Frederick Community College

 

CMM101-ONL1 Introduction to the Electronic Media

 

Summer 2011

 

Class begins: 6/6/11

Class ends: 8/1/11

Last Day to Withdraw: 7/13/11

 

Instructor Information:

 

 

Name:   Dr. Richard Fulton

Office:  L101-I

E-mail:  rfulton@frederick.edu

Phone Number: 301.846.2547

Contact Hours:  Email and by appointment for in-person meeting

Campus Mail Box #: 247

           

Course Information:

 

Credits:  3

On-campus Meetings:  none

On-campus Exams:  One

Prerequisites:  EN50A & EN52

Co-requisites:  none

 

Course Description:

 

Surveys the function and effects of the electronic mass media. Emphasis will be placed on researching and analyzing the history of various electronic media including television and radio. Government regulations, audience measurement, advertising and careers in broadcasting will also be covered.

 

Core Learning Outcomes:

 

Students completing this course will be able to:

1.     Be able to write and speak effective, organized, clear and grammatically correct English when using research methods to analyze media issues.

2.     Be able to demonstrate an understanding of the significance of various media within their historical and cultural contexts.

3.     Use the technology of a changing world by describing the basic technical facets of the various media and by evaluating their own media behavior.

4.     Be able to research, analyze, compare, synthesize and draw inferences from various media pertaining to political, legal, economic and social issues.

5.     Be able to evaluate electronic media programming by differentiating among facts, opinions, and inferences and be able to make judgments and predictions concerning the future of media.

 

 Instructional Methods:

 

Methods of instruction will include mini lessons, group discussion, group activities, use of multi-media materials, and group presentations.

 

Text for Course: REQUIRED

 

The Media of Mass Communication, 9th Edition by John Vivian (ISBN: 9780205521104)

 

 

 How this course is organized:

 

This is not a self-paced course. Assignments are posted each week at 12 a.m. on Monday. During the week students will be required to complete textbook readings and participate in discussion forums. Additionally, there are projects that will require students to create a finished product, individually and in a group. Finally, one exam will be scheduled in the FCC testing center on-campus. Due dates for assignments are spread throughout the week.

                                                    

Progress Report:

 

By the end of the third week of the semester, you will have an opportunity to evaluate your progress in this course and decide if you need to make any adjustments (additional study, tutoring, conference with instructor) to assure your success in this course. Students may check the status of their grades at anytime by going to the "Grades" section of the course site and selecting "View Grades." Students should check their course progress during Week 3. By that time, your first project should be graded, and you should receive feedback from the instructor regarding how you are doing on the discussion forums.

 

Evaluation Methods:

  

Tests / Papers / Projects / Participation

Point Value

Final Grade Scale

Scavenger Hunt: Students will complete a scavenger hunt to get acquainted with the course site.

Homework: Students will complete some homework assignments relevant to course topics.

Exam: There is one exam comprised of essay and objective questions.

Discussion Board: Most weeks there are required class discussions in the Discussion Board section of the course site.

Journal I Project: Students will observe and analyze their use of the media.  

Journal II Project: The fun continues later in the semester.

Media Issues Project: Students will work in groups to analyze theories and concepts from the course as they apply to contemporary issues in the media.

10 points

 

 

50 points

 

 

100 points

 

140 points

 

 

25 points

 

75 points

 

100 points

Total Points: 500

450 (90%) to 500 = A
400 (80%) to 449 = B
350 (70%) to 399 = C
300 (60%) to 349 = D
299 and below     = F

If the graded performance for online assignments differs significantly from the grade average for proctored assignments, the instructor reserves the right to administer additional tests.

 


 

Student Services

 

A variety of services are available to assist students in succeeding at FCC. Students can learn more about these services by visiting the Student Services web page: http://www.frederick.edu/student_services/index.aspx.

Students with disabilities who are in need of accommodations or who have questions related to disabilities services should contact the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) office at 301-846-2408. Students can learn more about these services by visiting the Services for Students with Disabilities web page: http://www.frederick.edu/student_services/disability.aspx.

 

 Participation Policy:

 

 

To maintain the highest quality of academic work, students are expected to participate fully in all course activities. Since this is an online course with little lecture, you should plan on spending at least 6 hours a week on this course.

To complete all assignments and meet the posted deadlines, students will need to visit the Blackboard site at least three times each week. The site should be checked on Monday to view the required activities. Students must then visit the site at least twice later in the week to participate in discussion forums as designated in the forum instructions.

The instructor will use tracking features throughout the semester to monitor student use of, and visits to, the course Blackboard site.

In case of serious illness, emergency, religious holidays, or participation in official college functions, students remain responsible for completing the course requirements.

Late assignments will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis; however no late homework or discussion postings will be accepted. Contact the instructor right away if an emergency occurs. Assignments that are more than one week late will not be accepted.

 

 

 Email Policy:

 

 

With the exception of MOL students, all FCC students will receive and are expected to use their FCC email address for correspondence with faculty and staff at the college. Students can establish and access their FCC email accounts at https://myfcc.frederick.edu. Email is an instructional tool essential to student-instructor and student-student communication. In the Blackboard environment by default, your email address is available to all students in this course.

However, students are permitted to use email addresses of other students in this course only for the purpose and the duration of this course.

The instructor will respond to regular student email inquiries (grades, posted assignments, and tests excluded) within the time frame of 18-24 hours. If an emergency changes the response time, an Announcement will be posted on the course Blackboard site.

 

Academic Integrity:

 

Work in this course is subject to the provisions of the FCC Code of Academic Integrity. Plagiarism in any form will not be tolerated. As a student, it is your job to practice academic honesty at ALL times.  Make sure that all sources, particularly Internet sources, get proper credit for quotations, paraphrases, and ideas. More information about this and the Student Conduct Code are available at http://www.frederick.edu/student_services/studentpolicies.aspx

You must send your Academic Integrity Pledge to the instructor. The form is available at http://courses.frederick.edu/_utilities/regform.htm

 


Topical Outline

 

WEEK

SUBJECT

CONTENT

Week 1

 

Introduction

Media Literacy

Media Technology

Books

Magazines

 

 

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 5

Week 2

Newspapers

Journalism/News

 

Chapter 4

Chapter 11

Week 3

 

Recordings

Movies

Radio

 

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Week 4

 

Television

Entertainment

Chapter 9

Chapter 14

Week 5

Media Research

On-campus Proctored Exam

 

Chapter 15

 

Week 6

Ethics and the Mass Media

 

Last day to withdraw is July 13th

 

Chapter 20

 

Week 7

Mass Media Effects

Global Mass Media

 

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Week 8

Final Projects

                   

 

 

 

NOTE: Your instructor reserves the right to make changes to this outline as needed. Any changes to the schedule will be posted on the course site and you will be responsible for noting them. 

 

 

Enjoy the Rest of your Summer!