102. Media Processes and Effects. (4). (SS).
This course introduces students to the contemporary research on mass
communication processes and effects. Basic processes involved in the production,
dissemination, reception, and impact of media messages are examined. The
course investigates a variety of effects on individuals' knowledge, attitudes,
and behaviors, as well as influences on the functioning of larger social
systems. It proceeds in general from investigations of individual-level
to societal-level impact. Critical reading and evaluation of research on
media processes and effects, and of its application to social policy debates,
is encouraged and developed. Cost:2 WL:1 (Oshagan)
111. Workshop on Managing the Information Environment. (1). (Excl).
Hands-on workshop intended to develop student mastery of the rapidly
developing and expanding electronic information environment. Skills developed
include the use of electronic communication systems, data base searching,
word processing, data management, and various research uses of public computer
networks and the information superhighway. The course introduces students
to a range of campus computing resources, including local area networks
and available software, and remote access to the Internet and the World
Wide Web. Problem-solving assignments are designed to teach strategies used
in finding information and evaluating its validity and utility. Cost:2 WL:1