2010 Spring PUBPOL 268-01
Bulletin Course Description Use of economics to examine the production and consumption of information in communications markets and impact of media on society. Topics include regulation of television/radio/newspapers, intellectual property and Internet, content diversity, and news markets. Instructor: Hamilton
(Instructor named in bulletin description above may not be current. For current instructor, see listing below.)
Title MEDIA POLICY AND ECONOMICS Department PUBPOL Course Number 2010 Spring 268 Section Number 01 Primary Instructor Hamilton,James T Prerequisites
Synopsis of course content
This course uses economics to examine the production and consumption of information in communications markets and the impact of the media on society. The course reviews concepts that play a large role in information markets, including public goods, economies of scale, network effects, product differentiation, and externalities. Broad themes covered include the ways that markets transform information into news, the operation of the marketplace of ideas, the impact of technology on communication, the economics of the Internet, and media impacts on elections and governing. Specific policy issues discussed will include universal service, the digital divide, intellectual property rights on the Internet, spectrum allocation, television violence, content diversity, and media ownership rules.
Textbooks
Channeling Violence and All the News That’s Fit to Sell.
Assignments
Grading will be based 30% on class participation, 20% on a 5 page paper due mid-semester, and 50% on a 15 page paper due at the end of the semester.
Exams
None
