the digital age, including theories and models of communication, the relationship between mass media and society, and history, technology, and trends in newspapers, radio, television, film, books, the Internet, advertising, public relations, visual messages, media law, and ethics. Students will be able to demonstrate understanding of the concepts through creative activities and practical applications.

Course Objectives

• Analyze critically mass media and mass media messages.
• Understand the economic and social imperatives affecting message content, delivery and effects.
• Understand the influences of media content on cultural perceptions.
• Understand the characteristics of contemporary mass media, including the influence and roles of media history, media law and ethics, governmental regulation, and evolving technology.
• Critically analyze and discuss media message content.
• Identify economic and cultural influences affecting mass media messages.
• Discuss the juxtaposition of factual information and entertainment demands on media content in light of economic and technological imperatives.
• Understand media history and technology and their effects on contemporary messages.
• Develop an increased understanding and awareness of media influences on perceptions of multiculturalism and diversity.
• Understand the evolving roles of social media messages on politics, behavior, and culture.
• Understand the effects of globalization and consolidation on the media.

Required Materials

1. Class handouts.
2. Computer, Internet, and a camera/smart phone.
3. Twitter (X Account).

Book

Mass Communication, Media, and Culture – An Introduction to Mass Communication

Grading/Evaluation/Assignments

This class will use technology and media elements which will include: video, audio, smartphones, online resources, social media, and apps.

1. Retirement Interview = 5%
   • Your first assignment will be to have someone interview you about your retirement from your dream job. Prepare a list of questions for them to ask you and film the interview in one of the styles we go over in class. (5-7 minutes in length)

1. Podcast: Debate Analysis = 15%
   • Think about some of the mass communication theories you have been reading. First, choose a partner and then watch the same political debate (current or from the past). You will record a 10-15 minute video podcast on the debate while introducing some of the class concepts in it.

1. Social Media or PR Campaign = 15%

         • You will work in groups of up to four to create a team that is working behind the scenes

         for a brand, corporation, project, or public figure. Your team will have the option of two

         trajectories. You can be a part of an advertising agency tasked with producing a social

         media campaign to reach the masses as a form of promotion, or your group will be

         working as a public relations firm that is trying to do damage control for one of the

         aforementioned entities.

1. Mass Communication Presentation = 25%
   • Choose up to three of you peers and pick one of the three mass communication theories from the course. Your group will present a 10-15 minute video presentation on the theory giving background information, context, time period, application, real life examples, and relevance today.

5. Mass Communication Oral Response or Video Package = 20%

• • There will be three mass communication theories presented in class. You will have the option of doing an in-class response or producing a video package on one of the theories.

6. Final Project = 20%

         • For the final project of the semester, you will team up in groups of 3-4 to produce a mini

         newscast which must include world, national, and local news stories and may include:

         sports, entertainment, or other approved niche. You will use skills taught during the

         course to work with your team for a 10-15 minute broadcast.

Assignment Policies

1. Late Work
   1. All course assignments must be submitted on the deadlines stated in the syllabus, course calendar or by the instructor.
   2. Work submitted after the deadline (late) will not be graded and result in a zero. If you are having technical issues submitting/uploading an assignment, then you need to email me with the work attached before the due date/time to receive credit.
   3. Instructor reserves the right to offer or decline an extension at their discretion, which may be based on your participation in the course at that time for partial credit.

1. Writing
   1. Bibliographies should be typed in 12-point Times New Roman and adhere to APA Style Guide format.

1. Presentation Day(s)
   1. Being on time and present on presentation days is important for your peers. Your grade will be lowered 10 points if you are not present and a deduction of 5 points for being late or leaving early.

Course Policies

1. Attendance
   1. You may be dropped after missing two week’s worth of classes. Also, it may be your responsibility to drop the class or risk receiving a failing grade.

1. Cell Phones
   1. All phones must be on silent (or off) and be stored in your pocket, backpack, or bag unless the class is using them for an assignment. If you need to use your phone for any reason — simply grab it and go outside.

1. Laptops
   1. May be used for notes during lecture.

1. Academic Integrity
   1. Plagiarism, cheating or any other form of academic dishonesty will result an automatic fail on the assignment and may be reported to the Department Chair and/or Dean of LAHC. Please refer to ACC’s Academic Integrity Process. For ACC’s College Policies you can reference that here.

1. Artificial Intelligence

a) What it is: This policy encourages you to use AI for parts of the creative process (like brainstorming) but requires that the final product be your original work.

b) Why we use it: This approach teaches you to leverage AI for efficiency while ensuring that your unique voice, critical analysis, and original reporting remain at the center of the work. It separates idea generation from content creation.

• What this means for you:
• You may use AI for tasks like:
• Brainstorming story ideas or headlines.
• Exploring different angles for a report.
• Generating outlines for a script or article.
• Getting ideas for how to visualize a set of data.
• You may not use AI to generate the final, submitted content (e.s., the text of the article, the final video edit, or the code for the visualization).

Citation is required: You must include a brief "AI Process Note" with your submission explaining what tool you used and how you used it (e.g., "I used ChatGPT to brainstorm five potential headlines for this story.")

ACC Additional Support

1. Student Accessibility Services

Students needing instructional or classroom accommodation can reach out to Student Accessibility Services for more information.

2. Social Support Resources

               Any student who faces challenges securing their food or housing and believes this may affect their performance may contact Social Support Resources.

Schedule

Week 1

• Introduction to course
• Types of Communication
• What is Mass Communication

•    Retirement Interview Assignment Handout

• Reading Assigned: ‘Medium is the Message’

Week 2

• ‘Medium is the Message’ Breakdown
• Salience of Mass Communication
• Reading: ‘Propaganda Model'

Week 3

• ‘Propaganda Model’ Discussion
• Mass Communication Creative Assignment Handout
• Reading: ‘Cultural Hegemony’

Week 4

• ‘Cultural Hegemony’ Discussion
• Media & Politics - Matter Much?

Week 5

• Online Communication Liability
• Podcast Debate Assignment Handout

Week 6

• Media Law & Ethics
• Libel vs Slander

Week 7

• Social Media: A Viral World

Week 8

• What Makes Good News
• Analyzing a Theory through a Political Debate

Week 9

• Mass Communication Presentation Handout

Week 10

• How to Conduct Academic Research
• ACC Library Online
• Peer-Reviewed Articles

Week 11

• APA Style Guide Bibliography Format
• Orally Citing Sources

Week 12

• Mass Comm Theories Overview

Week 13

• Mass Communication Presentation

Week 14

• Group Workshop

Week 15

• Due: Mini-Newscast

Week 16

• Future Goals & Reflection

Course Calendar