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JOUR 2 Mass Comm

Author:   Cecilia Deck  
Posted: 4/3/2009; 11:32:25 AM
Topic: JOUR 2 Mass Comm
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JOUR 2 Mass Communication and its Impact on Society (4 units)

(Preliminary syllbus -- subject to change)

SECTION 1 - Room L-42 Tuesday/Thursday 10 a.m. to 12:25  p.m.
Students need to attend every day for the first week to retain their seats.

PROFESSOR: Cecilia Deck
DESCRIPTION A survey of the mass media and measurement of its impact on society. Mass media effects on global and American institutions. Theories of mass communication in the context of the media: radio, television, recordings, magazines, newspapers, books, films and the Internet. Ethical, moral and legal Influences of the media on gender and minority issues. This course qualifies for the De Anza A.A./A.S. degree in area D, the general education requirement for CSU in area D7, and the general education requirement for UC/CSU (IGETC) in area 4G. It is a requirement for De Anza's A.A. degree in journalism. PREQUISITE ADVISORY: EWRT 1A or ESL 5

COURSE OBJECTIVES
In this course, you will:
  • Examine the development and role of media in a changing political and cultural world, within a historical perspective.
  • Examine relationships and effects between media and popular culture, including your role as a consumer of the media and participant in mass culture.
  • examine the government regulations of the media as well as the constitutional principles that guide it.
  • Examine ethical, philosophical and controversial issues that arise in mass media; discuss a range of viewpoints regarding these issues.
  • Examine behind-the-scenes operations, decision-making processes, and careers in the media industries: books, newspapers, magazines, movies, radio, recordings, television and the Internet.
TEXTBOOKS
  • Rodman, George. Mass Media in a Changing World, 4th edition (required).
  • Workbook to Accompany Mass Media in a Changing World (required) The workbook will be handed out in class. There is no cost, but replacements are $10.
REQUIRED MATERIALS
  • Computer with Internet access and your own email address. Computer labs are available on campus in the lower level of Learning Center West and the Language Arts Computer Lab in the lower level of the Advanced Technology Center. Free refurbished desktop computers may be available to students through the Financial Aid Office.
  • Bring the text and the workbook to class every day.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS It is expected that you spend 12 hours a week on 4-unit courses at De Anza: 4 hours in class and 8 hours out of class.

1. Read text and any other reading assignments: I generally do not lecture on the textbook readings. During class I give brief reviews on portions of the readings, talk about related issues and ask students to contribute to discussion. Thus, you must read the assignments to participate in class, and you must ask questions about portions of the text you don't understand. Read the assignments by the date indicated on the course Assignment Calendar, and come to class prepared to discuss them.

2. Attend Class: Attendance is required; only two absences are allowed. After two absences, students my be dropped or lose points. Students are accountable for assigned work if they have been absent. I encourage networking so students can learn what they missed if absent.

3. Participate in Class: I use active and collaborative teaching methods, requiring participation from all, sometimes as a group and sometimes as individuals. I want students to be active media consumers outside of class and bring in newspaper and magazine clippings, other "show and tell" items about the media, as well as discuss their own observations on and about the media in class.

4. Take Quizzes: Fifteen timed quizzes, one per chapter/topic, based on the readings in the textbook and previous class discussions, will be given in class the day the reading is due. A portion of the quizzes will be open book. Quiz scores of 6 or less will be graded as 0. The last quiz will be comprehensive.

5. Complete Workbook and Other assignments: The Workbook and other assignments (blog entries, weekly reports, research paper) should be completed throughout the quarter and handed in as specified by the instructor. Each textbook chapter has a corresponding workbook chapter, due when the reading is due. See the Grading section for the list of assignments and their point value.

CLASS POLICIES
  • In class we will talk about interesting, and sometimes volatile, issues. I expect students to be professional and courteous, to listen to one another, and to show tolerance and respect for varying viewpoints.
  • Students who exhibit inappropriate college classroom behavior will lose points and may be  asked to leave the classroom. Examples of inappropriate behavior during class include disturbing others; talking when someone else is talking; sleeping, working on other class assignments during class, inappropriate touching of others and entering and leaving class excessively while in session.There may be times when students are allowed to use smart phones or computers; otherwise, these must be put away during class.
  • Copying/turning in the work of others is plagiarism. Turning in a research paper with portions copied directly from another source without quote marks and citations is plagiarism. Any instances of plagiarism or cheating will result in an 0 for the assignment. Any group work will be announced as group work; quizzes are not group work and must be done by oneself.
  • There may be R-rated content discussed or viewed in class, if it is relevant to the media we are studying.
  • Plan to submit assignments on time. Depending on where I am in the grading process, late assignments will either not be counted, or points will be lost.
CLASS INSURANCE Keep a backup copy of assignments you turn in, in case the one turned in is lost.
  • When sending an email to the professor, write JOUR 2 in the subject line so that you won't be confused with spam. I will generally respond within 24 hours. After that, feel free to send a reminder.
  • Check my blog for a quick review of each class.
  • Exchange email addresses and/or phone numbers with one or more buddies in the class for questions.
GRADING: Points and Grading Scale (out of 1,000):

100 points - Attendance/participation
300 points - Quizzes (15 quizzes - 20 points each)
100 points - Weekly reports.
100 points - Blog entries
200 points -   Annotated Bib / Research Paper / Presentation
100 points - Workbook
100 points - Final

950+ points = A+ / 900+ points = A / 850+ points = B+ / 800+ points = B -- 750+ points = C+  / 700+ points = C / 600+ points = D / <600 points = F

Assignment grades are based on accuracy, following directions, thoroughness and quality.

QUIZ MAKE UPS: Students are limited to making up 50 quiz points, unless they have pre-approval from the instructor. There will be two opportunities to make up quiz points, once after Chapter 8 and once after Chapter 15.

EXTRA CREDIT: Students are limited to earning 50 points extra credit unless they have pre-approval from the instructor. Absences or low points on assignments can be made up with extra credit work. Extra credit work should be turned in at the end of the quarter along with the completed Workbook. Extra credit projects are TBA.

ACCESS TO SITES WITH PASSWORDS
  • TURNITIN: http://www.turnitin.com Class ID:  TBA  Password: TBA
  • ACADEMIC SEARCH TOOLS: Go to De Anza's library website to access EbscoHost, Lexis/Nexis and other databases. (1) Select article databases, then the go to the database you want to use (2) When prompted, type in your 8 digit De Anza student ID number or the number on your DASB card. No passwords are needed on campus
BLOG REQUIREMENTS
Use blogger.com to set up your blog
  • Register with the site and choose a password, but you do not have to show your e-mail address on the blog.
  • Name the blog using the first letter of your last name, your first name and any other word. For example, Maria Garcia would be GMariaMedia
  • Blogs, unlike social media, e-mails or texting, should use full words, full sentences and high-level vocabulary. Vulgar language is OK, but only in context. For example, if you are commenting on the use of vulgar language on a TV show or in a movie, you may refer to specific words. However, if you are writing your reaction to something, do not punctuate your language with vulgar words. Keep the level of discourse high.
  • E-mail me your blog address. I will post links to all students' blogs on my own blog.
  • Comment on other students' blogs.
  • I will comment on each blog post. I will not post negative comments or grades, but I will record a grade that reflects how closely you responded to the prompt and how much effort I think you have put into the post.

 Updated Sunday, May 20, 2012 at 8:07:43 PM by Cecilia Deck - deckcecilia@deanza.edu
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