Frederick Community College

 

CMM101-ONL2 Introduction to the Electronic Media

 

Spring 2011

 

Class begins:  1/24/11

Class ends:  5/13/11

Last Day to Withdraw: 4/9/11

 

Instructor Information:

 

 

Name:   Dr. Rhonda Fulton

Phone Number:  You may leave a message for me at 301-846-2512.

E-mail:  rhfulton@frederick.edu

Campus Mailbox #: 638

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

 

           

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 individual 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. There will also be projects that will require students to work individually and together in order to create a finished product or journal. 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 sixth 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 6. By that time, your first project should be graded, and feedback from the instructor regarding how you are doing on the discussion forums and quizzes should be given.

 

Evaluation Methods:

  

Tests / Papers / Projects / Participation

Point Value

Final Grade Scale

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

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

Journal I Project: You will observe and analyze your 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.

     100 points                        

 

     185 points

 

 

      25 points

 

      75 points

 

    100 points

437 (90%) to 485 = A
388 (80%) to 436 = B
340 (70%) to 387 = C
291 (60%) to 339 = D
290 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: Assignments not submitted on time will be penalized 10% if submitted later the same day and 10% each additional calendar day. Assignments that are more than one week late will not be accepted. No late quizzes or discussion postings will be accepted.

Emergencies will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Contact the instructor right away if an emergency occurs.

 

 

 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 can be expected to respond to regular student email inquiries (grades, posted assignments, and tests excluded) within the time frame of 24 to 48 hours.

 

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

Mass Media Literacy

Media Technology

 

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Week 2

 

Books

Magazines

Chapter 3

Chapter 5

Week 3

 

Newspapers

News

Chapter 4   

Chapter 11

Week 4

 

Radio

Media Research

Chapter 8

Chapter 15

Week 5

Recordings

Motion Pictures

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Week 6

Television

Chapter  9

Week 7

Public Relations

Advertising

Chapter 12 

Chapter 13

Week 8

Entertainment

Chapter 14

Week 9

Ethics

Chapter 20

Week 10

Exam

 

Week 11

Media Issues Projects

 

Week 12

Media Issues Projects

 

Week 13

Internet

Chapter 10

Week 14

Global Mass Media

Chapter 17

Week 15

Mass-Media Effects

Wrap-Up and Review

Chapter 16

 

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. 

 

  Have a Great Summer!