MCM 101: Introduction to Mass Media

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1 MCM 101: Introduction to Mass Media Course: MCM Fall 2010 Department of Communication and Meeting Times: TR 12:30 1:45 Contemporary Culture Location: LAN 142 Instructor: Stephen McPaul Phone: Office: BO 301E Office Hours: MWF 11am 2pm TR 11am 12:30pm Other times by appointment COURSE DESCRIPTION This is an introductory course designed to acquaint the student with the process of communication. Students in radio/television must complete MCM 101 and MCM 112 with a grade of C or better in each course before advancing in the major. Students majoring in any of the journalism program tracks (Public Relations, Advertising, Newswriting, or Photojournalism) must complete MCM 101, MCM 103, and MCM 200 with a grade of C or better in each course before advancing in the major. TEXT Baran, Stanley J. (2009). Introduction to Mass Communication: Media Literacy and Culture. (6 th Edition). McGraw Hill. PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES The following program learning outcomes will be addressed by this course. The student: 2. will demonstrate the ability to recognize broadcast program structure elements and critically analyze them 4. will display comprehension of the terminology used in the discipline STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES Students will demonstrate a comprehension of terminology used in the discipline through exams and presentations. OBJECTIVES By the end of the course, the student should be able to: Understand the history of mass media Understand the functions and limitations of mass media Understand the staffing and organization of mass media Understand the characteristics and role of advertising in mass media Understand news services and syndicates Analyze ethical issues related to journalism Analyze legal issues related to journalism Analyze the influence of media on U.S. culture

2 Identify career opportunities in the mass media Understand principles of newsworthiness and criteria for evaluating new stories Understand the characteristics and expectation of media audiences STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES To obtain disability related accommodations, alternate formats and/or auxiliary aids, students with disabilities must contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS), Human Services Building Room 325 or by phone ( / [TDD]) as early as possible in the semester. Once verified, ODS will notify the course instructor and outline the accommodation and/or auxiliary aids to be provided. Failure to request services in a timely manner may delay your accommodations. For additional information, go to COURSE POLICIES Attendance: Attendance counts for 10% of your grade in this class. You are expected to attend every lecture. Therefore, each student is responsible for any material missed in class. If you miss a lecture or assignment, you will receive a zero for that day or assignment. Absences will be excused for the following reasons only: 1) documented physical illness or 2) official university business. Attendance in a college class is not merely a measure of the number of times you attend class. It is also a measure of your active involvement in the class. Cell Phones: Please remember to turn cell phones to silent mode before class begins. Do not use your cell phones during class to text message, to make or take calls, to check , etc. If you violate this request, you will be asked to leave the classroom and will be counted absent for the day. Laptops: You may use a laptop during class to take notes, but not to surf the Internet, IM, , play games, etc. Again, if you violate this request, you will be asked to leave the classroom and will be counted absent for the day. Late Work: Deadlines are crucial in any field, media included. This class is no exception. Accordingly, no late work will be accepted. You are informed of due dates and for assignments well in advance. Accordingly, you have ample time to properly prepare for each. You may make arrangements to turn in assignments ahead of time. Academic Integrity (A-9.1): Academic integrity is a responsibility of all university faculty and students. Faculty members promote academic integrity in multiple ways including instruction on the components of academic honesty, as well as abiding by university policy on penalties for cheating and plagiarism.

3 Definition of Academic Dishonesty Academic dishonest includes both cheating and plagiarism. Cheating includes but is not limited to (1) using or attempting to use unauthorized materials to aid in achieving a better grade on a component of a class; (2) the falsification or invention of any information, including citations, on an assigned exercise; and/or (3) helping or attempting to help another in an act of cheating or plagiarism. Plagiarism is presenting the words or ideas of another person as if they were your own. Examples of plagiarism are (1) submitting an assignment as if it were one s own work when, in fact, it is at least partly the work of another; (2) submitting a work that has been purchased or otherwise obtained from an Internet source or another source; and (3) incorporating the words or ideas of an author into one s paper without giving the author due credit. Please read the complete policy at Acceptable Student Behavior: Classroom behavior should not interfere with the instructor s ability to conduct the class or the ability of other students to learn from the instructional program (see the Student Conduct Code, policy D- 34.1). Unacceptable or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. Students who disrupt the learning environment may be asked to leave class and may be subject to judicial, academic or other penalties. This prohibition applies to all instructional forums, including electronic, classroom, labs, discussion groups, field trips, etc. The instructor shall have full discretion over what behavior is appropriate/inappropriate in the classroom. Students who do not attend class regularly or who perform poorly on class projects/exams may be referred to the Early Alert Program. This program provides students with recommendations for resources or other assistance that is available to help SFA students succeed. Lectures: What happens in lectures is not duplicated in the text or on the Internet. Class periods are designed to help you to understand the material under review to help you recognize the complex and multifaceted nature of the issues we will address. My goal is to help you think about the issues from a different perspective; to help you to understand the significance of the issues; to stimulate your interest. You cannot get the information I will present during class meetings elsewhere. Nor would I trust someone else s notes. No one writes down all of the material in a manner that you can assimilate by being present in class, so I expect (and want) you to attend the lectures. I will do my best to make the class periods interesting and worthwhile for you. I know your time is as valuable as mine, and the last thing I want to do is waste any of it. Participation: We will do a lot of discussion and class participation. You will want to be prepared to participate that means reading and thinking about what you have read before coming to class. In-class writing is required. These exercises assess understanding of, or reaction to, a problem related to readings and class discussion. No late submissions or excuses are accepted.

