ASSESSMENT PLAN
Mass Media and Society (JMC 460) will become the capstone course for all departmental
majors. |
2000-01 ASSESSMENT
|
1999-00 ASSESSMENT
Thirty-four students were enrolled in the spring 2000 Mass Media in Society (JMC 460)
course. Of those, 28 earned a C grade or above, which indicates their understanding of the
roles and functions of mass media in society to include: major theoretical concepts,
principle mass communications research methods and some of the current ethical concerns
involving media.
These students: summarized scholarly journal articles from the mass communications field,
participated in activities and exercises selected to demonstrate key mass communications
theoretical concepts and ethical concerns, completed the mid-term and final essay
examinations and conducted a textual analysis project that was presented in formal
research paper format.
For the main project, students conducted original research by content analyzing select
media text. For example, students examined the depiction of violence in select films, the
representation of gender in children’s television programming and on popular music
packaging, the depiction of women and men in various print advertising media, the
emergence of select themes in romance novels, to name a few. This assignment also required
the students to present a recent review of the literature on the topic. One project —
a group effort — involved a relatively large-scale survey of UNK students to examine
students’ understanding of popular music lyrics. Some students completed their
projects in a superior manner. Many students, while missing the superior mark, did
demonstrate an ability to examine a topic that is grounded in theoretical concepts as well
as interpret the research in a manner consistent with the objectives of the course. A
handful of students worked closely with the professor and/or with Writing Center
counselors. In fact, these students demonstrated the ability to complete papers that were
clearly written, mechanically sound, and consistent with the style of presenting research
in this field. |
1998-99 ASSESSMENT
Twenty-three of 25 students enrolled in Mass Media in Society (JMC 460) during spring 1999
passed the course with a C grade or above. In so doing, these students successfully
demonstrated their understanding of the roles and functions of mass media in society to
include: major theoretical concepts, principle mass communications research methods, and
some of the current ethical concerns involving media. Students provided evidence of their
understanding through textbook and journal article readings and written summaries,
activities and exercises, mid-term and final essay examinations and a research paper.
The research paper assignment involved students examining a current mass communications
issue in terms of a select theoretical perspective. The assignment also required the
students to present a recent review of the literature on the topic. Several students
successfully conducted original research as a means by which to explore their respective
topic. Indeed, some students completed their projects in a superior manner. Many students,
while missing the superior mark, did demonstrate an ability to examine a topic that is
grounded in theoretical concepts as well as interpret the research in a manner consistent
with the objectives of the course. Students, especially those who worked closely with the
professor or with Writing Center counselors, also demonstrated the ability to complete
papers that were clearly written, mechanically sound, and consistent with the style of
presenting research in this field.
|
1997-98 ASSESSMENT
Students successfully completing JMC 460 Mass Media in Society generally demonstrated
their understanding of the roles and functions of the mass media in society. For example,
through textbook readings, workbook exercises and activities and the mid- term and final
essay examinations students provided evidence that they understood both the long and
short-term effects of the content of mass communication on society. Students also
demonstrated they could articulate their understanding of the theoretical concepts,
research methodologies and ethical concerns of mass media scholars and practitioners. For their term papers, students researched and
wrote about the potential impact of long- term exposure to mediated messages in terms of
mass communications theory. Some of the topics explored this semester included: body image
and advertising, representation of women in media, representation of Hispanics in media,
drug use in popular film and its effects on youth, effects of cigarette advertising on
adolescents, effectiveness of fear tactics in editorial advertising, depiction of violence
in sports media and graphic enhancements in print advertising. To examine these topics,
students used such mass communications theories as social construction of reality,
cultivation, schema and spiral of silence theories.
While some students struggle in their
writing as well as in utilizing appropriate citation and referencing style, many students
were successful in this endeavor--especially those who worked with the professor
throughout the assignment process: from formulating a focused thesis statement, submitting
a preliminary abstracted bibliography, writing a first draft through correcting and
polishing the final paper. Students were encouraged to seek assistance through the Writing
Center, although few did take advantage of this service.
