COM 385 - Reality Media and the Ethics of Spectatorship

Institution:

Gustavus Adolphus College

Subject:

Description:

The popularity of mass-mediated reality-based texts has blurred the already problematic distinctions between factual and fictional televisual artifacts. This course examines the ethical and critical issues presented by popular factual television, as well as the styles, strategies, and structures that such texts employ to persuade audiences. The course explores the history of the genre-including the evolution of the documentary form-and seeks to understand the nature of its commercial and aesthetic appeal. In the process, students are exposed to a variety of visual communication theories, critical techniques, and methodologies. Students will learn how to apply critical tools to mass mediated texts in order to become better consumers and more literate and engaged citizens. Prerequisite: COM-235 or COM-258 or permission of instructor. WRITD, Spring semester.

Credits:

1.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

WWW.GUSTAVUS.EDU

Phone Number:

(507) 933-8000

Regional Accreditation:

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Four-one-four plan

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