Media Advocacy and Social Change

Media Advocacy and Social Change
Communication principles, theories, and approaches applied to effect social change. Approaches may include public policy, grass roots advocacy, social marketing, and social movements.
COMMS
416
 Hours3.0 Credit, 3.0 Lecture, 0.0 Lab
 PrerequisitesMajor or minor status.
 TaughtContact Department
 ProgramsContaining COMMS 416
Course Outcomes

Social Advocacy and Government Policy

As citizens, students will better understand the importance of social advocacy in democracy and understand that both media and citizens have unique opportunities to influence the direction of government policies as well as public opinion.

Lifelong Learning and Responsible Media Use

In the process of becoming life-long learners, students will regularly follow news media coverage of current events to gain an increased appreciation of freedom of speech in the market place of ideas and how to responsibly utilize it with current social and political issues.

Effects of Mass Media on Society

As voters, students will be able to think critically about the relationship between mass media and society and be able to articulate the positive and negative effects of mass media practices on society, especially as those effects relate to objectivity in political matters.

Consumer Communication Interactions

Students will become more professional by comprehending the complex interaction between citizens (public opinion), the news media, the legal process and lobbying by corporations, associations and other advocacy groups.

Social and Political Advocacy

Students will learn to make significant contributions as involved citizens by being able to ethically apply to social and political advocacy situations the communications skills they are now learning.