SOCI 632 - Conceptualizing Media Effects

Institution:

University of Pennsylvania

Subject:

Description:

Katz. The course is a critical review of the major theories of mass communication extracting from each its conception of the audience, the text, and especially the nature of effect. Conceptions of effect are shown to range from short-run change of opinion and attitudes ("what to think") to proposals that the media offer tools "with which to think" (gratifications research; cultural studies), "when to think" (diffusion research), "what to think about" (agenda setting), "how to think" (technological theories), "what not to think" (critical theories), "what to feel" (psychoanalytic theories), and "with whom to think" (sociological theories). Students study the key texts of each theoretical approach, and reappraise the field in the light of new concepts and new evidence.

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.upenn.edu

Phone Number:

(215) 898-5000

Regional Accreditation:

Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

The Course Profile information is provided and updated by third parties including the respective institutions. While the institutions are able to update their information at any time, the information is not independently validated, and no party associated with this website can accept responsibility for its accuracy.