MEDA18621G
Media and Current Events, The
Sheridan
 
  I: Administrative Information   II: Course Details   III: Topical Outline(s)  Printable Version
 

Land Acknowledgement

First Nations peoples have lived on this part of Turtle Island for millennia, stewarding the land, the water and all that contributes to life in this region. Today, the culture and presence of First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples enrich the lands and people of this territory.

Over two centuries ago, the Mississauga people welcomed settlers to this territory, providing sustenance and engaging in trade and commerce. Between 1781 to 1820, eight treaties were signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation who opened their territory to settlement. Today, Sheridan campuses are located on Treaty 14, also known as the Head of the Lake Purchase of 1806 and Treaty 22 and 23 of 1820.

Treaty history is foundational, and it is our collective responsibility to honour the land, as we honour and respect those who have gone before us, those who are here and those who have yet to come. We are grateful for the opportunity to be learning, working and thriving on this land, and we commit to learn the truth and be active in the process of reconciliation.


Section I: Administrative Information
  Total hours: 42.0
Credit Value: 3.0
Credit Value Notes: N/A
Effective: Winter 2019
Prerequisites: N/A
Corequisites: N/A
Equivalents: N/A
Pre/Co/Equiv Notes: N/A

Program(s): General Education
Program Coordinator(s): Jessica Merolli
Course Leader or Contact: Michele Lemon
Version: 20190107_01
Status: Approved (APPR)

Section I Notes: N/A

 
 
Section II: Course Details

Detailed Description
This course provides opportunities for students to acquire foundation knowledge about the mass media and how news is reported and analyzed, focusing on the interplay between current events and the mass media. Throughout the course, students will have opportunities to think for themselves and to critically analyze various news items and topics under discussion. Course delivery includes a variety of methodologies from standard lecture format to topical video presentations and group work.

Program Context

 
General Education Program Coordinator(s): Jessica Merolli
This course is part of the General Education curriculum which is designed to contribute to the development of the students' consciousness of the diversity, complexity, and richness of the human experience; their ability to establish meaning through this consciousness; and, as a result, their ability to contribute thoughtfully, creatively, and positively to the society in which they live and work. General Education courses strengthen students' generic skills, such as critical analysis, problem solving, and communication, in the context of an exploration of topics with broad-based personal and/or societal importance.


Course Critical Performance and Learning Outcomes

  Critical Performance:
This course meets the purpose of General Education by contributing to the development of citizens who are aware of the power of the media in their lives and who can analyze media pieces so that they can make well-informed personal decisions about civic affairs. This course strengthens students' generic skills such as critical analysis, oral communication in the context of presentations and writing skills.
 
Learning Outcomes:

To achieve the critical performance, students will have demonstrated the ability to:

  1. Evaluate the power and influence of the mass media
  2. Analyze the media's treatment of a variety of issues and topics
  3. Provide varying interpretations of a story
  4. Explain the dilemmas facing contemporary journalists
  5. Discuss the diversity of the mass media
  6. Explain the values that are represented in media stories
  7. Discuss the differences between a media campaign for a product and a person
  8. Explain what media leaks are and why they are important
  9. Analyze the relationship between politics and the media and how politicians can manipulate the media
  10. Generate oral and written work that reflects a responsible attitude toward keeping informed and a respect for differing points of view

Evaluation Plan
Students demonstrate their learning in the following ways:

 Evaluation Plan: IN-CLASS
 Short Presentation5.0%
 Thought Piece10.0%
 Film Analysis20.0%
 Project Proposal5.0%
 Final Project30.0%
 Final Test30.0%
Total100.0%

Evaluation Notes and Academic Missed Work Procedure:
TEST AND ASSIGNMENT PROTOCOL To encourage behaviours that will help students to be successful in the workplace and to ensure that students receive credit for their individual work, the following rules apply to every course offered within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. 1. Students are responsible for staying abreast of test dates and times, as well as due dates and any special instructions for submitting assignments and projects as supplied to the class by the professor. 2. Students must write all tests at the specified times. Missed tests, in-class activities, assignments and presentations are awarded a mark of zero. If an extension or make-up opportunity is approved by the professor as outlined below, the mark of zero may be revised by subsequent performance. The penalty for late submission of written assignments is a loss of 10% per day for up to five business days (excluding weekends and statutory holidays), after which, a grade of zero is assigned. Business days include any day that the college is open for business, whether the student has scheduled classes that day or not. 3. Students, who miss a test or in-class activity or assignment or fail to submit an assignment on time due to exceptional circumstances, are required to notify their professor in advance of the class whenever possible. A make-up test may be supplied for students who provide an acceptable explanation of their absence and/or acceptable documentation explaining their absence (e.g., a medical certificate). All make-up tests are to be written at a time and place specified by the professor upon the student's return. Alternately, students may be given an opportunity to earn the associated marks by having a subsequent test count for the additional marks. Exceptional circumstances may result in a modification of due dates for assignments. 4. Unless otherwise specified, assignments and projects must be submitted at the beginning of class. 5. Students must complete every assignment as an individual effort unless, the professor specifies otherwise. 6. Since there may be instances of grade appeal or questions regarding the timely completion of assignments and/or extent of individual effort, etc., students are strongly advised to keep, and make available to their professor, if requested, a copy of all assignments and working notes until the course grade has been finalized. 7. There will be no resubmission of work unless this has been previously agreed to or suggested by the professor. 8. Students must submit all assignments in courses with practical lab and field components in order to pass the course.

