LABETTE COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYLLABUS
SPRING SEMESTER, 2008
COURSE NUMBER: 0620
COURSE TITLE: INTRODUCTION TO MASS MEDIA
SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS: 3 Credit Hours
DEPARTMENT: Communication
DIVISION: Instructional Division
INSTRUCTOR: Thomas A. Duran
Office Hours: M-F – 8:30am – 9am – M-F – 1pm-2:30pm
Office Phone: 620-820-1171
E-mail: tomd@labette.edu
PREREQUISITE: None
TEXT AND SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS USED IN THE COURSE:
Vivian, J. (2003). The Media of Mass Communication, 8th ed. Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon. ISBN 9780205493708
Readings may be assigned from the following available in the library:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is an introduction to different forms of mass media – newspaper, magazines, books, radio, recordings, television, motion pictures and others. It is designed to give students an understanding of the media’s role in society today. The course will explore the histories of the different forms of media, the evolution of the media’s role in society, problems with media today, possible solutions to those problems, current media practices, mass media theory, ethics, and the media and social problems. Students will be asked to keep abreast of the media and current events through reading newspapers, watching television, listening to the radio, surfing the web, and more.
Students who successfully complete this class will be able to:
Understand the role of media in society, its historical significance, and basic media technology and issues.
· Develop a general understanding of newspaper, magazine, books, radio, television, and electronic media and their roles in society.
· Gain an understanding of industries such as advertising and public relations that support the media and the role that they play.
· Know several terms that refer to specific areas of each type of media.
· Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of important historical media events and how they have influenced the direction that various media have evolved into today.
· Understand the basic difference between analog and digital signals.
· Discuss the strengths and weaknesses associated with media technology.
· Understand the future evolution regarding electronic media.
Differentiate among social, ethical, and legal problems in the media.
· Develop the ability to differentiate among social, ethical, and legal problems in the media.
· Gain the ability to understand the basic dynamics of libel laws.
· Give examples and debate ethical and social problems in the media.
COURSE OUTLINE:
The course is divided into 3 major units.
1. First 6 Weeks: Chapters 15, 21, 3, - Covers mass communication, ethics, newspapers; three concept or issues; three quizzes covering chapters 15, 21, 4; research assignments on chapters 15, 4; media ethics assignment
2. Second 6 Weeks: Chapters 7, 8, and 9 – Covers radio, television, and the Web; three concept or issues; three quizzes covering chapters 7, 8, and 9; research assignments on chapters 7, 8
3. Third 6 Weeks: Chapters 11, 12, and 20 – Covers public relations, advertising, and mass media law; ; three concept or issues; three quizzes covering chapters 11, 12, and 20; research assignment on chapter 20
Tests and Quizzes: There will be a final exam and there will be quizzes over the assigned chapters in the text, over notes from class lectures, and class discussions.
Methods of INSTRUCTION:
This course is taught using a variety of instructional methods that include but are not limited to lecture, computer presentations, overhead projector, handouts, field trips, and possibly guest speakers.
Assignments:
Readings from the text, written assignments, quizzes, test, research assignments.
Readings: Read the assigned chapters from the text when assigned and take notes on them. All handouts are to be read, studied and kept.
Written Assignments: All written assignments are to be handed in on the date they are due. Assignments not handed in on the due date will receive a zero for that assignment. I will not accept any late assignments. Assignments that are to be handed in to the instructor should be done neatly, with 12 pitch and Times New Roman font.
Tests and Quizzes: There will be a final exam and there will be quizzes over the assigned chapters in the text, over notes from class lectures, and class discussions.
Assignments are due at the beginning of the class period. Late papers will be docked according to Late Work policy.
LATE WORK - I have developed a system that deals with any crises or delays you may encounter. The following penalty will be assessed for work submitted after each deadline.
Up to one week after the
deadline - 10% penalty
Up to two weeks after the deadline-20% penalty
Up to three weeks after the deadline-30% penalty
Up to four weeks after the deadline - 40% penalty
Five + weeks after the deadline - 50% penalty
For example: Let's say that during the third week of class, your child, your computer, and the coworker you have to cover for all come down with a virus!
You just cannot get to that 3rd lesson but you finish it and submit it the next week. Assuming that you do the same complete and thorough job that you always do, you would earn 90% of the points possible for the task, quiz, or written assignment you submitted late. The penalties will be assessed after the work is graded. This system will allow you to set your priorities and determine your own grade possibilities. Obviously, an occasional late submission will not "sink the boat", however chronic lateness will definitely affect your grade.
The grading scale will be as follows:
90 - 100% = A - Student does an outstanding assignment or paper. Excellent content, well organized, excellent wording, and/or superior accomplishment on the criteria established for that assignment or paper.
80 - 89% = B - Assignment or paper approaching the qualities of an “A” assignment. A good assignment, not necessarily any major weaknesses, but not achieving a standard of excellence in any or enough areas to merit an “A”. A good job in meeting most established criteria for that assignment or paper.
70 - 79% = C - An acceptable assignment or paper. Reasonably clear purpose, adequate support, apparent organization, but may not be entirely clear; and/or some deficiencies in meeting many of the major criteria established for the assignment or paper.