4 You must read carefully and promptly, listen closely, and engage other students and the instructor actively and imaginatively. Your achievement will be assessed according to your ability to define and apply concepts on examinations and your productivity in research. To excel in this course, you need to participate. That means browsing through many forms of media daily. Come to class prepared to discuss what you ve seen and heard. Don t be intimidated by speaking up. Your ideas are important. Grades: The goal of this class is for students to learn the basic principles of the mass media. In doing so, I hope you will develop an appreciation for research and for writing. The grading of this class is designed to let you know how well you re doing. If you attend, participate, and complete all the assignments, you should do fine in the course. I intend for grading to help you assess how well you know and understand information and ideas covered in this course and how clearly and precisely you express your knowledge and understanding. Letter grades will be assigned as follows: A: B: C: D: F: ASSIGNMENTS The following is a general breakdown of the assignments for this course. These assignments may change in value and nature at the discretion of the instructor. Assignments will count as follows in the final course grade: Attendance 100 points In-Class Writing 200 points (20 points each) Critical Evaluation of Media 100 points Exams 600 points (150 points each) ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTIONS In-Class Writing: To help you master the course content, develop your analytical skills, and improve your writing, you will write several short essays in response to topics and readings in class. These assignments will allow you to reinforce and demonstrate knowledge of in-class discussion and improve writing and analytical skills. These will be written and turned in during class time. You MUST turn these in on 4 x 6 index cards (other sizes and paper will be credited at 50%). To prepare for these, you should read the text, newspapers, magazines, watch TV, and listen to the radio. Be sure to pay attention to ads as well. Critical Evaluation of Media: For this assignment, you will analyze, compare, and contrast two different types of television programs. You will pay particular

5 attention to appeals, demographics, psychographics, ads, effects on viewers, writing, editing, and intended vs. actual perception. More information will be provided as the deadline approaches. You will compare the following program types: o 30 minute national or local news broadcast o 30 or 60 minute scripted comedy or drama Exams: Exams will cover assigned readings, class discussion, viewings of television and film, and other materials presented. Each of the four exams will be 50 questions (multiple choice, true/false, and matching) for a total of 150 points per exam. You will be required to provide your own scantron for the exams (Green 882 Scantrons). Withheld Grades Semester Grades Policy (A-54) Ordinarily, at the discretion of the instructor of record and with the approval of the academic chair/director, a grade of WH will be assigned only if the student cannot complete the course work because of unavoidable circumstances. Students must complete the work within one calendar year from the end of the semester in which they receive a WH, or the grade automatically becomes an F. If students register for the same course in future terms the WH will automatically become an F and will be counted as a repeated course for the purpose of computing the grade point average.

6 Tentative Course Schedule (Subject to change) Date Topic & Assignment Due Readings 8-31 & 9-2 Intro to class/overview; What is mass communication? CH & 9-9 What is mass comm?; Media & mass comm process CH & 9-16 Media & mass comm process; Media function & sources CH. 2; & 9-23 Media advertising; Commercial codes, media ecology CH. 3 10, & 9-30 Exam 1 (9-28); Intro to media effects CH & 10-7 Media effects use & influence CH & Media effects; Representation in the media CH. 13; & Representation in the media; Exam 2 (10-21) & The News Evolution and Tabloidization CH & 11-4 Influence of ownership; Public Relations CH. 8; & Public Relations; Media Freedom, Regulation, & Ethics CH. 11; 14 Critical Evaluation Due (11-11) & Exam 3 (11-16); Internet & Global Media CH & Internet & Global Media; Thanksgiving Holiday (11-25) CH & 12-2 Convergence & Motives CH & 12-9 Future of Media Final Exam: Exam 4 (non-comprehensive) Thursday, December 16, 10:30 12:30