Provincial Context
The course meets the following Ministry of Colleges and Universities requirements:


 

Essential Employability Skills
Essential Employability Skills emphasized in the course:

  • Communication Skills - Communicate clearly, concisely and correctly in the written, spoken, visual form that fulfills the purpose and meets the needs of the audience.
  • Communication Skills - Respond to written, spoken, or visual messages in a manner that ensures effective communication.
  • Critical Thinking & Problem Solving Skills - Use a variety of thinking skills to anticipate and solve problems.
  • Information Management - Locate, select, organize and document information using appropriate technology and information systems.
  • Interpersonal Skills - Show respect for the diverse opinions, values, belief systems, and contributions of others.
  • Interpersonal Skills - Interact with others in groups or teams in ways that contribute to effective working relationships and the achievement of goals.
  • Personal Skills - Manage the use of time and other resources to complete projects.
  • Personal Skills - Take responsibility for one's own actions, decisions, and consequences.

General Education
This General Education course relates to the following themes as specified by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities.

  • Civic Life

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition
PLAR Contact (if course is PLAR-eligible) - Office of the Registrar
Students may apply to receive credit by demonstrating achievement of the course learning outcomes through previous relevant work/life experience, service, self-study and training on the job. This course is eligible for challenge through the following method(s):

  • Challenge Exam
    Notes:  
  • Portfolio
    Notes:  
  • Interview
    Notes:  

 
 
Section III: Topical Outline
Some details of this outline may change as a result of circumstances such as weather cancellations, College and student activities, and class timetabling.
Instruction Mode: In-Class
Professor: Multiple Professors
Resource(s):
Course material costs can be found through the Sheridan Bookstore

 TypeDescription
RequiredTextbookMedia Literacy for Citizenship: A Canadian Perspective, Kirsten Kozolanka and Paul Orlowski, Canadian Scholars Press, ISBN 9781773380797

Applicable student group(s): General Education Electives
Course Details:

 

MODULE 1
 
Introduction
Course requirements
Discussion of current events
 
The Communication Revolution
Mass Communication and modern technology, access to information
Marshall McLuhan
Short presentation (5%)
 
Chapters 3 & 10
_________________________________________________________________________
MODULE 2
 
What is News?
Objectivity
The Canadian Mosaic
Indigenous Representation in the Media
"The Other" in the Media
Thought Piece due (10%)
 
Chapters 7 & 8
_________________________________________________________________________
MODULE 3
 
Media Ownership
Media and Government
Political campaigns 
 
Social issues and mass media
Film Analysis due (20%)
 
Chapter 2
_____________________________________________________________________
MODULE 4
 
Freedom of the Press
Censorship 
 
Propaganda
Hollywood and the military
Proposal due (5%)
 
Chapter 9
________________________________________________________________________
MODULE 5
 
Social media and the news 
The Non-Journalist
Media Ethics & Privacy
 
Chapter 4
______________________________________________________________________
MODULE 6
 
Major Project (30%) 
 
Final Test (30%)
______________________________________________________________________
 


Sheridan Policies

It is recommended that students read the following policies in relation to course outlines:

  • Academic Integrity
  • Copyright
  • Intellectual Property
  • Respectful Behaviour
  • Accessible Learning

All Sheridan policies can be viewed on the Sheridan policy website.

Appropriate use of generative Artificial Intelligence tools: In alignment with Sheridan's Academic Integrity Policy, students should consult with their professors and/or refer to evaluation instructions regarding the appropriate use, or prohibition, of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools for coursework. Turnitin AI detection software may be used by faculty members to screen assignment submissions or exams for unauthorized use of artificial intelligence. Students are encouraged to engage with generative AI in teaching and learning contexts thoughtfully. Please review the Guidelines for the Responsible Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence at Sheridan College.

Course Outline Changes: The information contained in this Course Outline including but not limited to faculty and program information and course description is subject to change without notice. Any changes to course curriculum and/or assessment shall adhere to approved Sheridan protocol. Nothing in this Course Outline should be viewed as a representation, offer and/or warranty. Students are responsible for reading the Important Notice and Disclaimer which applies to Programs and Courses.


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