Mass Communication: Living in a Media World

by Ralph E. Hanson

Overview

The best-selling Mass Communication: Living in a Media World presents a highly accessible introduction to mass communication that equips students with the critical thinking skills to become savvy media consumers. To help students better retain the material, author Ralph E. Hanson uses a storytelling approach that weaves in examples drawn from everyday life. Readers are encouraged to consider the media industry from the inside out and, in doing so, discover the many dimensions of mass communication that operate in our society. The thoroughly revised Eighth Edition highlights how social and digital media, video games, and the COVID-19 pandemic are changing the face of media.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781544382999
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	01/20/2021
Edition description:	Eighth Edition
Pages:	488
Product dimensions:	8.38(w) x 10.88(h) x (d)

About the Author

Ralph E. Hanson is a professor in the communication department at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, where he teaches courses in writing, blogging, reporting, and mass communication. Previously, he was on the faculty at West Virginia University and Northern Arizona University. He has been teaching introduction to mass communication for more than twenty-five years, and he has worked extensively on developing online courses and degree programs. Hanson has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and anthropology from Iowa State University, a master’s degree in journalism from Iowa State, and a doctorate in sociology from Arizona State University. He recently completed a book chapter on the long-standing connections between the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday and the NFL’s Super Bowl. When Ralph is not out on his motorcycle riding to places a long way from Nebraska, he is blogging on mass communication issues at http://ralphehanson.com. He tweets as @ralphehanson.

Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Author
PART I. INTRODUCTION TO THE MEDIA
Chapter 1. Living in a Media World: An Introduction to Mass Communication
The Four Levels of Communication
Understanding Our Media World
Models of Mass Communication
Evolution of the Media World
The Seven Secrets About the Media “They” Don’t Want You to Know 2.0
Chapter Review
Chapter Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
Chapter 2. Mass Communication Effects: How Society and Media Interact
The Evolution of Media Effects Research
Effects of Media in Our Lives
Media and Society
Our Interactions With Media
The Critical/Cultural Approach
Chapter Review
Chapter Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
Chapter 3. The Media Business: Consolidation, Globalization, and the Long Tail
The U.S. Media Industry
Big Media: The Legacy Conglomerates
Big Media: The New Players
Media Economics and the Long Tail
Chapter Review
Chapter Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
PART II. LEGACY MEDIA
Chapter 4. Books: The Birth of the Mass Media
Books and Mass Communication
Books and Mass Culture
Books and Censorship
The Future of Books
Chapter Review
Chapter Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
Chapter 5. The News Business: Reflection of a Democratic Society
Inventing the Modern Press
Broadcast News
The News Business
News Media, Identity, and Political Bias
The Future of News
Chapter Review
Chapter Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
Chapter 6. Audio: Music and Talk Across Media
The History of Audio Recording and Transmission
Streaming Audio
Music, Youth Culture, and Society
Music and the Long Tail: The Future of Sound
Chapter Review
Chapter Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
Chapter 7. Movies: Mass Producing Entertainment
The Development of Movies
The Studio System
The Blockbuster Movie Era
Movies and Society
The Long Tail and the Future of Movies
Chapter Review
Chapter Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
Chapter 8. Television and Video: Broadcast and Beyond
Broadcast Television
Cable and Satellite Television
The Changing Business of Television
Television and Society
Redefining Television in the Twenty-First Century
Chapter Review
Chapter Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
PART III. DIGITAL AND GLOBAL MEDIA
Chapter 9. Online and Mobile Media
The Development of the Internet
Tim Berners-Lee: Inventor of the World Wide Web
The Internet and Society: Hacker Ethic
The Internet and Society: Our Online World
Convergence of Old and New Media
Chapter Review
Chapter Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
Chapter 10. Social Media and Video Games: Becoming Part of the Story
Social Media: Sharing Our Lives Online
Development of Video Games
Conflicts Over Video Games
Video Games as Mass Communication
Video Games as a Spectator Sport
Video Games in Contemporary Culture
Chapter Review
Chapter Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
Chapter 11. Global Media: Communication Around the World
Media Ideals Around the World
Media in Canada, Western Europe, and Great Britain
Media in Central and Latin America
Media in Islamic Countries and the Middle East
Media in Africa
Media in Russia and the Former Soviet Republics
Media in Asia
Chapter Review
Chapter Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
PART IV. STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION
Chapter 12. Advertising: Selling a Message
Creation of the Advertising Industry
The Advertising Business
Contemporary Culture in Advertising
The Long Tail and the Future of Advertising
Chapter Review
Chapter Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
Chapter 13. Public Relations: Interactions, Relationships, and the News
The Growth of Public Relations
The Business of Public Relations
The Publics
Public Relations Goes Online
Public Relations and Society
Public Relations and the Civil Rights Movement
Chapter Review
Chapter Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
PART V. REGULATION AND CONTROL OF THE MEDIA
Chapter 14. Media Law: Free Speech and Fairness
The Development of a Free Press
Libel and Protection of Individuals
Invasion of Privacy
Free Press/Fair Trial
Controlling the Press
Copyright and Regulation of the Media Industry
Chapter Review
Chapter Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
Chapter 15. Media Ethics: Truthfulness, Fairness, and Standards of Decency
Ethical Principles and Decision Making
Truthfulness and the News
Mistakes and Consequences in the News
Ethics and Persuasive Communication
Media and Representation
Chapter Review
Chapter Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
Glossary
Notes
Index

Editorial Reviews

Ralph’s updates are real updates, the blog he puts together makes it even more current, the students like it, and it’s perfect for an online course.”

Ginny Whitehouse

…it encourages constant engagement and critical thinking. Not to mention, the examples are extremely current for our students.”

Christina C. Smith

We've been using it in our survey course for years and — stunner! — students love it! Well written and engaging, and the author is very good about Skyping in to chat with the class.”

Brian Steffen

The review questions and quizzes are very valuable to the students and a great help to them.

Richard F. Taflinger

Excellent opening vignettes. Hanson does a good job of providing just the right amount of depth to his historical accounts to make them lively and interesting

Philip A. Thompsen

Students seem to really enjoy the Hanson book. They like the fact that the book looks back and looks ahead – that it ties the history of the media and media professions to the future.

Jeff South