Introduction to Mass Communication Syllabus for 2015-2016
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Instructor Information

Course Information

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (Student Service Center room 119, phone 371-5436) as soon as possible.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

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Administrative Drop Policy

N/A

Student Withdrawal Procedures

N/A

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The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

COMM-1307-001 Introduction to Mass Communication

Prerequisites

Course Description

Survey of basic content and structural elements of mass media and their functions and influences on society.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

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Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Introduction to Mass Communication, Media Literacy & Culture w/Connect Access, 8^th ed., Stanley J. Baran.

ISBN 0077507983

Please check with your instructor if you have an older edition of the textbook to make sure it will be acceptable.

 

Supplies

Internet access and note taking materials

Student Performance

After studying the material presented in this course, the student will:

· Obtain an understanding of the evolution, functions and operational characteristics of the Internet, newspapers, radio, television, magazines, motion pictures, the recording industry, book publishing, photography, gaming, advertising and public relations and other emerging mass media.

· Learn skills necessary for active participation in efforts to address problems facing media today.

· Gain an appreciation for the contributions of mass media and emerging media to a global/modern society and popular culture.

· Learn to critically evaluate the outcomes and responses to media stimuli.

· Learn to form and articulate positions as they relate to the field of mass media.

· Understand how popular culture is shaped, challenged, and directed by mass media and emerging media.

· Demonstrate an understanding of the First Amendment freedom of the press and freedom of speech concept and its implications in the United States.

· Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between government and mass media in the United States.

· Demonstrate an understanding of the role of ethics as it relates to the mass media professional and the media-consuming public.

· Acquire a fundamental understanding of media literacy and its importance in a contemporary world.

 

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

· Students will arrive for class on time.  Consistent late arrival will impact class participation grade.

· No substance or equipment in violation of the AC Student Code of Life will be permitted in communications courses.

· Turn off cell phones or put them on silent ring during class. No text messaging during class.

· Plagiarism is considered serious academic misconduct.  All written assignments presented in this class must be original work by the student.  Any student caught plagiarizing or cheating will receive a failing grade.  No form of scholastic dishonesty will be tolerated.  Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but not be limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.

 

“Cheating on a test” shall include:

* Copying from another student’s test paper.

* Using test materials not authorized by the person administering the test. -------Collaborating with or seeking aid from another student during a test without permission from the test administrator.

* Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, or soliciting, in whole or in part, the contents of an un-administered test.

* The unauthorized transporting or removal, in whole or in part, of the contents of the un-administered test.

* Substituting for another student, or permitting another student to substitute for one’s self, to take a test.

* Bribing another person to obtain an un-administered test or information about an un-administered test.

 

“Plagiarism” shall be defined as the appropriating, buying, receiving as a gift, or obtaining by any means another’s work and the unacknowledged submission or incorporation of it in one’s own written work.

“Collusion” shall be defined as the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work for fulfillment of course requirements.  
A complete statement regarding scholastic dishonesty can be found in the Student Code of Conduct in the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.

·  Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (SSC 119, 371-5436) as soon as possible.

·  No administrative withdrawals will be initiated by the instructor.  It is each student’s responsibility to drop a class or withdraw from school in the event he/she decides to quit attending class.

· Every student is required to comply with the policies published in the “Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.”

 

 

 

Grading Criteria

Assignments will consist of:

Reading Assignments

Reading assignments are designated in the course calendar.  You should complete the required reading assignments before class lectures and discussions

Online Tests:

Two ‘open book’ online tests will be given in this course. Each online test is designed to cover one-half of the course. Each online test is worth 10% of your final course grade. These tests will only be administered online and will not be available during normal class meetings.  You will be able to take the online tests outside of class time during the designated testing periods through AC Online using any computer with Internet access, such as a home computer or a computer in an AC computer lab.  You must take each exam during the time period scheduled for the exam. Because technological problems may arise, you are strongly encouraged to take the on-line tests during the beginning of each testing period.  This will allow time to correct computer problems and/or seek assistance before the test period ends.  Make-up tests will only be allowed if a student has a valid and compelling reason to have missed the scheduled testing period.

