Communication 121 - Intro to Media and Culture

An introduction to the social role of mass media in advanced industrial Western societies, focusing on how relationships between mass communications and the surrounding economic framework affect cultural, political, and ideological processes in society. An examination of social and historical contexts within which newspapers, radio, and television developed and how they are structured with attention to both the domestic and international implications of treating mass media as just another industry.

Open to Sophomores & Freshmen only. For students entering UMASS beginning in the Fall 2011 Semester, COMM 121 is one of the two (2) 100-level COMM Subject Area courses that can be used as prerequisites for applying to the COMM major. (The other 100-level COMM prerequisite courses that can be used for applying to the COMM major are COMM 118, COMM 122, COMM 125 and COMM 140). 50 seats reserved for COMM majors.