60 - 69% = D - An unclear purpose and serious deficiencies in some and perhaps all areas of content, organization.
59% & below = F - The person does not submit the assignment at all or simply demonstrates that there has been no preparation for the assignment in content, goal attainment, or organization.
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS
5 - Research Assignments 25 points each
9 – Concept or Issue 10 points each
1 – Media ethics 15 points
9 - Quizzes 10 points each
1 Final Exam 40 points
Class Participation 10 points
Total Points Possible 370 points
Course Grade:
Your final grade is determined by the average of all your grades from papers, class activities, tests, and projects that may be assigned.
Attendance Requirements:
Students are expected to attend all classes. If the student has to miss a class especially on the day he/she is scheduled to hand in a written assignment or take a test; he/she must notify me before the missed class. In case of emergencies, notify by e-mail, telephone or leave a message for me with the college operator, or send a note with a fellow student. Failure to do so means the student will receive a zero for that assignment or test and will loose the option of makeup work. If a legitimate conflict did arise and the student did notify me, the student has one week to finish the assignment or take the test. If a student misses a class, he/she is still responsible for the material covered and for assignments made during that time. The students need to ask for notes from myself or a fellow student for the class missed.
The student is allowed three hours of absences without explanation except on the day(s) assigned for single or group presentations or for tests. Unexcused absence over the allowed absences will result in the lose of ten points from their overall letter grade. The instructor reserves the right to drop a student for excessive (7 or more unexcused) absences. By and large, it is simply a good idea not to miss class. All students will receive a grade for the course after the last day to withdraw for the semester regardless of the number of absences.
Since this is a communication class, I expect students to practice good communication skills and thus disruptive talking during class will not be tolerated.
ACADEMIC HONESTY REQUIREMENTS: (Procedure 3.07)
Academic Honesty Policy:
Labette Community College expects students to adhere to a strict code of academic honesty. Students should learn in an environment of integrity, free from the intrusion of any kind of dishonest conduct.
When an academic exercise is designed to result in a grade, any of the following activities constitute violations of academic honesty (unless expressly authorized in advance by the instructor) and will be subject to disciplinary action:
A. Cheating on an examination or the preparation of academic work. Any student
who engages in any of the following shall be deemed to have engaged in cheating:
B. Plagiarizing or appropriating another work or idea without properly
acknowledging incorporation of that work or idea into one’s own work offered for credit.
C. Any forgery, alteration or misuse of academic documents, forms or records.
D. Fabrication includes the intentional falsification or invention of any information.
E. Collusion includes any secret agreement among students who participate in any
academically dishonest activity.
F. Students in online courses agree not to give their passwords, login information, or access to an online course to anyone. Any student who does so will be considered guilty of academic dishonesty and subject to the penalties described for such offenses.
Penalties for Academic Misconduct
In addition to the penalties specified in this code, being found guilty of academic misconduct will result in a minimum of a zero grade for the paper, assignment or test on which the violation occurred. Instructors may choose a more stringent course of action.
Labette Community College seeks to promote a teaching and learning environment free from classroom disruptions.
The following standards are intended to define acceptable classroom behavior with regard to cell phones that preserve academic integrity and ensure that students have optimum environmental conditions for effective learning.
As a member of the learning community, each student has a responsibility to other students who are members of the community. When cell phones or pagers ring and students respond in class or leave class to respond, it disrupts the class. Therefore, the Office of Dean of Instruction prohibits the use by students of cell phones, pagers, or similar communication devices during scheduled classes. All such devices must be turned off or put in a silent mode and cannot be visible during class. At the discretion of the instructor, exception to this policy is possible in special circumstances. Cell phones may not be dialed or answered in a classroom (including text messages, games, and other uses).
In testing situations, use of cell phones or similar communication devices may lead also to a charge of academic dishonesty and additional sanctions under the Academic Regulations in the Student Handbook.
Children are not allowed to accompany LCC students to classes. In the event of an emergency, requests for an exception to this rule must be made by the student to the appropriate Dean or Program Director prior to the class meeting. In the event that an exception is granted, it is the student’s responsibility to make sure the child(ren) do not disrupt the educational environment of the class. Adult guests may be admitted at the discretion of the instructor.
Furthermore, children (age twelve and under) are not allowed to be left unsupervised by an adult anywhere on campus. This procedure applies to all facilities owned or managed by Labette Community College.
Students with Disabilities:
Students who need special assistance should contact Megan Hentzen, ADA Coordinator, by calling (620) 421-6700, ext.1230, or visit her in person in the Business Office on the main campus.
Weather Cancellations:
When snow, ice, or other bad weather threatens the normal class schedule, students should listen to local radio stations, especially KLKC and KKOW, and local television stations, especially KOAM, regarding changes in the schedule. If the radio or television does not state that LCC classes have been canceled, students should assume that classes will be held on the normal schedule.
In the event of cancellations, students should hear one of the following announcements:
Day classes are canceled. Evening and extension classes beginning at 5:30 or later will meet on the normal schedule.
Classes are canceled for day, evening, and extension.
Evening and extension classes are canceled.
Announcements regarding day classes will be made after 6:15 a.m. and evening and evening extension classes after 3:15 p.m. Extension classes will not be held if the facility in which they are meeting is closed that day.