Syllabus

JOU 110 - Intro to Mass Media
Spring 2010 - Ankeny Campus

Instructor : Andy Langager
Email: andylangager at gmail dot com
Cell phone: 319-290-8229
AIM: andylangager2
Office: Building 3, room 2
Office Hours: By appointment
Class website: http://intro110.blogspot.com
This class meets MWF 9:05-10 a.m. Building 2, room 13

Course goals:
We have Freedom of the Press, but have you ever considered what isn't allowed to be printed in the newspaper or broadcast on the radio? Have you thought about how the invention of television impacted the film industry? What about the content of your Facebook profile as a new concern when you're applying for a job?
We can't escape the mass media in our daily lives. TV, radio, the Internet, film, music, magazines and books surround us everyday. To be an effective participant in our democratic society, it is essential to be able to 1) think critically about the mass media and 2) understand its history, laws, ethics, and effects.
I want you be engaged with this class: participating in class discussions and writing reaction papers will hopefully challenge your critical thinking, while the tests will demonstrate your understanding of its history, laws, ethics and effects.

Required Text:
Dominick, Joseph R. The Dynamics of Mass Communications, 10th Ed.

A note about the text: Each lecture (except video games) is more or less based on a chapter from the text. The text will be useful for studying for exams, and for each lecture you should read the chapter beforehand so you'll be prepared for discussions.

Email: Regular access to email is a must for this course. Assignments, study guides, and other class info will be sent via email.

Attendance policy: Attendance is required. Part of your grade will be based on your attendance and participation. That said, I know conflicts arise. It's possible to miss some classes and still get an A (see Grading, below).
Missing class won't count against you as much if you touch base with me via phone or email. Obviously this won't help too much if you miss class regularly.

Long story short: If you want an A or a B (which I hope everyone does), plan on coming to class every day.

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

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

Reaction Papers: I'm going to assign 14 reaction papers throughout the semester. You will be responsible for writing 9 of them. If you do a 10th paper, it will be counted as extra credit. Each paper is worth 10 points. I highly recommend not skipping the early ones thinking you'll just do the last 9. Plus, the earlier ones are easier.

Papers will be about one full page single spaced, based on a short reading assignment or theme. You can email your paper before class on Fridays or hand it on on paper during class.


Tests: There will be four tests (including the final). Test are multiple choice, true false, short answer and essay. I will have a study guide for each.

Research Paper: I'll assign a four page research paper on the subject of your choice that will be due toward the end of the semester.

Academic dishonesty: Cheating and plagiarism will be dealt with according to DMACC's official policies. Always cite your sources, never lift other sentences word for word without using quotes. Attribute any ideas or facts that aren't common knowledge to the original author. If you're not sure, ask for help.

Grading:
Tests: 4 x 50 points = 200 points total
Reaction Papers: 9 papers x 10 points each = 90 points
Research paper: 50 points
Quizzes and participation: 60 points
= 400 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

"A" work: Deadlines met regularly for assignments; student has gone above and beyond to demonstrate he or she understands the concepts of the assignment. Shows time and effort put into every assignment. About zero to four unexcused absences (some exceptions for excused absences). Communicates with instructor about missed classes. Overall work is excellent.

"B" work: Deadlines met for nearly every assignment; student has show he or she has a strong understanding of the concepts of the assignments. The basic requirements of the assignments are fulfilled with good, solid work. About zero to six unexcused absences. Communicates with instructor about missed classes. Overall work is above average.

"C" work: Most deadlines met, but some missed. Not all assignments fulfilled to specifications. Student shows some understanding for the concepts at hand, but some of the work could have benefited from more time or effort put into it. Has missed more than eight classes. Sometimes communicates with instructor about missed classes. Overall work is average.

"D" work: Deadlines missed regularly. More than one or two assignments missed. Student does not fully demonstrate an understanding of the concepts. Has missed more than 10 classes. Rarely communicates with instructor. Not much effort put into work. Overall work is below average.

