JOUR 3726 - American Media: History, Principles and Practices
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 01, CRN 43778,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Trevor Ivan
Email: tjivan@ysu.edu
Course Description
3726. American Media: History, Principles and Practices. The development of American mass media, the role of media and its effects on American society. A survey course designed to familiarize students with the principles and practices involved in the industries associated with mass media. Cross-Listed: MCOM 3726. 3 s.h.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| No textbook required for this course |
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Day | Date | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tue | 8/25 | Course introduction | |
| Thu | 8/27 | Diffusion of innovations & symbolic interactionism | |
| Tue | 9/1 | The study of history & early communication scholarship | |
| Thu | 9/3 | The modern communication & information environment | |
| Tue | 9/8 | Basic introduction to First Amendment law & principles | |
| Thu | 9/10 | The role and definition of a free press Information processing |
|
| Tue | 9/15 | Invention of the printing press & other disruptive technologies | |
| Thu | 9/17 | Evolution of photography & visual technology | |
| Tue | 9/22 | Group Investigation 1 (workday in class) | |
| Thu | 9/24 | Group Investigation 1 Presentations & Discussion | |
| Tue | 9/29 | Telegraph & early electronic communication Review for Exam 1 |
|
| Thu | 10/1 | Exam 1 | |
| Tue | 10/6 | The beginnings of effects theory & early radio | |
| Thu | 10/8 | Early television | |
| Tue | 10/13 | Rise of cable and changing audience demographics | |
| Thu | 10/15 | New digital technologies and their impact on society | |
| Tue | 10/20 | Early Internet regulations & their impact today | |
| Thu | 10/22 | Group Investigation 2 (workday in class) | |
| Tue | 10/27 | Group Investigation 2 (workday in class) | |
| Thu | 10/29 | Group Investigation 2 Presentations & Discussion | |
| Tue | 11/3 | Group Investigation 2 Presentations & Discussion (if needed) Review for Exam 2 |
|
| Thu | 11/5 | Exam 2 | |
| Tue | 11/10 | Persuasive media & public opinion formation | |
| Thu | 11/12 | Advertising and public relations | |
| Tue | 11/17 | Impact of social media & new technologies | |
| Thu | 11/19 | Group Investigation 3 (workday in class) | |
| Tue | 11/24 | Group Investigation 3 (workday in class) | |
| Thu | 11/26 | No class~Thanksgiving Day | |
| Tue | 12/1 | Group Investigation 3 (workday in class) | |
| Thu | 12/3 | Group Investigation 3 (workday in class) | |
| Thu | 12/10 | Group investigation 3 presentations during final exam period (10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.) Take-home final due by 11:59 p.m. on Blackboard |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.