COM 2230 Introduction to Mass Media
Spring 2012 Rhubarb Jones
SYLLABUS
Logistical Information
Instructor-Warren (Rhubarb) Jones Lecture: Tuesday and Thursday
8:00 a.m.-9:15 a.m. Classroom 2025-Social Sciences Building
Office: Town Point Building-Room 4650 Office Hours-By appointment
Phone: (770) 499-3658 Fax: (770) 423-6532
E-mail: rhubarb@kennesaw.edu
MISSION
The department of communication at Kennesaw State University prepares its graduates to be effective, life-long communicators, pro-active leaders, and scholarly practioners who create, design, deliver, and interpret the messages in interpersonal, organizational, and societal contexts. Our graduates will be prepared to actively contribute to the constant changing technological environment.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
THE DYNAMICS OF MASS COMMUNICATION: Media in Transition. Eleventh Edition: Author: Joseph R. Dominick ISBN: 978-0-07-337888-6
This course will cover print media, radio, television, satellite and cable broadcasting, motion pictures, the Internet, social media and other forms of communication. The rich history and the current state of innovation in media are to be covered. What will be the next innovation in social media? This course plans to look at the contributions in media and communication from Thomas Edison to Steve Jobs, and the visionaries in media from Marconi to Ted Turner. Other sources of reading will be assigned and will be announced. Other materials will come from magazines, newspapers, scholarly journals, digital video discs, the Internet and guest lecturers. We will cover subjects not covered in the text due to the lightning fast innovation of the digital age of media.
GROUND RULES
Show up for class. I fully expect you to show up, on time, and take a role in participation in class discussion. Cross talk and conversations with your classmate neighbors during class are strongly discouraged. Unexcused absences are an indication that you have no intent of serious study of the course. It costs money to go to college. Take advantage of the opportunities here at Kennesaw State University. Be proactive in your education. Absences without a note from a health professional or a funeral director in case of a death in the family will be marked unexcused. Not showing up for class just because you didn’t feel ok are unexcused. You will find out that in the real world that you have to “play hurt in this league.” 4 unexcused absences will deduct a full letter grade when posting final grades at the end of the semester. Habitual tardiness is something that can and will go against you in final grading. You are required to sign in for every class and include your time of arrival. It should be understood that I will not discuss or debate your final grade. I don’t give grades, you must earn them. You are the master of your destiny in this class. Material covered in class will be emphasized on exams and active quality participation is considered in the student’s favor when final grades are determined. It is the student’s responsibility to EARN the desired grade. You have the opportunity to learn from 40 years broadcast experience in radio and television with the majority of it in a major market. I write a weekly column for my hometown newspaper and I have acted in films such as Remember the Titans and Major League 3 Back to the Minors. I appeared in NBC’s hit show In the Heat of the Night.
GRADING
40% of your grade is from 4 exams. 30% of your grade is from written assignments. Your final exam will be worth 20% of the overall grade. 10% of your grade is from quality participation in class. If you are not in class, you are not participating. 4 unexcused absences will result in a full letter grade penalty. 6 unexcused absences will result in a drop of two full letter grades and 9 absences (excused or unexcused) will result in a failing grade.
LATE OUT-OF-CLASS ASSIGNMENTS
Assignments are due to the instructor NO LATER THAN 2:15 p.m. on the designated due date. Assignments must be submitted physically to the instructor. I do not accept e-mail attachments for written assignments. Being late will be subject to a full letter grade for each day not handed in. Assignments that are 10 days late are an automatic zero.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
Every student at Kennesaw State University is responsible for upholding the provisions of the Student Code of Conduct, as published in the Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs. Section II of the Code of Conduct addresses the University’s policy on academic honesty, including provisions regarding plagiarism and cheating, unauthorized access to University materials, etc. Incidents of alleged academic misconduct will be handled through the established procedures of the University Judiciary Program, which include either an “informal” resolution by a faculty member, resulting in a grade adjustment, or a formal hearing procedure, which may be subject to the Code of Conduct’s minimum one semester suspension requirement.
CONFERENCES
Students may arrange an appointment concerning the course at a time specified mutually by student and instructor. E-mail rhubarb@kennesaw.edu and the office phone number is (770) 499-3658.
THE KSU WRITING CENTER
The KSU Writing Center is a free service offered to all KSU students. Experienced, friendly writing assistants work with you on thesis development, organization, research documentation, grammar, mechanics, and more. They help you improve your paper and teach you strategies to become a better writer on your own. For information or to make an appointment, visit http://www.kennesaw.edu/english/WritingCenter, or stop by Room 242 in the English Building.
NOTE: All aspects of this syllabus are subject to change. If changes do occur, you will be notified in a timely manner. It is your responsibility to check it before class. Please check www.wordpress.com and go to rhubarbjones for quick memos of future classes such as guest lecturers. An update of the syllabus will be on Georgia Vista.
COM 2230
STATEMENT OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND UNDERSTANDING
I have read and understand all the rules and conditions presented in this document. I further understand that it is my responsibility to read the entire document and ask questions of the instructor to clarify any points that I do no understand or that are not clear upon reading. I understand that 40% of my grade is from 4 exams, 30% from written assignments, 20% of my grade is from the final exam and 10% is from active, quality participation. I also understand the attendance policy in this document and is acknowledged. Excused AND unexcused absences can have an impact on the final grade that has to be earned by the student. It is also understood that final grades will not be debated by the instructor. It is implied that I understand the contents as they appear and are interpreted by the instructor, and thus waive any opportunity to ask for clarification or challenge anything presented in the pages of this document. My signature on this document is required in order to qualify to take any exam. Failure to do so will result in the instructor’s refusal to allow the student to take the exam.
I have read all the items contained in the entire syllabus and have asked for clarification from the instructor on any points upon which I needed further clarification.
Printed Name________________________________________________
Signature____________________________________________________
Date Signed__________________________________________________
Class Schedule & Assignments
January 10- First Day of Class-Introductions-Syllabus review-Expectations-Brainstorming
January 12- Perspectives (Chapter 2)
January 17- Historical and Cultural Content (Chapter 3)
January 19- Newspapers (Chapter 4) Test One Preview
January 24- Test One
January 26- Written Assignment One (Two full page opinion paper on the most significant innovation in mass media BEFORE the Internet and an analysis of your opinion.
January 31- Magazines (Chapter 5)
February 2- Discussion of Magazines
February 7- Books (Chapter 6)
February 9- Written Assignment One due. Discussion of Chapter 6)
February 14- Test Two Preview
February 16- Radio (Chapter 7) Test Two
February 21- Empire of the Air part one
February 23- Empire of the Air part two Written Assignment Two (A two full page opinion paper on the form of mass media from before the digital age that will survive in the coming years. I want to know why you feel as you do. Two full pages.
February 28- Sound Recording (Chapter 8)
March 6- Spring Break
March 8- Spring Break
March 13- Written Assignment Two due
March 15- Preview Test Three
March 20- Television (Chapter 10) Test Three
March 22- Discussion of Chapter 10
March 27- Cable and Satellite (Chapter 11)
March 29- Written Assignment Three- Two page opinion paper on the future of Social Media as you see it. Discussion of Chapter 11
April 3- Internet (Chapter 12)
April 5- Discussion of Chapter 12
April 10- Test Four Preview
April 12- Test Four
April 17- The Future of Mass Media?
April 19- Discussion on the Future of Mass Media
April 24- Wrapping up
April 26- Final Exam Preview
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