Syllabus
- Course Contents.
- Literature
- Grading Elements
- Late Assignments
- Course Policies
- Tentative Course Outline
COMM 338: Analysis of News
First of all, this is an entirely online, asynchronous course. In case you do not know yet, asynchronous means, in the context of online teaching, that we will NOT meet at regular times as a group. The advantage of asynchronous online instruction is that you can flexibly adjust your home-working hours to your schedule. Plus, this special topic course requires intensive reading. In the literature section of the syllabus and in every learning unit, you will find detailed information about the reading material.
Course Contents
For decades, mass communication scholars have been investigating the triangular relationship between mass media, public opinion and political power. If in a democratic society, political power directly flows from public opinion as it is generally assumed, it is priority to understand how mass media might impact public opinion. The powerful media hypothesis suggests that, through the control of the masses, media play a key role in the political game. The brutal irruption of new digital communication technologies is challenging the traditional mass communication paradigm and the power position of the so-called legacy media. In the current chaotic media landscape, there is a growing uncertainty about the sources citizens are using to get information on current issues. The course “Analysis of News” explores this chaos. It defines the meaning of and differentiates trendy concepts, such as “disinformation, “misinformation,” or “fake news, and reveals strategies to control the flow of information through sophisticated surveillance methods. Furthermore, we study the correlation of the information crisis with the growing political polarization and the rise of populist movements in the Western world. The ultimate axiom in a democracy is that the system cannot work without solid and functional citizenship, a citizenship that can rely on accurate and well-grounded information. The course reflects on the impact of a poorly informed citizenship on the democratic process.
Literature
Every learning unit will include information about the necessary reading material (journal articles, books and book chapters) will be available in the course’s Web-site. Be aware that this is going to be a reading and writing intense course.
In addition to that, we will be working with two major texts:
Graber, Doris A. and Johanna Dunaway. 2014. Mass Media and American Politics (11th Edition), Washington D.C.: CQ Press.
This book is available in CCSA’s bookstore. You can also find some affordable options in Amazon: Mass Media and American Politics
Zuboff, Shoshana. 2019. The Age of Surveillance Capitalism. The Fight for a Human Future at the New Frontier of Power, New York: PublicAffairs.
Zuboff’s book is also available in Amazon at a reasonable price: Age of Surveillance Capitalism
Herman, Edward S.; Chomsky, Noam. 1988. Manufacturing Consent, New York: Random House.
Lippmann, Walter. 1922. Public Opinion.
Grading
| Examinations | ||
| Midterm Exam | 20% | |
| Final Exam | 40% | |
| Case Study | ||
| Case Study | 20% | |
| Case Study Video Presentation | 10% | |
| Participation | 10% |
Grading Table:
A (94-100); A- (90-93); B+ (86-89); B (83-85); B- (79-82); C+ (76-78); C (73-75) C- (69-72); D+ (66-68); D (63-65); D- (60-62); F (0-60)
Graded Assignments:
Examinations
There will a midterm exam and a final exam, which includes the contents of the whole course. Exams will cover material from the class and the case studies published in Blackboard Vista. There will be no make-up exams (except for well documented medical emergencies). All the assessments in this course will take place online, in the Blackboard Vista environment. Please, make sure that you are familiar with the system before the day scheduled for the exams.
Case Study (+ Video Presentation)
The case study has two related assignments: the video presentation and the case study paper. First, you should select a topic related to the contents of three of the learning units. In the introductory learning unit (Key Concepts), you can find three frequently used concepts related to the current information crisis: Misinformation, Disinformation and Fake News. Your case study might focus on an actual example of any of these three phenomena in the contemporary media landscape. In the learning unit on Populism, you can choose a contemporary case that studies the phenomena of systemic political corruption (as described by Francis Fukuyama), populist politicians (based on the dimensions of populism discussed in the learning unit: Anti-establishment attitudes, belief in the supremacy of popular sovereignty, or the faith in the homogeneous virtue of the people). The third learning unit relevant to this assignment focuses on News Bias, Polarization, and Misinformation. You can select a contemporary case that illustrates the different types of news bias, the relationship between media and political polarization, or the effect of misinformation on society.
The first assignment is a 5-8 minute video presentation of your findings. In this link, you can learn how to create a video from a PowerPoint presentation.
The second assignment is a 10-page paper (double-spaced, Times New Roman, size 12) developing the findings of your presentation.
You can find a more detailed description of structure and evaluation of both assignments in this page
Participation
The participation grade will be based on your activity in the discussion forums. You must read the entries of your fellow students and post your own comments. The goal is to make those forums as interactive as possible (similar to the class discussions triggered by students’ presentations in on-ground classes).
Late Assignments
Late assignments will be graded so you receive feedback, but will be worth only half credit (100 pt. paper receives 50 points). This is a severe penalty; it is not fair to others who met the deadlines if we accept yours late. The instructor will not accept any assignment more than one week late. In the 21st century, printer troubles or computer problems are no longer reasonable excuses for late papers. The instructor suggests knowing the equipment well enough and allowing ample time in case of problems.
