In 2020, the average U.S. consumer spent seven hours and 50 minutes consuming media daily, up 15 minutes from 2019, with 58% of respondents saying that their total media consumption had grown. Most people know very little about the history of media or its economic and societal impacts. Over eight 60-minute classes, students will learn about the evolution of media from the invention of the printing press to everyone having a world of information in the palm of their hand. No prior knowledge is required. No assignments outside of class. No required reading. Topics to be covered include: the origins of print, radio, TV, social media and the size of their audiences; how different types of media generate income; how media is or is not regulated; news vs. journalism; commercial vs. noncommercial media; an attempt to forecast what might be in the future for media. Discussion and interaction will be encouraged, but the course will not be about blame, anger, grievance, opinions, or entertainment.
NOTE: There is no class on Monday, January 20, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day; there is no class on Monday, February 17, in observance of Presidents Day.