Syllabus
COM 1520 Introduction to Mass Communication
SPRING 2016
Dr.
Elliot Gaines, Office: 411 Millett
email:
[email protected]
Meeting
Tuesdays and Thursdays - 9:30-10:50 2013. p.m.
Room 301
MILLETT HALL
COURSE
DESCRIPTION:
This course focuses on the fundamentals of mass
communication. It stresses the importance of developing the informed critical
perspective needed to participate in the larger debate about mass communication
as a force for both democracy and consumerism. We will take a chronological and
thematic approach to media
history, the structure of media industries, and knowledge about the major
players in the field.
COURSE GOALS
By the end of this course you should have a better understanding of: (1) how mass communication operates as a business in our society; (2) the economics of mass media; (3) how media is regulated, if at all; (4) who decides what media messages are sent, and where, and why; (5) the effects of mass media on some communities; (6) how to analyze mass communication more critically; (7) your own media consumption.
Readings:
TURN OFF ALL
ELECTRONIC DEVICES
CELL
PHONE, COMPUTERS, AND OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES CANNOT BE USED DURING CLASS
UNLESS DR. GAINES HAS GIVEN PERMISSION.
While
some of
Cell
phone ringing, disturbances, or other unprofessional acts may also result in
points deducted.
Unprofessional
behaviors or disturbances may result in a student being dismissed from the
class.
STUDENTS
ARE REQUIRED TO ACCESS THEIR WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY EMAIL ACCOUNT AND PILOT TO
RECEIVE UPDATED INFORMATION FROM THE INSTRUCTOR.
THIS SYLABUS
MAY BE MODIFIED AS THE TERM PROGRESSES.
*
Attendance is required and accounts for points applied to the final
grade. A roll call will be conducted early during each class period and will
not be updated for late arrivals.
Late arrivals will not be counted.
Online sessions and assignments will adapt similar standards.
During
the first week of classes, the course syllabus, policies, procedures, grade and
performance criteria will be covered in-depth. These introductory sessions are
essential, and will not be repeated.
Students not attending the first week of the course will be dropped.
Students
in this course are subject to attendance requirements and restrictions. Specifically, anyone not attending the
first week of class will be dropped.
ASSIGNMENTS
AND EXAMS CANNOT BE MADE UP. If you
miss the due date of an assignment, or you miss a quiz or exam, they cannot be
made up. If you miss a class, call
a friend to ask what you missed, but do not expect to be excused.
Grades
will only be discussed individually during office hours. It is the student�s responsibility to
initiate questions about grades.
All
students should be familiar with Wright State University�s policy on academic
dishonesty. Cheating and plagiarism—submitting someone else�s work or
ideas as your own—will not be tolerated. Plagiarism will result in failure for an
assignment and possibly a failure for the course.
Grading:
The course is intended to provide an opportunity to learn by
participating in activities such as readings, class meetings, and assignments. Students should understand their own
responsibilities. In order to accomplish the goals and objectives of the
course, each student must follow the steps provided in the syllabus and by the
instructor during class. The best results come from getting things done on
time, reading and preparing before class meetings, and generally approaching
the subject with curiosity and motivation to get what you can out of the
experience.
It is important to recognize each assignment as a small step
toward accomplishing a goal. If you don�t understand the significance of the
assignment and its relationship to the goals of the class, PLEASE ASK WITH
ENOUGH TIME BEFORE THE ASSIGNMENT IS DUE!
The real measure of success in the course is determined by the quality of
students� personal experiences . There is enormous
value in questioning yourself about your level of
commitment and motivation, and understanding your responsibility for the extent
of your accomplishments in the course.
GRADING and The Essential Breakdown of the POTENTIAL*** POINTS
Exams, =
60 points
Weekly Assignments =
30 points
Attendance and Participation =
20 points
Disturbances
or unacceptable behaviors will not be tolerated and may result in a student
losing points, being asked to leave the class, or other disciplinary actions.
COURSE
SCHEDULE
THE
FOLLOWING SCHEDUAL MAY BE CHANGED, and the
SYLABUS MAY BE MODIFIED AS THE TERM PROGRESSES. Additional
readings and other assignments will be added to the following schedule.
STUDENTS
ARE RESPONSIBLE TO CHECK FOR NOTIFICATIONS, AND BE AWARE OF ANY CHANGES.
Week # Activity
Wk #1 Jan. 12-14
Jan. 12, Tuesday; Introduction to the Course: syllabus,
assignments, online process, and preparation before class meetings.
Jan. 14,
Thursday; Chapter 1 READING DUE
Wk#2 Jan.19-21
Jan. 19,
Tuesday: Chapter 1 continued.
Jan. 21, Thursday; Chapter 1 continued.
Wk #3 Jan.26-28
Jan. 26, Tuesday; Chapter 16 READING
DUE
Jan. 28, Thursday:
Chapter 16 continued.
Wk #4 Feb.2-4
Feb. 2, Tuesday; Chapter
16 continued.
Feb. 4,
Thursday; Chapter 2. READING DUE
Wk #5 Feb. 9-11
Feb. 9, Tuesday; Chapter 2 continued. Discussion
and
review for the exam.
Feb. 11, Thursday; Chapter 2 continued.
Viewing: Charles
Sanders Peirce: Semiotics and the Logic of Pragmatism http://www.wright.edu/~elliot.gaines/peirce_stream.html
Wk #6 Feb. 16-18
Feb. 16: Tuesday;
Exam #1 Chapters 1, 16, and 2.
Feb. 18: Thursday;
Chapter 3 READING DUE
Wk
#7 Feb.
23-25
Feb. 23: Tuesday; Chapter 3 continued
Feb. 25: Thursday;
Chapter 5 READING DUE
[Wk #8 March
1-3.] SPRING BREAK Feb. 29-March 4.
Wk #9 March 8-10
March
8: Tuesday; Chapter 5 continued
March
10: Thursday; Chapter
8 READING DUE
Wk #10
March
15-17
March 15: Tuesday; Chapter 8 continued.
March 17: Thursday; Chapter 8 continued. Review for Exam #2
Wk #11 March
22-24
March 22: Tuesday: Exam #2 Chapters 3, 5, and 8.
March 24: Thursday: Chapter 11 READING DUE
Wk #12 March
29-31
March 29: Tuesday: Chapter 11 continued.
March 31: Thursday: Chapter 11 continued.
Viewing �History of Tobacco Advertising�.
Wk #13
April 5-7
April 5: Tuesday: Chapter
13 READING DUE
April 7: Thursday: Chapter 13 continued.
Wk #14
April 12-14
April
12: Tuesday: Chapter 13 continued.
April
14: Thursday Chapter 14 READING
DUE
Wk#15
April 19-21
April
19: Tuesday: Chapter 14
continued.
April 21: Thursday:
Review
WK
#16 FINAL EXAM April 26, 2016. 8-10 AM