Course Policies
The instructor reserves the ultimate right to modify the schedule of activities, assignments and tests for the class as it deems necessary. In addition, the professor reserves his right to assess the overall ability of the students to meet the expectations of the course and will exercise his right to pass or fail the student accordingly.
Incompletes
The University’s policy on the awarding of incompletes is discussed in the catalog and will be followed in this class.
Academic Dishonesty
CCSU has a zero tolerance policy on academic dishonesty. Academic dishonesty includes cheating on homework or exams, and also plagiarism. The unauthorized use of AI can also be regarded as academic misconduct (for instance, the use of AI tools – ChatGPT, or similar – to answer multiple choice, true/false or short essay questions). In written assignments, submission of AI-generated text as one’s own work is considered plagiarism. Demonstrated cases of academic dishonesty can result in severe penalties, including receiving an “F” in the class.
To learn more about this subject, please read CCSU’s policy of academic misconduct at ccsu/academicintegrity
Particularly relevant is the page dedicated to academic misconduct.
Special Needs
Please contact me privately to discuss your specific needs if you believe you need course accommodations based on the impact of a disability, medical condition, or if you have emergency medical information to share. I will need a copy of the accommodation letter from Student Disability Services in order to arrange your class accommodations. Contact Student Disability Services, room 241, Copernicus Hall if you are not already registered with them. Student Disability Services maintains the confidential documentation of your disability and assists you in coordinating reasonable accommodations with your faculty.
Diversity Statement
The Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (“CSCU”) is committed to providing an educational and employment environment that is free from discrimination and/or harassment based on protected characteristics, and/or retaliation, including retaliation under applicable federal and state laws for engaging in protected activity. To ensure compliance with federal, state, and local civil rights laws and regulations, and to affirm its commitment to promoting the goals of fairness and equity in all aspects of its education program or activity, CSCU has developed this Discriminatory Harassment, Nondiscrimination, and Title IX Policy (the “Policy”) that provides for a prompt, fair, and impartial resolution of allegations of protected characteristic discrimination, harassment, and/or allegations of retaliation. CSCU values and upholds the equal dignity of all members of its community and strives to balance the rights of all individuals when resolving allegations during what is often a difficult time for all involved. https://www.ccsu.edu/OEI
I adhere to the university’s diversity policy. Please, take the time to read the whole statement.
Tentative Course Outline
| Week | Course Contents |
|---|---|
| Week 0 1/21 to 1/23 | Introduction to the Course / Information Crisis in the Digital Age |
| Week 1 1/26 to 1/30 | Key Concepts: Disinformation, Misinformation, Fake News |
| Week 2 2/2 to 2/6 | Key Concepts: Propaganda |
| Week 3 2/9 to 2/13 | News Biases, Polarization, Mis- and Disinformation |
| Week 4 2/16 to 2/20 | The Degeneration of Democracy: Corruption and Populism |
| Week 5 2/23 to 2/27 | Mass Media Effects I, and II The Powerful Mass Media / Minimal Effects Return to the Concept of Powerful Mass Media |
| Week 6 3/2 to 3/6 | Mass Media Effects III New Media The New Mass Comm Paradigm |
| Week 7 3/9 to 3/13 | Walter Lippmann News vs Truth 3/13 Video Presentation Due |
| 3/16 to 3/20 | Spring Break |
| Week 8 3/23 to 3/27 | Midterm Exam – Friday, March 27 |
| Week 9 3/30 to 4/3 | Herman and Chomsky: Manufacturing Consent |
| Week 10 4/6 to 4/10 | Mass Media and Political Power Media Landscape, Regulation, Control |
| Week 11 4/13 to 4/17 | Surveillance and Political Power I Science of Behavior |
| Week 12 4/20 to 4/24 | Surveillance and Political Power II Private vs Public Life |
| Week 13 4/27 to 5/1 | Totalitarianism Hannah Arendt |
| Week 14 5/4 to 5/8 | Freedom, Equality, Democracy Voluntary Servitude 5/8 Case Study Due |
| 5/11 to 5/15 | Final Exams |
University Calendar
| Martin Luther King Holiday – No Classes | January 19 |
| 100% tuition refund withdrawal deadline (full-time students) | January 20 |
| First Day of Classes | January 21 |
| Last Day to Drop a Course without “W” | February 10 |
| Withdrawal Period (no permission required) | February 11 – April 21 |
| Presidents’ Holiday Recess – No Classes | February 13 – February 16 |
| Spring Break – No Classes | March 17 – March 23 |
| Fall 2026 Academic Advising period | March 23 – April 2 |
| INC grades from Spring & Summer lapse to “F” (undergraduates) | March 24 |
| Summer 2026 registration begins | March 25 |
| Fall 2026 registration begins for matriculated students | April 2 |
| Day of Reflection Recess – No Classes | April 3 – April 5 |
| Late Course Withdrawal Period (permission required) | April 22 – May 17 |
| Last Day of Classes | May 10 |
| Final Exam Period | May 11 – May 17 |