SSC 224 Media Psychology (= UCSSCPSY24)

Content

Media psychology is a theoretically-oriented, empirical science at the intersection of psychology and communication media. The course familiarizes students with the psychology of media uses, processes, effects, and applications. Of interest are the psychological antecedents and consequences of mass media, especially television, computer networks and the internet. Nearly all aspects of psychology and social science have relevance to media studies, especially cognitive science, social psychology, and child development.

Aim

The course aims to provide students with a thorough grounding in theory and research and an appreciation of the emerging field of media psychology. These goals are accomplished through a combination of lectures, readings, discussions, demonstrations, and student papers, research, presentations, and exams.

Course Proceedings

Not available.

Evaluation/Assessment

• midterm exam: 30%
• final exam: 30%
• paper: 30%
• class projects, participation: 10%

Course Material

David Giles (in press), Media Psychology. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Prerequisites

The following course is required in order to take this course:

• SSC 121 Introduction to Psychology (= UCSSCPSY11)

Required for

• SSC 322 Ethnic Relations (= UCSSCSOC33)
• SSC 324 Psychology in the Courtroom (= UCSSCPSY32)

Weekly Overview

week	topic
1	Theories & methods in media psychology
3	Media genres
5	Violence and the media
7	Children and the media
9	Advertising
11	Video and computer games
13	New media
15	Psychology in the media