Kingsborough Community College
The City University of New York

Syllabus

MCB 35: Introduction to Broadcasting - 3 credits, 3 hours

Description: A survey of broadcasting (radio and television) and other telecommunications media. An examination of historical, legal, social, economic, aesthetic and ethical issues related to these media. Introduction to form, content, and consequences of mediated communication in modern culture.

Course Objectives:

1. Students should know the history and contemporary status of radio and television, including popular music and emergent communication technologies
2. Students must sense the structure of electronic media operations and of media-related industries
3. Students should be able to discuss the various social and psychological issues that are associated with the process of broadcast communication

Methods of Teaching Course: Assigned readings from text and current articles; lectures; hands on activities (writing and producing copy) also writing and producing a radio broadcast; radio and television profiles

Assignments for Students:

• Reading from text
• Critical listening and reporting of radio and television programming

Method of Evaluation:

• Commentary papers
• Written exams

Topical Course Outline:

l. Growth of American radio and television [mid-term]

A. Technical developments and theories [mid-term]

1. Contributions by experimenters [mid-term]
2. Contributions by artistic entrepreneurs [mid-term]

B. Federal commissions [mid-term]

C. Early Programming

1. Formats [short research project]
2. Stars [short research project]

D. Networks, groups and stations [mid-term]
E. TV quietly begins experimenting
F. Radio programming matures

1. 1930's [in-class prepared discussion]
2. War years [in-class prepared discussion]

G. Post-War technologies

1. Effects on recording industry, radio, TV [short report]

H. Birth of commercial TV [final exam]

1. Early TV programming [short research project]
2. Effect on radio formats/sales [short research project]

I. Rebirth of radio (1960s-1970s) [in-class prepared discussion]
J. TV growth and technical changes [final exam]
K. Recent technical aspects (1990s-today) [final exam]

ll. Broadcast personnel [final exam]

lll. Social aspects [final exam]

lV. The public interest

V. Self-regulation [final exam]

A. NAB

Vl.Broadcasting as a career [personal research]

Bibliography:
Abelman, R. (1997). A critical analysis of television entertainment. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Abercrombie, N. (1996). Television and society. Cambridge, MA: Blackwell Publishing.

Allen, R. C. (1985). Speaking of soap operas. Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina Press.

Barlow, W. (1999). Voice Over: the making of black radio. Philadelphia: Temple University Press.

Bliss, E. Jr. (1991). Now the News:The story of broadcast journalism. New York: Columbia University Press.

Halper, D. L. (2001). Invisible stars: a social history of women in american broadcasting. Armonk, NY: M. E. Shapre.

Hilliard, R. L. (2001). Media, education, and america"s counter-culture. Westport, CT: Ablex.

Inglis, A. W. (1990). Behind the tube: A history of broadcasting technology and business. Boston: Focal Press.

Johnson, P. & M. C. Keith. (2001). Queer airwaves: the story of gay and lesbian broadcasting. Armonk, NY: M. E. Sharpe.

Krattenmaker, T. G., & L. A. Powe, Jr. (1994). Regulating broadcast programming. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

Schiffer, M. B. (1991). The portable radio in American life. Tucson, AZ: University of Arizona Press.