Dr. Faye Steuer 55 Coming St., 1st floor

Phone: 953-8196 Email: steuerf@cofc.edu

Packet of materials available at SAS-E Ink, 79 Wentworth St., across from Andolini's Pizza

Steuer, F.B., & Hustedt, J.T. (2002). TV or no TV? A primer on the psychology of television. Lanham,

MD: University Press of America.

Psychology 103 (Introductory Psychology) and Psychology 311 (Developmental Psychology).

In this course we will be examining the role of mass media in the development of human beings. There is more psychological literature addressing the role of television in the lives of children than other media or other age groups, so we will focus more on television and children than on other topics. However, we will examine recent research on other electronic media as well.

I think that you will find, as I have, that many fascinating issues come into play as you examine the role of media in development. These issues involve the nature of the media themselves as well as humans' reactions to them. By this time in history--roughly 55 years after the "beginning" of American television--a tremendous number of articles that examine media's role in development have been published. These articles form a massive body of work that is, in many ways, not ideally coherent. In selecting readings for this course, I have attempted to focus in on a few issues that I judge to be particularly important and interesting.

I expect all students to be in class, on time, every time we meet and to have read the assigned materials. Attendance will be taken every time we meet. Anyone missing three classes will be dropped from the course. (Such draconian measures are necessary because of the nature and structure of this course.)

I will give a short quiz at the beginning of most classes. You should expect one every time. These will give you an opportunity to see how well you are understanding the reading.

There will be four 50-point exams during the course of the regular semester. There will be a 50-point cumulative, take-home final. In-class exams will typically consist of some combination of multiple-choice, true-false, fill-in, and short essay questions.

With four 50-point exams and a 50-point final, you can earn a possible total of 250 points in the course. Your final grade will be based on the total number of points you earn, as follows:

If you have any questions or concerns about the course, please come and talk with me about them! The sooner you come, the better.

^*** There is no assignment but class attendance is expected.

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