COMM 3372 Media Theory
Satisfies the required theory course in the Communication major. The mass media wields tremendous power - this course investigates that power across a wide variety of social, cultural, and political dimensions. We will read an assortment of underlying theoretical approaches to mass communication, looking at both the structural constraints in the production process and the interpretive agency of audiences. Our targets for analysis will be similarly wide-ranging, drawn from advertising, journalism, entertainment, and social media.
Course overview
- Department
- Communication
- School
- MCAS
- Credits
- 3
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Offered
- Every Fall, Every Spring
Requirements fulfilled
Course evaluations
- Course rating
- 4.67 / 5 · Excellent
- Instructor rating
- 4.74 / 5 · Excellent
- Terms evaluated
- 7
| Term | Instructor | Course overall | Instructor overall | Well organized | Clear learning objectives | Intellectually challenging | Helpful assignments | Applicable beyond course | Attendance necessary | Weekly effort | Responses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2026 | Michael Serazio | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4–6 hrs/week | 43 of 55 |
| Fall 2025 | Kalemba Kizito | 4.0 | 3.9 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.1 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 1–3 hrs/week | 8 of 12 |
| Spring 2025 | Michael Serazio | 4.8 | 4.9 | 5.0 | 4.9 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4–6 hrs/week | 47 of 55 |
| Fall 2024 | Kalemba Kizito | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 1–3 hrs/week | 25 of 35 |
| Spring 2024 | Michael Serazio | 4.9 | 4.9 | 5.0 | 4.9 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 5.0 | 4–6 hrs/week | 44 of 54 |
| Spring 2023 | Michael Serazio | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.6 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 1–3 hrs/week | 51 of 61 |
| Spring 2022 | Renee Pastel | 3.9 | 4.2 | 4.8 | 4.6 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.1 | 4.7 | 4–6 hrs/week | 23 of 39 |