Intro to Mass Media

JOU 110

Syllabus • Spring 2011

Ankeny Campus

Instructor : Andy Langager
Email: andylangager@gmail.com
Cell phone:  319-290-8229
Office: Building 3W, Room 2 (Office inside on the left)
Office Hours: By appointment
Class website:  http://mass-media-class.blogspot.com
This class meets MWF 9:05-10 a.m. • Building 2 Room 13


Course Description:
We have "Freedom of the Press," but have you ever considered what isn't allowed to be printed in the newspaper or broadcast on the radio? Have you thought about how the invention of television impacted the film industry? What about the content of your Facebook profile as a concern when you're applying for a job?
We can't escape the mass media in our daily lives. TV, radio, the Internet, film, music, magazines and books surround us everyday. To be an effective participant in our democratic society, it is essential to be able to think critically about the mass media and understand its history, laws, ethics, and effects.
I want you be engaged with this class: participating in class discussions and reaction papers will challenge your critical thinking, while the tests will demonstrate your understanding of its history, laws, ethics and effects.

Required Text:
Pavlik, John V. and McIntosh, Shawn. Converging Media. Second Ed.

Email: Regular access to email is a strong requirement for this course. Assignments, study guides, and other class info will be sent via email.

Attendance policy:  Attendance is an important part of succeeding in this course. Much of what we do will involve class discussion. I do not take regular attendance, but we will have short quizzes from time to time -- points that you can only earn if you are in class.

Reaction Papers:  We'll have 10 reaction papers assigned throughout the semester. Each will be worth 10 points. You'll have a week to do them once I send them out. Try not to miss any; the points quickly add up to a large part of your grade.

Papers will be about one full page single spaced, based on a short reading assignment or theme. You can email your paper before class on Fridays or hand it on on paper during class.

Research Paper: We will have a five page research paper on the subject of your choice that will be due toward the end of the semester. More info as we get closer.

Tests:  There will be five tests (including the final).  We will have two essay tests and three that are multiple choice, true false, short answer and essay.

Academic dishonesty:  Cheating and plagiarism will be dealt with according to DMACC's official policies.  Always cite your sources, never lift other sentences word for word without using quotes. Attribute any ideas or facts that aren't common knowledge to the original author. If you're not sure, ask for help.

Conferences: Feel free to schedule a conference with me anytime.  Email is a great way to reach me; I check it often.  I may not be on campus when you are (outside of this class), so scheduling a meeting is the best way to get a hold of me.  My office is in Room 2 (The Chronicle room), building 3W in Ankeny.
Grading:
Tests:  5 x 50 points = 250 points total
Reaction papers:  10 papers x 10 points each = 100 points
Research paper: 50 points
Quizzes and participation:  50 points
= 450 total points
Grading scale:
94-100%          A
90-93 A-
87-89           B+
84-86 B
80-83 B-
77-79 C+
74-76 C
70-73 C-
67-69 D+
64-66 D
60-63 D-
59 and lower        F

"A" work: Deadlines met regularly for assignments; student has gone above and beyond to demonstrate he or she understands the concepts of the assignment.  Shows time and effort put into every assignment. Communicates with instructor about missed classes. Overall work is excellent.

"B" work: Deadlines met for nearly every assignment; student has show he or she has a strong understanding of the concepts of the assignments.  The basic requirements of the assignments are fulfilled with good, solid work. Overall work is above average.

"C" work: Most deadlines met, but some missed. Not all assignments fulfilled to specifications.  Student shows some understanding for the concepts at hand, but some of the work could have benefited from more time or effort put into it. Sometimes communicates with instructor about missed classes. Overall work is average.

"D" work:  Deadlines missed regularly.  More than one or two assignments missed.  Student does not fully demonstrate an understanding of the concepts. Rarely communicates with instructor. Not much effort put into work. Overall work is below average.

"F" work:  Deadlines missed regularly.  Assignments left incomplete. Student shows distinct lack of effort towards the class.  No demonstration of learning the concepts at hand. Almost no communication with instructor. Overall work is far below average.

Staying in touch with the media:  Since this class is all about the mass media, I encourage you to stay current, especially with news (whether it be TV, Internet, or radio). Keep in mind anything interesting going on in the media to discuss in class (or email me a link and I'll put it on our class blog!)

Late assignments & Tests
• Reaction papers: will take papers up to 5 days late with no penalty. Papers won't be accepted after 5 days (talk to me if you need an extension on an assignment)
• Tests: You can make up a test for full credit with a note from a doctor (or pre-arrangement with me) otherwise late tests will be marked off 20% (you'll have 7 days to make it up)
• Research paper: 20% off for late papers

Classroom conduct:  It goes without saying to treat fellow classmates (as well as your instructor!) with respect.
Yes, I (and your classmates) can see when you are texting. Please turn cell phones to vibrate and leave the class without disruption if you need to make a call, get a drink, etc.  Please don't read newspapers, work on other assignments, or have side conversations during class time.  Also, please come to class on time.


