ZUR110 Introduction to mass communication theory: history of changes in the research on mass media effects

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2008
Extent and Intensity
2/0. 6 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
PhDr. Jaromír Volek, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Jana Pokorná (assistant), Mgr. Kateřina Menclerová (deputy)
Guaranteed by
PhDr. Jaromír Volek, Ph.D.
Department of Media Studies and Journalism – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: PhDr. Jaromír Volek, Ph.D.
Timetable
Thu 14:00–15:40 exP52
Prerequisites (in Czech)
SMER(MED)
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 38 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/38, only registered: 0/38, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/38
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The course provide introduction to the evolution of mass communication effects research including early period of „powerful effects“ models of 1940s (for example hypodermic needle theory), the „limited effects“ research of the late 1950s and 1960s (the theory of pesuasion, the theory of selective perception, two step flow model of communication, the theory of reinforcement and so on). In the final part of the course we will consider current scientific interest, which stresses „the return of powerful media effects theory“ (for example the theory of agenda-setting, the theory of cultivation analysis, the spiral of silence theory, the theory of knowledge gaps and so on). In this context the course will focus on question of media violence effects and pornography effects and will introduce basic principles and methods of their analysis too. At the end of this course, students should be able to: A/understand key theories of mmedia effects B/ how to analyse media effects and design research strategy
Syllabus
  • 1. Media impact, media influence, media effect: basic definition
  • 2.The key topics of media impact debate
  • 3.Theory of perception
  • 4.Social perception and media content
  • 5. Selectivity and media
  • 6. Persuasion theory and media
  • 7. Two step flow communication and opinion leaders
  • 8. Agenda setting I.
  • 9. Agenda setting II.
  • 10. Knowledge gap
  • 11. Spiral of silence
  • 12. Cultivation analysis
  • 13. Aggression and violence in media content
Literature
  • McCombs, M.: News Influence on Our Pictures of the World. in: Media Effects Research, Sage 1989
  • McQuail, D.: Úvod do teorie masové komunikace. Portál 1999.
  • Klapper, J.: Reinforcement, Minor Change and Related Phenomena. In: The Effects of Mass Communication. Glencoe, Illinois 1960
  • Kunczik, M.: Základy masové komunikace. Karolinum. 1995.
Assessment methods
lectures written test and formal essay
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course can also be completed outside the examination period.
The course is taught annually.
General note: Kurz si mohou zapsat posluchači, kteří absolvovali předmět ZUR104 Úvod do mediálních a komunikačních studií.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2000, Spring 2001, Spring 2002, Spring 2006, Autumn 2006, Autumn 2007, Autumn 2009, Autumn 2010, Autumn 2011, Autumn 2012, Autumn 2013, Autumn 2014, Autumn 2015, Autumn 2016, Autumn 2017, Autumn 2018, Autumn 2019.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2008, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2008/ZUR110