1. Students will become familiar with the theoretical foundations that addresses the concept of hegemony and media censorship and the historical factors that lead to modern media concentration.

2. Class participants will learn to conduct detailed library research on media coverage of important national news stories.

3. The techniques of writing and rewriting a short synopsis of news stories will be an important component of the course.

4. The impacts of media concentration on First Amendment rights will be an central topic in the course, and students will be able to publicly articulate these important issues.

5. Students will become familiar with how corporate media selects news stories and how the structural aspects of media organizations can impact news story development.

6. Students will learn to write and edit a full story with author updates for publication in the Censored 2005 for publication.

Class Assignments :

Weekly reading assignments are to be read before class and students should prepared to discuss the reading in class. Students will monitor assigned independent press publications or websites each week and report in class recommendations for story nominations.

Six media coverage reports

Media Coverage reports will be conducted on a weekly basis starting the second week of class. Reports will include a search history and summary of media coverage on a specific news story. A total of 6 media coverage reports are due in class.

Three 200 Word Story Synopsis

Prepare three 200-word story synopsis from the news stories selected in class as finalists for the 3/15-selection process.

Final 600-700 word story synopsis publication in Censored 2006

Over a period of several weeks students will write and rewrite a 600-word synopsis for inclusion in the Censored 2005 book. The final full news story synopsis will be due on April 19. Updates by the story authors and addition research can be added until May 3. The story synopsis with updates by authors must be fully edited and in a print ready Microsoft Word format by May 10.

Class Grading:

This is a highly participatory course, and students are required to attend class every week. Roll will be taken and unexcused absences may result in a lowering of the final grade.

All written work must be completed in order to earn a grade for the course.

Grading:

Six Media Coverage reports 25%

Two Short Story Synopsis 10%

1 Full Story Synopsis 35%

Participation/Attendance 30%

Class Calendar : TBA

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