COMM 4452 News Media/Democracy
Satisfies one of two required writing-intensive courses for Communication majorsThe press plays an essential role in America and the world. This course aims to equip students to become critical news consumers with both a skilled understanding of how journalism works and political literacy about the big issues of our time. Through classic scholarly reflections as well as contemporary punditry examples, we will tackle the news media critically across three dimensions: learning about its indispensable function in mediating politics and democracy throughout history and today; studying and practicing the craft of opining writing and social advocacy; and evaluating and critiquing the performance of the press across these fronts.
Course overview
- Department
- Communication
- School
- MCAS
- Credits
- 3
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Offered
- Periodically
Requirements fulfilled
- Communication: Electives (four courses, 12 credits): any 3-credit class offered by the department; COMM5589 Internship Practicum may count once (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- Communication: Writing Intensive Seminars (two courses numbered COMM4425-COMM4499, excluding COMM4485) (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
Course evaluations
- Course rating
- 4.66 / 5 · Excellent
- Instructor rating
- 4.94 / 5 · Excellent
- Terms evaluated
- 3
| Term | Instructor | Course overall | Instructor overall | Well organized | Clear learning objectives | Intellectually challenging | Helpful assignments | Applicable beyond course | Attendance necessary | Weekly effort | Responses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | Michael Serazio | 4.6 | 5.0 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4.6 | 4.8 | 4.6 | 4–6 hrs/week | 14 of 16 |
| Spring 2024 | Michael Serazio | 4.7 | 4.9 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.6 | 4–6 hrs/week | 12 of 16 |
| Fall 2022 | Michael Serazio | 4.7 | 4.9 | 5.0 | 4.9 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 5.0 | 4.8 | 4–6 hrs/week | 25 of 31 |