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Department of Communication Studies

Fall 2009
COMM. 496-Y01

Seminar: Media Studies and Communication Technologies
http://webhost.bridgew.edu/jalobaidi/
http://blackboard.bridgew.edu

In class Meetings: Nov 19, Dec 3, and Dec 10 at 2:00pm Burnell Hall 218

Contact Information

Office Hours

About the Course
This seminar is an intensive writing course in media studies and communication technologies. It requires writing skills and critical thinking abilities to understand and critique the foundations, conceptual frameworks, theories, media studies, and the development of communication technologies. It also intends to discuss the main principles, and introduces practical and professional guidelines to assist students-future practitioners- to come to grips with critical media studies as related to technical issues and communication law and regulations.  This course also offers several approaches to understanding communication technology pertinent to social, cultural, economic, and political issues.

Required Textbook

-August E. Grant and Jennifer H. Meadows, Communication technology Update and Fundamentals, Focal Press:2008.

Note: Please do not hesitate to ask if you would like other suggestions for additional readings on any of the subjects discussed in class.

 

Objectives

This course is designed to motivate you to understand and appreciate the following objectives:
1.Gaining factual knowledge about media  studies and mass communication technologies and legal considerations.

2. Learning fundamental principles, generalizations, theories, and arguments about media critical/cultural studies.

3. Understand the modern structures of media and communication technologies in regional and global settings.

Expected Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course students will be able to:

1. Spot and analyze media issues and their cultural-critical dimensions.

2. Awaken students to question the profession's conventional wisdom and the applications of communication technology.

3. Discuss and propose some practical solutions to change those conventions.

EFFECTIVE POWERPOINT FOR YOUR FINAL PRESENTATION (Nov 19, Dec 3 and Dec 10)

Final Presentations will be posted on blackboard.

“While PowerPoint will not take the place of communication skills, it can be a great tool for enhancing and improving your skills.”

Tips and General Guides for an Effective PowerPoint Presentation

-"5 by 5 RULE: The five by five rule is to limit yourself to five lines of text per slide and no more than 5 words per line.

-FONT: Keep the font sizes of your title lines no greater than 36-point. You may use 60 points for your main titles.

-You might consider using ALL BOLD fonts in presentations.

-When you want to emphasize a point use a different color for the font, italicize the text or underline it.

-Contrast your text and background colors. You may use shadows for improved legibility.

-Don't overuse effects or overcrowd slides.

-Think like someone in your audience. Picture what your audience will be seeing and hearing. Spend more time on content than on design issues.

-Storyboard your presentation. PowerPoint helps you think structurally about your presentation. You know you need an introduction, a body, main points, all supported with arguments, stories and examples and a conclusion with at least two questions to engage your audience in a good discussion.

-Do not use a lot of images and photos. If necessary, use separate slide for each image or photo.

Final Presentation9 Nov 19, Dec 3, and Dec 10)

Each student will have up to do twenty minutes for her in class presentation. You are asked to do a PowerPoint presentation about your final paper. Presentation must cover purpose of the paper, objectives, methodology, theory (brief outlines), findings and conclusion. You are not allowed to read from the paper.

Final Paper: Due date: Dec 10

Specifications: TWENTY pages, typed, doubled spaced, and Aria12 font size. You are required to use at least twenty sources (8 scholarly journals is a must, recent books, newspapers, TV and radio programs, films, interviews, etc. Please No Wikipedia. You will need to have a separate cover sheet for the title, your name, course number, and the date of submission
* Sept 8: You will submit a proposal for your final paper. A form will be available on blackboard. You may select and write about current media studies topics or issues. You are not limited to write about the American media practices or communication technologies. You are strongly encouraged to choose topics that deal with global media and issues in global communication. Topics must be approved by your instructor. Due: Sept 8 at 10:00pm. Post it on your individual folder.

 

*Paper One: SIX PAGES (1-6) of your final paper. It includes: Introduction, Purpose, Methodology, Limitations, Definitions, and Literature Review. It must be submitted  on Wednesday, Sep 30 at 11:00pm. You will post it on your individual folder.

 

*Paper Two: SEVEN PAGES (pp 7-14) It must be submitted on Wednesday, Oct 28 at 11:00pm. It consists of the following sections: Media and Technology Theories to be used in the research, literature review, and part of your discussion. You will post it on your individual folder.

