Generic Web Syllabus:
Communication
101:
Introduction
to Mass Media
Catalog
Description: An introductory survey of Media
Communication. Media will
be studied historically as both a
cultural and industrial phenomenon. Beginning
discussion of
media theory will compare the methods, techniques and effects of
different media; the influence of mass communications on society
will be
considered; strategies for understanding and coping with
modern communications
will be discussed. The course will use
lectures, presentations, reports and
papers.
Goal:
The student is introduced to mass media as a historical,
cultural and
industrial phenomenon. Print media and media that
provide moving picture and audio
content are surveyed.
Advertising and public relations are both explored. The
construction of worldwide media services is discussed and the
influence of mass
communication on society is considered. The|
student is expected to participate
in classroom discussion,
complete and turn in a portfolio of all their work,
write a term
paper and do a series of ten assignments and
presentations that
examine basic forms of media and journalism
communication.
Class
Room: 201 PE
Texts:
Books can be purchased
in the MCCC Bookstore.
Cookbooks are distributed in class.
1) Communication
Cookbook; John Gallagher;
Ver 3.2;
Looseleaf bound. Copies
distributed in class.
2) Media/Impact: An Introduction to Mass Media,
5th
Edition, Shirley Biagi, Wadsworth Pub. Company.
3) Readings in Mass Communication: Media Literacy
and
Culture, Kimberly B. Massey, Mayfield Pub. 1999.
4) The Mayfield Quick Guide to
the Internet.
General
Items: This class is a “learn by discussion” portfolio
class.
The good news is that there are no scheduled tests or quizzes.
You
are required to come, participate, take notes, make
presentations, keep up with
your assignments and present a
portfolio of your work with a grade application
form to the
instructor for evaluation and grading one week prior to the last
officially scheduled class. Failure to do so is just that: Failure.
with students individually, all grades are
final and will not be
changed unless there was a mechanical error in recording.
A = 90 and above
(Exceptional)
B = 80 to 89.4
(Obtained
substantially all of the standards)
C = 70 to 79.4
(Meeting minimal acceptable standard)
D = 60 to 69.4 (Below minimal acceptable standards)
F = below 60
(Failure to meet acceptable standards)
I expect all reports and essays to be typed, grammatically
correct, spell checked, and written in a clear and concise
fashion.
I expect all research to be complete and cited.
I expect
an honest and full attempt by the student to do their best.
Plagiarism, (direct, uncredited copying of the work of others,) is
unacceptable.
Turning in the work of others as your own will
result in a grade of zero. At
times, individuals and groups may be
given the opportunity to resubmit material.
This opportunity is
given at the discretion of the professor, when the
professor
believes that substantial outside occurrences interfered with the
student or group’s ability to obtain their best effort. This
opportunity is
always time limited and may not necessarily result in
a grade change.
Portfolio
and Grade application are due week prior to final
class.
Exit
Interview/Final: All
students are required to schedule and
appear for exit interviews during the day
of the Communication
program screening.
Special
Considerations/Changes: Discussed
in class or by
appointment as need arises.
extremely compelling story, two) absence(s) maybe accepted
without impact on your grade.
Any absence above this will result
in a lowering of your grade.
2.
Participation in class discussion is required.
(15%) Upon
signing into class please note the topic, presentation, question or
concern that
you will discuss on the sign in sheet.
prepare for class by reading the chapters of the book
required for
each class and finding three topics of discussion by:
1.
Asking
a question about something that you have read.
2.
Bringing
in an outside source (quote) that relates to something
that you have read.
3.
Bringing in a observation
about something that you have
read.
4. Notes that you have taken from the book
will be periodically
turned in to the
instructor of review and comment. They are a
required part of
your portfolio.
4.
If
you are a communication major you are required to be
enrolled in a one credit
Applied Media studio/lab: Com 180
or 181.
5.
A term paper on a topic approved by the instructor is
required. (15%) The term paper must be typewritten and be
concerned with a
mass communication topic. The term paper
must explore the chosen topic in depth.
It must cite at least seven
outside sources at be at least seven pages
long. The term paper is
due April 23rd.
6.At
least ten presentations/assignments must be made
during class. (3% each for 30%) These
presentations are
described in the cookbook and will be assigned. You must do a
biography, a survey, an interview, a precise, a sidebar, and present
a media
example. In addition you are required to complete the first
two media awareness
assignments and take three proficiency test
on Tilt. Although specific topics are usually determined by the
student, they must relate to the discussion area for the week. At
times, topics
may require pre-approval from the instructor.
All
presentations require support from outside sources.
