This course provides students with an introduction to the development of selected modern mass media, including the popular press, telegraph, radio, and television, in the United States. It looks first at some explanations of the role of modern media in society and then explores the ways in which each succeeding communication medium has confirmed or confronted the received culture of the United States. The course will conclude with an examination of the impact, both present and future, of the networked computer upon the politics and popular culture of the United States.

After successful completion of this course, students should:

• Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the development of the most significant forms of the modern media, with particular reference to the telegraph, the telephone, radio, TV and the networked computer;
• Have an appreciation of the ways in which economic, social, and cultural factors affected the development of the modern media in the United States;
• Continue to develop strong research, writing and analytical skills
• Be able to critically reflect upon the insights provided by combining knowledge of the various media and the ways in which the development of those media was effected by that of their predecessors,
• Understand and demonstrate the significance of the subject matter for the development of the modern United States.

One 3,000 word essay (50%), tutorial participation (10%), and a final examination (40%).

One ninety minute lecture and one tutorial per week. Lectures will be streamed.

Any first year History courses to the value of twelve units or with permission of the Convener.

Meyrowitz, J, No Sense of Place, Oxford University Press, 1985.
Grossman, L,K, The Electronic Republic, Penguin Books, 1995.

This course can be counted towards a History, Gender, Sexuality and Culture or American Studies major.