*Final Paper/Paper Three(pp 15-20): This includes papers one and two (pp1-14).  It focuses on the discussion, an in-depth analysis, findings/results, conclusion, and bibliography. You will combine paper one, two and three and submit it in class as a complete paper of twenty 20+. Students will post the complete final of  20+ pages on their individual folder. However, you are required to hand in a hard copy in class on Dec 10.

Note: Table and charts are allowable, but they are not part of the twenty pages. They can be added as appendix.

 

* A complete paper of twenty pages (PP1-20) must be submitted in class on Thursday, April 30.

*Presentations: Each student will have TEN MINUTES to present his/her paper. You are asked to use PowerPoint and you can use film and video clips, photos, sound, and other instructional tools. You must submit a hardcopy of your paper in class, and an additional electronic copy onto blackboard.  Sorry; late paper will not be accepted.
4. Blackboard Discussion Board (Twice a week: No less than 600 words for each time)

Students are required to participate in the discussion board as scheduled. Participation includes two postings that must be posted before Thursday. Offering additional comments and reactions on the Discussion Board is encouraged. Students will gain extra points. There is no repeat or a substitution for any of the assigned presentations.

5. Unscheduled and occasional assignments are expected. The instructor will determine the need.

6. Other Responsibilities
- Since a class is a community, attendance is vital. You will get the most out of this class if you arrive on time, are prepared, and participate. I will take attendance at each class via the sign-up method. A failing grade may be resulted from excessive absences despite the quality of your work. Class will begin promptly at 2:00pm. Therefore, being late to class will adversely affect your final grade. Students must attend all presentations on the days assigned. Failure to attend all presentations may result in a failing grade for the course. There will be no INCOMPLETE GRADE for this course. YOU CANNOT OBTAIN CREDITS FOR THIS COURSE IF YOU FAILED TO COMPLETE ALL SCHEDULED ASSIGNMENTS.
- It is your responsibility to coordinate your schedule with your group to prepare for your assigned presentation. In your presentation, you need to consider using technology (Internet, videos, audio, PowerPoint, and posters). You may prepare handouts too. Reading directly from a chapter won’t be permitted. You will have 20- minute to present your main points. Prepare some questions to be raised in class. This practice will help you with engaging your classmates in a valuable discussion.
3. Students are encouraged to bring in their NOTEBOOKS. However, you are asked to bring in your TEXTBOOKS to class.
-  All assignments must be typed, double spaced, Arial and 12 Font Size. PowerPoint must be submitted via the digital dropbox prior of after presentation.
- Please remember: Your participation will be highly admired by your classmates and your professor.
- Students are encouraged to consider more than one side of an issue.
- To earn three credits for this course (COMM496) student must complete all assignments and other activities decided by the instructor. NO EXCEPTIONS.
- To better serve your educational and learning interests, I reserve the rights to alter the materials and/or make some amendments.
-  Please, do not complain about this class to your classmates, friends, or adviser. This kind of practice will not answer your need. I ask  you to address any concerns of yours directly to me. I will be more than happy to listen to you and work with you to resolve some of these problems or issues. It is my educational role to assist you to succeed in your work. If you have any concerns regarding your grade, please discuss it with me as early as possible.
- As stated above all assignments must be typed and carefully proof-read for grammar, punctuation, and spelling. All papers must be stapled. Before submission, Assignments will be graded down if you do not follow directions and instructions. At times, I may allow for revisions if I think that your ideas are good, but your exposition poor. In these cases, I will help you revise. I also encourage you to enlist the help of the Academic Achievement Center.
- Class time will consist of group presentation and discussion of assigned readings. There will be time in the beginning of each class for seminar participants to share new information on media, books, and other germane to the subject of the seminar.

Note: A grade of C or higher is required for this class and all Communication Studies classes.

Procedures and Grading

 It is essential that you attend class and participate in discussion.

Well, here is the rule for this intellectual challenge - no talks--- no participation and no homework will lead to no grade. Please, get ready to engage in class discussion, speak up, let your classmates and instructor hear your brilliant comments and views. You are encouraged to use your listening and communication skills to get yourself involved and to motivate other to take part in the discussion. Remember that this class is not a monologue and it is not mine alone. It is our seminar and we have to work together to make it beneficial and interesting.

Simply, an (A) will go for a student with a commitment, great level of enthusiasm and participation, using critical thinking process, open to new ideas and views, and showing  excellent writing and analytical abilities. Of course, you may add, that he/she had registered zero absence in this class.

 

Grading System

A — Superior; B — Good; C — Satisfactory; D — Poor; F — Failure.

Schedule of Events

Thank you!