Syllabus!

JOU 110 - Intro to Mass Media
Fall 2008 - Ankeny Campus

Andy Langager, Instructor
andylangager@gmail.com
Class website: http://media110.blogspot.com
Cell phone: 319-290-8229
Office: Building 3W, Room 2 (The Chronicle room, office inside on the left)
Office Hours: By appointment

This class meets TR 9:40 -11:05 a.m., 3E Room 127

Required Text:
Dominick, Joseph R. The Dynamics of Mass Communications, 9th Ed.

Attendance policy: Attendance is required. There will be pop quizzes throughout the semester to encourage attendance. Quizzes will cover readings and the news.
If you must miss a class, it is your responsibility to catch up on missing assignments or lessons. If you know you are going to miss class, I do appreciate a phone call or email to let me know.

Academic dishonesty: Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated and will be dealt with according to DMACC's official policies. Always cite your sources, never lift other sentences word for word without using quotes.

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

Course goals:
•Recognize the role of media in changing political and cultural dynamics on the global stage
•Develop a strong historical sense of how mass communications technologies originated and developed into what they are today.
ªUnderstand the variety of relationships among media and their audiences
•Understand the ongoing government regulations of the U.S. media, as well as the constitutional principles that guide it
•Recognize the ethical and philosophical issues that arise in media culture and understand the range of viewpoints regarding each issue
•Understand the behind-the-scenes operations and decision-making processes of all major mass communications industries
•Understand the process of pursuing a full range of media careers and the tasks that each career requires

Day to day assignments: Assignments, unless otherwise noted, are expected to be finished the day they are listed.


Reaction Papers: Throughout the semester, you will write a weekly reaction paper based on a reading. They will be about 500 words and will be based on a theme or question given with the reading. Papers will be assigned Thursdays and will be due the following Thursday (dropped in my mailbox or emailed if we don't have class). We will do 12 or 13 papers and you can drop your lowest scores (your 10 best scores will count).

Research paper: About half way through the semester, you will turn in a paper on the topic of your choice. This will be your chance to research something you are interested in and teach me about it. It will be about 800-1000 words and use at least three credible sources.

Special Project: There will be a special group presentation project later on in the semester. I will give you more information about that when the time comes.

Exams: There will be four exams (including the final). There will be one covering each of the parts in the book (with Parts IV and V being grouped together).

Grading:
Exams: 4 x 50 points = 200 points total
Reaction Papers:10 papers x 10 points each = 100 points
Research paper: 50 points
Special project: 50 points
Quizzes and participation: 50 points
= 450 total points

Grading scale:
95-100% A
90-94 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

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). From time to time I will have a daily assignment for this.

Late assignments. Late assignments (without legitimate excuse) will be docked 5 points per day, with a max penalty of 50%. Papers will not be accepted 7 days after due date.
You have until midnight the day the assignment is due to get it to me, after that, it's the first 5 points off.

Missing an exam: If you plan on missing an exam, you must get it pre-approved by me. If you miss an exam due to unforeseen circumstances, whether you get to make it up is at the discretion of the instructor. In general, exams can't be made up unless you have a doctor's note or there was an emergency.

Emailing assignments: There may come a time when you need to email an assignment to me. I am fine with this, but please realize: You are responsible if the email is delivered to me late, even if it's not your fault, and, emailing assignment does not give you license to skip class that day. I will reply to all emailed assignments so you know I got it.

Classroom conduct: It goes without saying to treat fellow classmates (as well as your instructor!) with respect. 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.

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 everyday, 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.

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/

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.







Part I: Nature and History of Mass Communications

Tuesday - August 26
Introduction, discuss syllabus, Wikipedia, plagiarism

Thursday - August 28
Chapter 1 - Communication: Mass and Other Forms
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Tuesday - September 2
Chapter 2 - Perspectives on Mass Communication

Thursday - September 4
Chapter 3 - Historical Context
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Tuesday - September 9
Chapter 3 continued, video

Thursday - September 11
Exam #1
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Part II: Specific Professions
Tuesday - September 16
Chapter 12 - News Gathering and Reporting

Thursday - September 18
Class exercise - The Crime Scene
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Tuesday - September 23
Chapter 13 - Publics Relations
Small groups - PR

Thursday - September 25
Chapter 14 - Advertising
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Tuesday - September 30
Bring a magazine ad to class
Video - The Persuaders

Thursday - October 2
Exam #2
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Part III: Media
Tuesday - October 7
Chapter 4 - Newspapers
Video (if time): Newspaper Wars z 286 .N48 N48 1989

Thursday - October 9
Chapter 5 & 6 - Magazines and books
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Tuesday - October 14
Chapter 7 - Radio
Listen to some old radio shows including War of the Worlds
Video clip from Battle Over Citizen Kane

Thursday - October 16
Chapter 8 - Sound recording
Small groups - File sharing
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Tuesday - October 21
Chapter 9 - Motion Pictures
Watch examples of early films

Thursday - October 23
Chapter 10 - Television
(if time) Video - Film in the Television Age PN 1993.5 .A1 A44 1994 pt.8
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Tuesday - October 28
Chapter 11 - Internet
Bring three unique facts about the Internet to class

Thursday - October 30
Video games
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Tuesday - November 4 (Nov. 3 last day to drop)
Exam #3

Parts IV & V: Regulations and Impact of Mass Media
Thursday - November 6
Chapter 15 - Formal Controls: Laws, Rules, Regulations
Small groups - nuclear power plant scenario
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Tuesday - November 11
Chapter 15 continued
Video: Frontline: News War

Thursday - November 13
Chapter 16 - Ethics and Other Informal Controls
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Tuesday - November 18
Movie - Shattered Glass


Thursday - November 20
Finished Shattered Glass, discuss
Chapter 17 - The Global Village
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Tuesday - November 25
Chapter 18 - Social Effects of Mass Communication


Thursday - November 27 - Thanksgiving - No school!
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Tuesday - December 2
Chapt 18 continued (if needed)
Begin Special Project presentations

Thursday - December 4
Special Project presentations
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Final : Thursday, Dec. 11, 9 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."