And although there were few papers that
could be rated as superior, many students were able to adequately examine a mass media
issue that is grounded in theoretical concepts and interpret and discuss their research in
a manner that is consistent with the objectives of this course. |
1996-97
ASSESSMENT
Students enrolled in JMC 460 Mass Media and Society (n = 28) during the spring semester of
1996, were required to produce a major research paper of 20 pages related to an area of
interest in the mass media. The papers were reviewed in relation to what the Department
considers one of its three primary objectives: "to increase students' understanding
of the roles and functions of the mass media in society." Overall, students did appear to have a good
understanding of the roles and functions of the mass media in society. They demonstrated
an understanding of the potential impact of long-term exposure to mediated messages (i.e.,
advertising, depictions of women and minorities and public relations activities), legal
issues related to the field and/or processes related to human cognition. Many of the
students successfully tied mass communication theory to the subject areas in their papers
(i.e., Cultivation Theory and Television Programming).
Regarding mechanics, many students had
difficulty with the proper citation of sources and referencing primary sources. This is
related to the fact that much of the writing that Journalism and Mass Communication
students complete in classes in the department is not scientific; it is often focused on
writing advertisements, position papers, articles for newspapers or broadcasts and news
stories. More instruction in referencing and citing will take place in the capstone course
as it does not appear to be necessary to incorporate research writing into the current
curricula.
Papers written by some students,
particularly Broadcast Production Management majors, were poorly written or had grammar
and spelling errors. This will continue to be a major concern. The unit currently has
numerous courses which focus on writing of many different forms and additional writing
classes have been incorporated into all of the sequences. Realistically, there will
probably never come a time when the all of the students in the course produce superior
quality research papers. |
1995-96
ASSESSMENT
Students enrolled in JMC 460 Mass Media and Society during the spring semester of 1996,
were required to produce a major research paper (20 pages minimum) related to an area of
interest in the mass media. The papers were reviewed in relation to what the Department
considers one of its three primary objectives: "to increase students' understanding
of the roles and functions of the mass media in society." The papers written by two
transfer students who graduated in May 1996 were weak. In the initial stages of the
writing and review process, the papers were unfocused, very brief and the materials
selected for inclusion were weak. In past assessment activities, transfer students have
not met the expectations of the faculty. Otherwise, students did seem to understand the
various roles media play as well as their functions. Students with a news orientation
(i.e., News-Editorial, Broadcast Journalism) seemed to be weak in terms of judging what
constitutes news. Some seemed unable to effectively engage in enterprise reporting or
prospecting. These, however, are abilities that one develops throughout one's career in
the media. Generally, papers produced by Broadcasting Production Management students were
weak in the area of writing (composition, grammar and spelling). The Broadcast Production
Management sequence was recently restructured. Another writing course may need to be added
to the sequences. The result of the earlier changes in the curriculum will not be apparent
until more of the current freshmen and sophomores move through the system. |
1994-95
ASSESSMENT
The capstone course, JMC 460 Mass Media and Society, has been in place in all JMC options
since August of 1994. It is currently offered in spring semesters only. The Senior Thesis
was not implemented last spring due to procedural problems. It was felt that it would be
difficult for one faculty member to supervise 20 - 25 theses in one semester. The Senior
Thesis will be dropped in favor of a major research paper that will be produced in the
same course. Copies of the research papers will be kept on file in the Department. The
Chair in conjunction with the instructors will review the papers and will summarize their
strengths and weaknesses for the next assessment report. There are not any results to
report at this time concerning the capstone course. |
1993-94
ASSESSMENT
The necessary paperwork and curriculum restructuring for positioning JMC 460 Mass Media
and Society as the capstone course for all departmental sequences was completed during the
last academic year. As such, JMC 460 is included in each departmental major beginning Fall
of 1994 (see 1994-1996 Undergraduate Catalog, pp. 139 - 141). The Senior Thesis will be
included as a course requirement in the Mass Media and Society class beginning August
1994. Thus, there are not any results to report at this time concerning the capstone
course and the Senior Thesis. |
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