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Exploring Mass Communication
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Exploring Mass Communication
Connecting with the World of Media

First Edition
Available with:
Learning platform
January 2024 | 384 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
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Vincent F. Filak named next editor for Journalism and Mass Communication Educator

Exploring Mass Communication examines the many paths that led to our digital media world and how digital media both connects and disconnects us. While providing the need-to-know concepts, history, and theories, Vincent F. Filak urges students to critically think about how media affects them, and how they can best engage with media to improve their everyday lives. Through Filak's conversational and personable style, the text interweaves inclusivity and diversity throughout, presenting a modern and fresh approach that today’s students will connect with.

This text is offered in Sage Vantage, an intuitive learning platform that integrates quality Sage textbook content with assignable multimedia activities and auto-graded assessments to drive student engagement and ensure accountability. Unparalleled in its ease of use and built for dynamic teaching and learning, Vantage offers customizable LMS integration and best-in-class support.

Watch this video walkthrough and see how Vantage works:


                              



 
Part I: Understanding Today's Media World
 
Chapter 1: Media Basics: Models and Theories
What Is Media?

 
How Do We Use Media to Interact?

 
What Does Media Do to Us?

 
From Media Consumer to Media Creator

 
 
Chapter 2: Media Audiences and Uses
From Age to Interests: A Brief Look at How to Define an Audience

 
Media Literacy

 
Why Do We Consume Media?

 
Is Media Use Risky?

 
The Era of “Demassification”

 
 
Chapter 3: Media Systems and Corporate Ownership
A Basic Overview of Global Media Systems

 
A Brief History of Media Ownership and Control

 
Digital Media Disruptors

 
Impact of Ownership Consolidation

 
 
Part II: Traditional Media
 
Chapter 4: Books: The Original Mass Medium
From Stone Tablets to Digital Tablets: A Brief History of Text

 
Role of Books

 
The Process of Developing, Writing, Publishing, and Selling Books

 
Censorship and the Movement to Ban Books

 
Jobs in Publishing

 
 
Chapter 5: Print Journalism: Newspapers and Magazines
A Brief History of News Publications

 
Role of Newspapers and Magazines

 
Is Print Dead or Is It Evolving?

 
Careers in Print Journalism

 
 
Chapter 6: Radio and Other Audio Formats
A Brief History of Audio Media

 
Television Competition and the Shift to the Niches

 
Rules and Regulations

 
The Role of Radio in Society

 
Jobs in Audio Media

 
 
Chapter 7: Movies
A Brief History of Movies

 
The Role of Movies

 
How Movies Are Made

 
Viewer Discretion Advised: Ratings and Social Acceptability

 
Jobs in Movies and Film Production

 
 
Chapter 8: Television
A Brief History of Television

 
The Many Benefits of Entertainment Television

 
The Role of Broadcast Journalism

 
How TV Has Adapted to Technological Advances

 
Is Television a “Vast Wasteland”?

 
Jobs in Television

 
 
Part III: Digital Media
 
Chapter 9: The All-Consuming Internet
From Military Tool to Daily Necessity: A Brief History of the Internet

 
Role of the Internet

 
Media Monopoly 2.0

 
The Dark Corners and Negative Consequences of the Internet

 
Jobs Working with Online Media

 
 
Chapter 10: Social Media
From Six Degrees to TikTok: A Brief History of Social Media

 
Defining and Differentiating Social Media

 
Examining Social Media Approaches

 
The Value of Social Media

 
Uses and Gratifications of Social Media

 
Jobs Related to Social Media

 
 
Chapter 11: Videogames and Gaming as Media
A Brief History of Video Games: From Cathode Rays to Fortnite

 
Game Typology and Genres

 
Gaming Crossovers

 
Role of Video Games

 
Understanding Flow and the Value of Video Games

 
Jobs Related to Video Games

 
 
Part IV: Strategic Media
 
Chapter 12: Public Relations and Persuasion
A Brief History of Public Relations

 
Defining and Explaining Public Relations

 
Using Persuasion in Public Relations

 
Key Elements of Successful PR

 
Communication Tools for Public Relations

 
Jobs in PR

 
 
Chapter 13: Advertising and Marketing
A Brief History of Advertising

 
Defining and Explaining Advertising

 
Exploring Advertising Options

 
Advertising and Society

 
Jobs in Advertising

 
 
Part V: Rules and Values
 
Chapter 14: Media and the Law
Free Speech, Free Press, and the First Amendment

 
Beyond the First Amendment: Regulators and Regulations

 
Defamation, Libel, and Slander

 
Invasion of Privacy

 
That’s Mine! Copyright Law and Protections

 
Jobs in Media Law

 
 
Chapter 15: Ethics: What We Value
What Are Ethics and Why Do They Matter?

 
Some Basic Ethical Models

 
The Basic Elements of Media Ethics

 
Working through Ethical Dilemmas

 
Determining Your Own Approach to Ethics

 
Jobs in Media Ethics

 
 
Glossary
 
Notes
 
Index

I really appreciate the clear and well-written text as well as the baked-in media literacy approach. This book really is almost everything I've been looking for.

One element that I feel could be expanded upon is more fleshing out of the various models/theories of mass media effects.

Professor Gabe Otteson
Communications, University of North Texas Dallas
November 5, 2024
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Key features
  • This text is available in Sage Vantage, an intuitive learning platform that integrates quality Sage textbook content with assignable multimedia activities and auto-graded assessments to drive student engagement and ensure accountability. Unparalleled in its ease of use and built for dynamic teaching and learning, Vantage offers customizable LMS integration and best-in-class support.
    • Flashcards and note-taking tools help students better prepare for class.
    • NEW! Audiobook Player allows students to listen to text content, boosting comprehension and retention. It offers flexible, on-the-go access, engaging both reluctant readers and auditory learners, improving the overall reading experience.
    • The Offline Reading option in the Student Dashboard offers greater accessibility to Vantage’s reading content, regardless of where students are or how strong their internet connection may be.
  • An emphasis on diversity and inclusion interweaved throughout, with examples that today's students will connect with.
  • Chapter opening questions ask students to draw on their own experience and knowledge before diving into the historical and practical ideas that will be explored in the chapter.
  • Key Names showcases important people, their contributions and achievements, including familiar names along with other valuable figures who are not as well known, acknowledging the people who have contributed to the field.
  • A Deeper Look delves into topics where additional depth and context can be expounded upon and provide useful insight.
  • Media Literacy Moment urges students to become savvier media consumers by thinking critically about how today's digital age affects them and how they can best engage with media and feel more self-assured in their interactions with it.
  • The Job Availability feature in each practical chapter highlights a list of potential jobs in the field, along with descriptions of what they would do as part of their daily work life.
Vantage Reference: 
Exploring Mass Communication - Vantage Learning Platform

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