Mass Media and Society explores how media shapes our culture and society. You'll analyze different forms of media like TV, social media, and news outlets, and how they influence public opinion. The course covers topics like media ownership, propaganda, advertising techniques, and the impact of technology on communication. You'll also learn about media literacy and how to critically evaluate the information you consume.

Is Mass Media and Society hard?

Most students find Mass Media and Society pretty manageable. The concepts aren't super complex, but there's a lot of reading and analysis involved. You'll need to stay on top of current events and be ready to discuss them in class. The trickiest part is often learning to look at media critically, which can be a new skill for many. Overall, if you're interested in the topic and keep up with the readings, you should be fine.

Tips for taking Mass Media and Society in college

Use Fiveable Study Guides to help you cram 🌶️
Stay up-to-date with current events by following reputable news sources
Practice media literacy skills by analyzing commercials, news articles, and social media posts
Participate in class discussions - they're usually pretty interesting
Create a media diary to track your personal media consumption habits
Watch documentaries like "The Social Dilemma" or "Outfoxed" for real-world examples
Read books like "Manufacturing Consent" by Noam Chomsky for deeper insights
Form study groups to discuss and debate media-related topics

Common pre-requisites for Mass Media and Society

Introduction to Communication: This course covers the basics of human communication, including interpersonal, group, and public communication. It lays the foundation for understanding how we exchange information and ideas.

Media Writing: In this class, you'll learn how to write for various media platforms, including news articles, press releases, and social media content. It's a hands-on course that helps you develop practical writing skills for the media industry.

Classes similar to Mass Media and Society

Media Ethics: This course dives into the ethical dilemmas faced by media professionals. You'll explore case studies and debate issues like privacy, censorship, and journalistic integrity.

Digital Media and Culture: Here, you'll examine how digital technologies are changing our social interactions and cultural practices. It covers topics like social media, online communities, and digital activism.

Global Communication: This class looks at how media operates on an international scale. You'll learn about cross-cultural communication, media systems in different countries, and the impact of globalization on media.

Public Opinion and Propaganda: In this course, you'll study how public opinion is formed and influenced. It covers techniques of persuasion, the role of media in shaping beliefs, and historical examples of propaganda.

Communications: Focuses on various forms of human communication, including interpersonal, organizational, and mass media. Students learn about media production, theory, and research methods.

Journalism: Prepares students for careers in news reporting and media production. Coursework includes writing, editing, and multimedia storytelling techniques.

Media Studies: Examines the role of media in society from cultural, historical, and critical perspectives. Students analyze media texts and learn about media industries and technologies.

Advertising: Combines creativity with strategic thinking to create persuasive messages. Students learn about consumer behavior, market research, and campaign development.

Public Relations: Focuses on managing communication between organizations and the public. Students learn about reputation management, crisis communication, and strategic messaging.

What can you do with a degree in Mass Media and Society?

Media Analyst: Researches and analyzes media trends, audience behavior, and content performance. They provide insights to help organizations make data-driven decisions about their media strategies.

Social Media Manager: Develops and implements social media strategies for brands or organizations. They create content, engage with audiences, and analyze social media metrics to improve online presence.

Public Relations Specialist: Manages an organization's public image and communication strategies. They write press releases, coordinate with media outlets, and handle crisis communication situations.

Content Creator: Produces various forms of media content for digital platforms, including videos, podcasts, and written articles. They often work independently or for media companies to create engaging content for specific audiences.

Media Planner: Develops strategies for placing advertisements across various media channels. They analyze target audiences and media consumption habits to create effective advertising campaigns for clients.