"F" work: Deadlines missed regularly. Assignments left incomplete. Student shows distinct lack of effort towards the class. No demonstration of learning the concepts at hand. Almost no communication with instructor. Overall work is far below average.

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). Keep in mind anything interesting going on in the media to discuss in class (or email me a link and I'll put it on our class blog!)

Late assignments.
Your reaction papers will be due every Friday in class or via email BEFORE class. Late assignments have a grace period of 5 days, but understand:
1) I'd really like them in on time so I can grade them and get them back to you over the weekend
2) More importantly, I'd really like them in on time because we will be discussing them in class on Fridays.

After 5 days (weekends included), assignments won't be accepted. (This means you'd have to get it to me sometime on Wednesday the next week)

Although your assignment won't be marked down, I will take the number of late assignments into account for your final grade (See the descriptions of each letter grade above).

Missing a test: If you miss a test, you can make it up for full credit if you have a note from the doctor. It must be taken in a reasonable amount of time from the original test date (two weeks is pushing it).
Otherwise, if you miss a test (overslept, alarm didn't go off, etc.) you can take it (or an alternate version to prevent leaked answers) with 15% penalty.
You need to arrange with me so I can leave your test in Building 6 in the make-up test center. You'll have 7 days to make it up.

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 when you are (outside of this class), 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 in Ankeny.

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.
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Monday - January 11
Introduction, Wikipedia, plagiarism

Wednesday - January 13
Discuss syllabus

Friday - January 15
Part I: Nature and History of Mass Communications
Chapter 1 - Communication: Mass and Other Forms
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Monday - January 18
Chapter 2 - Perspectives on Mass Communication

Wednesday - January 20

Friday - January 23
Chapter 3 - Historical Context
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Monday - January 25
Catch up day

Wednesday - January 27
Test #1 (Chapters 1-3)

Friday - January 29
Part II: Specific Media Professions
Chapter 13 - News Gathering and Reporting
Assign research paper
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Monday - February 1
News gathering continued (Video: News War)

Wednesday - February 3
Chapter 14 - Publics Relations

Friday - February 4
Small groups - Different public relations situations
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Monday - February 8
Chapter 15 - Advertising

Wednesday - February 10
Advertising, continued

Friday - February 12
Catch-up day/movie
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Monday - February 15
Test #2 (Chapters 13-15)

Wednesday - February 17
Part III: Media History
Chapter 4 - Newspapers

Friday - February 19
Video: Star Journal
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Monday - February 22
Chapter 5 & 6 - Books and Magazines

Wednesday - February 24
Chapter 7 - Radio

Friday - February 26
Catch-up
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Monday - March 1
Chapter 8 - Sound Recording

Wednesday - March 3
Chapter 8, continued

Friday - March 5
Chapter 9 - Motion Pictures
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Monday - March 8
Chapter 10 & 11 - Television

Wednesday - March 10
Television continued

Friday - March 12
Catchup day/movie
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March 15-20 SPRING BREAK!
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Monday - March 22
Chapter 12 - Internet

Wednesday - March 24
Internet, continued

Friday - March 26
Internet, continued
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Monday - March 29
Video Games

Wednesday - March 31
Video games, continued

Friday - April 2
Test #3 (Chapters 4-12 plus video games)
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Monday - April 5
Part IV & V: Regulation and Impact of the Mass Media
Chapter 16 - Formal Controls: Laws, Rules, Regulations

Wednesday - April 7
Chapter 16, continued

Friday - April 9
Chapter 16, continued
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Monday - April 12
Chapter 17 - Ethics and Other Informal Controls

Wednesday - April 14
Chapter 17 continued

Friday - April 17
Chapter 17 continued
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Monday - April 19
Chapter 18 - The Global Village


Wednesday - April 21
Chapter 18, continued
Research paper due

Friday - April 23
Chapter 19 - Social Effects of Mass Communication
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Monday - April 26
Chapter 19, continued

Wednesday - April 28
Chapter 19, continued

Friday - April 30
Review
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Finals week!
Scheduled Final: Thursday - May 6 - Final - 8 a.m. - 10:15 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."