COMM 202: Media and Society

Media and Society examines the technical, political, economic, cultural, and organizational influences shaping today's mediated messages.

What COMM 202 covers

(Fulfills the general education requirement in communications but is not a writing course.) Prerequisite: WRTG 112. An overview of the complex components and relationships involved in today's media.

The goal is to understand the technical, political, economic, cultural, and organizational influences on mediated messages. Topics include visual rhetoric, legal and ethical issues, social media, the transactional model, advertising, security, and privacy concerns.

Typical COMM 202 assignments

Expect an assignment requiring you to analyze a specific media example, identifying which technical, political, economic, cultural, or organizational influence shaped its message.

Key topics in COMM 202

• Influences on mediated messages
• Visual rhetoric
• Social media and the transactional model
• Legal, ethical, security, and privacy concerns

Writing tips for COMM 202

Follow the assignment instructions and rubric line by line

UMGC assignments for COMM 202 are graded against a specific rubric or grading criteria your instructor provides — every requirement has to be visibly addressed. Skipping a requirement because it seems minor is one of the most common reasons a strong submission loses points.

Apply a named communication theory or framework, not a general observation

COMM 202 expects you to name and apply a specific communication theory or framework to your example — a general observation about media or communication that doesn't tie back to the course's own vocabulary usually loses points.

Ground claims in specific, current examples, not general media impressions

UMGC's Communication Studies courses consistently grade whether claims are grounded in specific, current, and cited examples — a real news story, campaign, or platform feature — rather than broad generalizations about "the media."

Why students seek help with COMM 202

Students sometimes describe a media message without identifying the specific type of influence (political, economic, cultural, etc.) COMM 202 requires naming — the rubric typically wants that influence type explicitly identified, not a general media critique.

How GradeEssays helps with COMM 202

Share your COMM 202 assignment and rubric, and your writer will help you identify and apply the specific influence type your media example demonstrates.

Prerequisites and course context

COMM 202 requires WRTG 112 (Academic Writing II), and fulfills the general education requirement in communications, though it is explicitly noted as not a writing course.

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