You may consult your notes and textbook while taking the online tests; however, the testing time is limited so effective preparation is essential for success.  Careful note-taking during lectures, highlighting and marking relevant portions of the textbook and reviewing the material prior to testing will be especially beneficial.  Students who miss NO MORE than two classes will be exempt from Online Test #2.

Essay Exams:

Two take-home essay exams will be given in this course.  Each essay exam is designed to cover one-half of the course.  Each essay exam is worth 10% of your final course grade.  Essays must be typed and turned in electronically using Blackboard. Essay exams must be submitted by the deadlines specified in the course calendar.

Discussion Postings

Weekly online homework will include discussion forum postings.  To receive full credit for a discussion forum, you must make one discussion forum posting and respond to at least two of your classmates’ postings.  Online discussions will constitute 20% of your final course grade.  Points for discussions are earned based on the quality of your responses and your compliance with the required number of postings and replies.  All Online Discussion Assignments are due on Thursdays by 11:30 p.m.  Due dates are shown in the course calendar.

Cultural/Self Reflection Essay

Students will write a clear and comprehensive essay analyzing whether the mass media reflects culture or shapes culture. Essays should discuss aesthetic principles, philosophy, ethics and values. Students will examine the role media plays in their lives and evaluate how the mass media has impacted their personal values and social experiences. The essay will then outline how the students will useasocially responsible decision making to use mass media effectively to enhance their own lives and serve their communities. Students will use quotes and paraphrases from the lecture notes and textbook to support their assertions and will demonstrate an in-depth grasp of the role and significance of the mass media.

Critical Analysis Essay

Students will write a two-page critical analysis of a piece of media, such as a book, television show or series, movie or record album. Students are encouraged to choose the AC common reader for this assignment. Students should discuss whether the piece of media achieves its purposes and what qualities or characteristics of the piece help the piece achieve its goals. Students should explain how the piece relates to and/or reflects the cultural and philosophical issues studied throughout the semester and should address how the piece contributes to the field of mass communication. Finally, the students should describe their personal responses to the chosen piece of media, its strengths and weaknesses and its overall impact.

Class Participation/Attendance

Class participation grades will be based on your attendance and willingness to share ideas and discuss material in class.  This will constitute 10% of your final course grade.  The instructor reserves the right to lower the final course grade in light of poor classroom attendance. More than two cuts can result in lowering the student’s final course grade by one complete letter grade. You are encouraged to ask questions and to participate in discussions.  Please respect your classmates and refrain from monopolizing class discussions. 

Extra Credit Review Questions

Review questions for each chapter will help students master the material and earn extra credit.  Researchers have found that overt responses to material result in quicker learning, longer retention and more efficient retrieval of information.  That means that when students do something active with the material—such as say it aloud, write it down, act it out or draw pictures to illustrate it—they will understand it more easily and remember it for a much longer time.  Review questions provided for each chapter provide a way of reacting overtly to –as opposed to passively reading the material.  Each chapter of questions completed earns ten points extra credit that will be added to the student’s final grade. 

To qualify for the extra credit, study questions must be handed in by the deadlines specified in the course calendar.  Review questions must be handed in using AC Online.  No credit will be given for partially complete question sets.

Grading Scale:

A= 90-100

B=80-89

C=70-79

D=60-69

F=59 and below 

Make-up Policy for Exams and Assignments

No student will be allowed to make up any tests or assignments without prior permission from the instructor. Make-ups will only be allowed if a student has a valid and compelling reason to have missed the scheduled test or assignment.