All
presentations must be animated with visual and audio material.
Internet sources are acceptable only when they include the site
name, date, and
owner. Encyclopedias and popular magazines
should not be used as sources except
when they are being
discussed as a mass media. (These type of sources may be
used
by the student as a starting point if necessary to develop and idea
or
topic.) Materials and notes used for the presentations should be
handed in at
the time of the presentation and put in your portfolio.
Assistance from the
instructor my be required and consultations
with the instructor are expected and
welcome. Although all
presentations
are oral and visual, when written materials are
developed for the presentation,
they should be typewritten, every
page should have your name and section written
on it and they
should be turned in to the instructor upon completion of the
presentation. Failure to follow these general rules will result in
having to
repeat the presentation on a second topic area.
7.
A small group project (called a “719”) is required. (20%)
This project is described in the cookbook and will
be discussed in
class.
8.
A Portfolio is required. This is a notebook that contains all of
your
projects, notes and research in a fashion that is organized
and presentable. The
portfolio should include a table of contents,
and a grade application.
9.
A Grade Application is required and
should be included
with the Portfolio.
This is an essay that you write. You use it to
tell me about all of your
activities. This essay is no longer than two
pages in length. It specifies what
you have learned (been excited
about) and why you believe that you should get a
specific grade.
will
pass out a schedule/sign-up sheet for exit interviews on the
date and time of
the scheduled final exam.
11.
Study Groups: On the first day, we will divide into small
groups of 3-6
persons. These groups will be your
study group.
The expectation of
are:
1. Names, addresses, email and
phone numbers will be shared.
A list will be given to each study group member
and the
professor.
2. Your study group is expected
to meet at once a week outside
of class for about an hour.
Establish a schedule and meeting
place and time. This will greatly
facilitate your preparation for
class. This time and place is to be shared with
each member
of the study group and the professor. You are expected to
have completed your readings and homework prior to
class.
3. Although each person is
expected to take their own notes,
notes (on assignments and classes) can be
shared.
4. Work with your study group members to insure that you are
up to date
and ready for each weeks discussion. Prepare
questions and discussion points
about issues with which you
need. Bring those questions to class. Identify media
that is of
interest to you. Bring in observations, videos, films, articles
or
graphics related to our topic to discuss with the class.
5. Study group members are expected
to help with (but no do)
other
member's assignments.
6. Study groups can change during the
semester. The professor
must be
notified of any changes.
Class
dates and Assignments:
Introduction
to the Mass Media: Why Should We Care?:
Week One
Topic: What is Mass Media?
Reading: Biagi: Chapter 1: You in the Information Age
Reading: Study Group: Chapter 1: Mass Communication,
Culture
and Mass Media
Week Two Topic: Effects of Mass Media.
Reading
Biagi: Chapter 12: Mass Media and Social
Issues
Reading Study Group:
Chapter 2: Media Literacy and
Culture
Class Presentations.
The Print Media:
Week Three
Topic: Newspapers and
Magazines.
Reading: Biagi: Chapters 2 and 3
Reading: Study
Group: Chapter 4 and 5
Week Four
Topic:
Books.
Reading: Biagi:
Chapter 4
Reading: Study Group:
Chapter 3
The Creation of Sound
and Visual Stories.
Week Five
Topic: Radio.
Reading: Biagi: Chapters 5 and 6
Reading: Study Group: Chapter 7
Week Six
Topic: Film.
Reading: Biagi: Chapter 8
Reading:
Study Group Chapter 6
Week Seven
Topic: Television.
Reading: Biagi: Chapter 7
Reading: Study Group: Chapter 8
Our Commercial Age:
Week Eight
Topic: Advertising.
Reading:
Biagi: Chapter 10
Reading: Study Group:
Chapter 10
Week Nine
Topic:
Public Relations
Reading: Biagi: Chapter 11
Reading:
Study Group: Chapter 9
The Future is Now.
Week Ten
Topic: The New Media.
Reading: Biagi: Chapter 9
Reading:
Study Group: Chapter 14
And What About the Rest of the World?
Week Eleven
Topic: Media Around the World.
Reading:
Biagi: Chapter 16
Reading: Study Group Chapter 15
Uniquely American.
Week Twelve Topic: Freedom of Speech and the Press.
Reading: Biagi: Chapter 13 & 14
Reading: Study Group: Chapter 13
Gaining New Insight.
Week Thirteen
Topic: Communication Research and Effects
Reading: Biagi
Reading:
Study Group: Chapter 12
Week Fourteen
Topic:
Communication Theory
Reading: Biagi
Reading
Study Group Chapter 11