SOC 330 Lecture 1: Introduction to Media/Society

• School: Stony Brook University
• Department: Sociology
• Course: SOC 330
• Professor: Jason Jones

Document Summary

Note: term paper topic due before spring break. Medium - from the latin medius, meaning middle . The intervening substance through which a force acts on objects at a distance. Examples: internet, television, newspapers, poster, book, play, painting. Media are necessary, because telepathy does not exist. Media intended to reach a large, anonymous audience. Examples: television, newspapers, magazines, radio, books, most websites. Writing a letter to a friend is not mass media. The community of people living in a particular country or region and having shared customs, laws, and organizations. Societies have shared expectations concerning roles, norms, values, and ideologies. Media reflect and shape differences between societies. Mass media are pervasive in contemporary society. Radios in 99% and tvs in 96% of us homes. Average american adult spends more than 5 hours a day watching television. Broadband internet access at home, 2013 - 65% Young people"s media use is even more extensive.