Grading Criteria

On-line Tests (2 at 10% each)	20%
Essay Exams (2 at 10% each)	20%
Media Critical Analysis Essay	15%
Media Cultural/Self Reflection Essay	15%
Online Homework/Discussions	20%
Participation/Attendance	10%
FINAL GRADE	100%
Extra Credit Study Questions

Attendance

Your attendance records will comprise the largest portion of your participation grade.  Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement; therefore, it is your responsibility to attend class. You must sign in on the class roster every time we meet.  Points will be deducted from your final course grade for more than two absences--regardless of the reason for the absence. No official warnings will be given when excessive absences jeopardize your grade.  If you miss a class, contact a classmate to obtain missed lecture notes.  Students who miss NO MORE than two classes will be exempt from Online Test #2.

 

Calendar

Additional Information

About Blackboard and AC Connect

Blackboard is the online course delivery system that you will use to turn in all written work, to participate in weekly discussion forums, to take exams and to monitor your grades.  You may access Blackboard from any computer with an Internet connection.

To access Blackboard, you must log into AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu/students/Pages/default.aspx.  You can also access AC Connect by clicking on the AC Connect link on the AC Website home page: www.actx.edu.  If this is the first time you have used AC Connect, click on the “First Time Users” link at the bottom of the page and follow the instructions to activate your electronic accounts.

You should get into the habit of logging into AC Connect every day to check email and
announcements.  The college and your individual instructors will use AC Connect to send important messages.  Once you log into AC Connect, you will see your Blackboard classes listed in the center of the page. 

Strategies for Success

1. Don’t miss class, arrive on time, stay awake, participate and take notes.

2. Stay on top of due dates and turn in all your assignments on time.

3. Complete as much extra credit as possible.

4. If you don’t fully understand an assignment or topic, ask your instructor.

5. Check out the online materials available through Blackboard for lecture notes and tips on how to complete your assignments.

If you have questions regarding assignments or due dates, do not hesitate to ask in person or email me immediately.

Remember, all assignments will be turned in via Blackboard.  Plan accordingly—technology problems are not a valid excuse for late work!

Don’t forget that students with no more than two absences will be exempt from Online Test 2.

All Online Discussion Assignments are due on Thursdays by 11:30 p.m.  To receive full credit for each discussion, you must  post a comment and then reply to at least two of your classmates’ comments.  Your goal should be to make your initial posts on Tuesdays.

For assistance using AC Connect and Blackboard, visit AC Connect Student Resources at http://www.actx.edu/ctl/index.php?module=article&id=222.  If you have further questions, you can contact  the Center for Teaching and Learning Student Help Center.  The purpose of the Student Help Center is to introduce and/or instruct students in the proper procedures to interact confidently with Blackboard and AC Connect components or other software required for course assignments.  The services below are available to students who are currently enrolled in academic or continuing education courses on a walk-in/appointment basis or by phone:

· Logging-in to AC Connect, WebAdvisor, myACcount and Google Apps

· Password resets

· How to use AC Connect and Blackboard

· Microsoft Office

· General computer/software questions

Hours and Location:
Monday – Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm (Library 205)
Monday – Thursday: 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm (Library Research Desk on 4th floor)
Friday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm (Library 205)
Phone: (806) 371-5992 or (806) 371-5932

Students may use the computers located in the Mass Media Lab in Parcells Hall 214 or in the Lynn Library to access AC Connect.  Donna Salter, Publications’ Assistant, can provide minor assistance between 8:30 a.m. and noon daily in the Mass Media Lab in Parcells Hall 214.

Students are encouraged to follow the Matney Mass Media department and The Ranger on social media and read the departmental newsletter, The Matney Mass Media Messenger, at http://acmassmedia.wordpress.com/ and the college newspaper ,The Ranger, at www.acranger.com.

Matney Mass Media Department on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ACmassmedia
Matney Mass Media Department on Twitter: https://twitter.com/acmassmedia
The Matney Mass Media Messenger http://acmassmedia.wordpress.com/
The Ranger: www.acranger.com
The Ranger on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/acrangerpaper
The Ranger on Twitter:https://twitter.com/acranger
The Ranger on Instagram: http://instagram.com/acranger

Department website: www.actx.edu/massmedia