DMACC websites
Admissions & registration http://www.dmacc.edu/potienti.asp
WebCT http://webct.dmacc.edu/webct/public/home.pl
Student handbook http://www.dmacc.edu/handbook/welcome.asp
Add/drop dates http://www.dmacc.edu/registration/add_drop.asp
Refund policy http://www.dmacc.edu/refund.asp
Library (Building 6 Ankeny) http://www.library.dmacc.edu/

Academic Achievement Center:  Building 6.  MW 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.  / TR 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
For an appointment call 515-633-2472

Support services
"It is the policy of DMACC to accommodate students with disabilities.  Any student with a documented disability who requires reasonable accommodation should contact the special needs coordinator at 515-964-6850 voice or 515-964-6810 TTY."  Also, http://www.dmacc.edu/student_services/disabilities.asp

Important:  For each reading assignment listed, you should have it completed for the day it is listed.
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Monday - January 10
Introduction

Wednesday - January 12
Syllabus

Friday - January 14
Part 1:  The Changing Media Landscape
Chapter 1 MASS COMMUNICATION AND ITS DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
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Monday - January 17 - NO CLASS (MLK Day)

Wednesday - January 19
Chapter 1 continued

Friday - January 21
Chapter 2 MEDIA LITERACY AND THEMES
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Monday - January 24
Chapter 2 continued
(Take-home Essay Test)

Wednesday - January 26
Part 2: Mass-Communication Formats
Chapter 3 DIGITAL MEDIA: ONLINE AND UBIQUITOUS

Friday - January 28
Chapter 3 continued
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Monday - January 31
Chapter 4 PRINT MEDIA: BOOKS, NEWSPAPERS, MAGAZINES

Wednesday - February 2
Chapter 4 continued

Friday - February 4
Chapter 5 AUDIO MEDIA: MUSIC RECORDINGS, RADIO
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Monday - February 7
Chapter 5 continued

Wednesday - February 9
Chapter 6 VISUAL MEDIA: MOVIES AND TELEVISION

Friday - February 11
Chapter 6 continued
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Monday - February 14
Chapter 6 continued

Wednesday - February 16
In-Class Test (Test #2)

Friday - February 18 - NO CLASS (College closed)
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Monday - February 21
Part 3 How Digital Media Are Changing Our World
Chapter 7 INFORMATION OVERLOAD, USABILITY, AND INTERACTIVE MEDIA


Wednesday - February 23
Chapter 7 continued

Friday - February 25
Chapter 8 NETWORKS AND DISTRIBUTING DIGIAL CONTENT
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Monday - February 28
Chapter 8 continued

Wednesday - March 2
Chapter 9 SOCIAL MEDIA AND WEB 2.0

Friday - March 4
Take-home Test (Test #3)
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Monday - March 7 (Semester halfway point)
Part 4: Media Perspectives
Chapter 10 JOURNALISM

Wednesday - March 9
Chapter 10 continued

Friday - March 11
Chapter 10 continued

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March 14-20: SPRING BREAK!
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Monday - March 21
Chapter 11 ENTERTAINMENT
Lecture: Video Games

Wednesday - March 23
Video games, continued

Friday - March 25
Chapter 12 ADVERTISING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
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Monday - March 28
Chapter 12 continued


Wednesday - March 30
Chapter 12 continued

Friday - April 1
Test #4
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Monday - April 4
Part 5: Media and Society
Chapter 13 MEDIA THEORY AND RESEARCH

Wednesday - April 6
Chapter 13 continued

Friday - April 8
Ethics Lecture
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Monday - April 11
Chapter 14 COMMUNICATION LAW AND REGULATION IN THE DIGITAL AGE

Wednesday - April 13
Chapter 14 continued

Friday - April 15
Chapter 14 continued
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Monday - April 18
CHAPTER 15 MASS COMMUNICATION AND POLITICS IN THE DIGITAL AGE

Wednesday - April 20
Chapter 15 continued

Friday - April 22
Lecture: The Global Village
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Monday - April 25
Global Village continued

Wednesday - April 27
Review/make-up day

Friday - April 29
No class
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Final Exam: Wednesday - May 4 (Chapters 13, 14, 15, Ethics & Global Village Lecture)
9:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.


Disclaimer:  "This syllabus is representative of materials that will be covered in this class; it is not a contract between the student and the institution.  It is subject o change without notice.  Any potential exceptions to stated policies and requirements would be addressed on an individual basis, and only for reasons that meet specific requirements.  If you have an problems related to this class, please feel free to discuss them with me."