CC 220-W1
- INTRODUCTION TO MASS COMMUNICATION
TUESDAY/THURSDAY
9:25-10:40 LIBRARY L213
This survey course introduces students to the
fundamentals of mass media and mass communication study. With an emphasis on history, culture, and
critical media literacy, it investigates the relationship between popular
culture and mass communication, covers the evolution of US media channels
(newspapers, TV, radio, etc.), and looks at related communication concerns
(public relations, advertising, etc.).
A major class goal is to move the student from a subjective/consumer
relationship with the media toward an objective/critical relationship. Key techniques that work toward this goal
include use of critical-thinking skills, an introduction to professional
journals, and a final paper that analyzes and synthesizes external knowledge.
Wilson,
James R. and S. Roy Wilson. Mass
Media, Mass Culture: An Introduction, 5th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2001.
·
Blackboard: plato.bridgew.edu/
·
Book: www.mhhe.com/socscience/comm/wilson5/student_index.mhtml
|Philosophy This
section of CC 220 is an 80/20 web-based course. This means about 80% of the
instruction will occur online and about 20% will occur in the scheduled room
(the list of physical meetings is below).
The
great benefit of this course is that it allows you the flexibility to do most
course work at a time that fits your schedule.
I have taught successful online courses before and am prepared to help
you succeed in the online environment.
However, this course is not recommended for students on academic
probation, students with limited command of English, or students who have
difficulty working independently.
The first two physical class sessions will be devoted to
learning the technology used in class, understanding course expectations, and
meeting other class participants. The online group discussions that constitute
the bulk of the semester will be meaningful only if we have some face-to-face
connections on which to build.
|Attendance
Attendance at all physical class sessions is
essential. If you know you cannot make
a session, you should drop the class: More than one absence will drop your
final grade. Your online “attendance”
is covered in your participation grade.
If you miss an exam without prior authorization, you will
receive a 0 for that exam. For an
authorized absence, I may substitute an essay or research paper.
|Assistance If you require additional or
alternate assistance, please inform me as soon as possible so we can make arrangements
to aid your learning.
|Academic Integrity
Acts of academic dishonesty include but are not limited to: cheating on
exams; plagiarism (using someone else’s work and passing it off as one’s own);
presenting work from another course; purchasing exams or term papers; and
submitting work completed by another person.
It is not wrong to consult other works, but you need to
document your sources. This means using
proper citation if you use someone else’s ideas, and proper citation and
quotation marks if you use someone else’s exact words. When in doubt, cite.
This
course has a zero-tolerance policy for cheating and plagiarism: Cheat and you
get a zero. A documented instance of
cheating will result in a zero (0) for the assignment and notification of the
Vice President of Academic Affairs as outlined in the Academic Integrity
section of the College Catalog (pp. 48-9). This could result in expulsion.
|Technology
To succeed in this course, students need:
·
Dependable access to an Internet-connected computer with
web browser and word-processing program
·
Reliable e-mail that is read on a regular basis
·
Basic computer literacy or willingness to learn
Students must attend a Blackboard QuickStart session during
the first week of classes. You are
responsible for knowing the Blackboard features.
If you do not have a BlackBoard account, follow the
“Account Registration” from the BSC home page.
After you have an account, enroll for CC 220-W1 (not 01). It is your responsibility to ensure that you
have Blackboard access.
|Papers Specific writing instructions will accompany each
assignment. For late papers, I drop one
grade for each 24-hour period after the end of class. I will not accept papers after 48 hours.
| Evaluation
You must complete all assignments to pass the
course.
I
adhere to the school’s grading system:
A
— Superior; B — Good; C — Satisfactory; D — Poor; F — Failure.
|
Percentage
of final grade / Assignment 5% – first paper 10% –
second paper 15% – final paper 6% - Internet
exercise (6) 10% – first exam 15% –
second exam 15% –
third exam 24% –
participation/discussion 100% total |
Grade Scale
|
You must attend these sessions. If you cannot attend, you should drop the class.
R Sep 5 Orientation
T Sep 10 Orientation
T Oct 1 First
Exam
T Nov 5 Second
Exam
T Dec 10 Third
Exam
This schedule indicates each week by the Monday date.
Within each week, work must be done as follows:
·
Reading (book and lecture): before Monday
·
Internet Exercise: before midnight Monday
·
Writing Assignments: Wednesday by midnight
·
Discussion: Can begin at any time; students must contribute
during the week indicated. The professor will be involved during the week and
will review all postings as of the Friday. Students should visit the following
week to view professor's final comments, but should not make any comments after
the Friday at midnight.
Sep 5 Introduction
Sep 9 Basic
Concepts Chapter 1
Culture Chapter 2
Sep 16 Globalization Chapter 3 Internet #1
Legal
Controls Chapter 4
Sep 23 News
Media Chapter 5 FIRST PAPER
Sep 30 Advertising Chapter 13 FIRST EXAM
Oct 7 Public
Relations Chapter 14 Internet #2
Oct 14 Books Chapter 6 Internet #3
Oct 21 Newspapers Chapter 7 SECOND PAPER
Oct 28 Magazines Chapter 8 Internet #4
Nov 4 Radio Chapter 10 SECOND EXAM
Nov 11 Recorded Music Chapter 11 Internet
#5
Nov 18 Motion
Pictures Chapter 9 Internet #6
Nov 25 Thanksgiving
Dec 2 Television Chapter 12 THIRD PAPER
Dec 9 THIRD
EXAM