Introduction to Mass Communication Syllabus for 2019-2020
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Instructor Information

Course Information

COVID-19 Protocols

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Student Service Center office 112. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement

Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.

If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

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

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

The Tutoring for Success policy applies to any student whose grade or performance in the course falls below a departmentally determined minimum threshold. In either of those cases, the instructor will direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. Under this policy, the instructor will follow specific departmental guidelines governing the use, duration, and grade component of the tutoring need.

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

Privacy Statement

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 ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

TEXTBOOK:

Intro To Mass Communication (Loose-Leaf) Baran ISBN 1259924971 Copyright 19 Publisher Mcg Edition 10 Binding Looseleaf or
Intro To Mass Communication 9^{th edition} Stanley J.BaranISBN 9781259376504

Older editions of the textbook may be acceptable.  Please check with your instructor if you have questions.

 

Supplies

To succeed in this class you will need access to a computer with a reliable Internet connection.

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. 

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:
Monday – Thursday: 8:00 am - 9:00 pm
Friday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Phone:(806) 371-5992 or (806) 371-5932
Location:Washington Street Campus, Library, Room 111

 

 

Student Performance

OBJECTIVES: This course serves as the introductory course in mass communication. The course includes
examination of the history, purpose, models, methods of operation, governmental relationship and interrelationships of the various media. The course will provide the student with an understanding of the scope, structure, characteristics, functions and support of mass communication in modern society.

Student Performance/Learning Outcomes

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

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.

Failure to complete assignments/activities prior to June 12 will flag a student in an online class as non-attending and will lead to an administrative withdrawal from the class. After June 12, It is each student’s responsibility to drop a class or withdraw from school in the event he/she decides to quit attending class. In order to initiate a withdrawal, students must contact their instructor.

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

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%
Discussions	30%
FINAL GRADE	100%
Extra Credit Study Questions (14 chapters at 10 pts. per chapter)	Up to 140 extra points!

Attendance

This class is taught entirely online.  Students should plan to log into the course daily to complete readings, assignments and discussions.

Calendar

Additional Information

Exams:

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.   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 when reading lessons, highlighting and marking relevant portions of the textbook and reviewing the material prior to testing will be especially beneficial. 

Essay Exams:

Two  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. Submit attachments as Word or text files.

Essay exams must be submitted by the deadlines specified in the course calendar. 

Discussion Forum 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 30% 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 by 11:59 p.m.  Due dates are shown in the course calendar.

· To earn points for your discussion postings, you must respond to the discussion assignments with quality comments that demonstrate you have completed the textbook readings and have given significant thought to the questions.  Postings should be at least one paragraph long (about 4-5 sentences or approximately 150-250 words.)

· You MUST post your answer to the correct forum by the deadline specified in the course calendar.

· You are responsible for insuring that your discussion postings and replies have posted properly to the Discussion Forums. You should return to the Discussion Forum later in the day that you posted to make sure your posts have been added to the thread.

· Help out your fellow classmates and respond to the original question early in the week so everyone will have something to comment on and discuss.

· An "I agree" or "great answer" will NOT earn points. Replies must have sufficient detail to merit credit. At the same time, quantity is not a substitute for quality—stay focused!

· You must focus on the specific topic of the discussion as assigned. Do not introduce irrelevant subjects.

· "Flaming" is posting abusive or insulting messages. Any student who engages in flaming in a discussion will receive 0 points on the first offense and will be required to leave the course on the second offense.

· Controlling behavior is not permitted. Controlling behavior includes, but is not limited to, attempts to dominate a discussion by posting excessively, intentionally changing the discussion topic or exhibiting an inappropriate or argumentative attitude. Violators will be asked to leave the discussion and a grade of 0 points will be awarded.

· Do not type in all capital letters. IT IS LIKE SHOUTING!

· Never copy someone else's writing without permission or citation. Failing to credit your sources within emails or discussions is a form of plagiarism, which is grounds for receiving a 0 on the assignment.

Students required to leave a discussion will be notified of this consequence in a private email.

Cultural/Self Reflection Essay

Students will write a clear and comprehensive essay analyzing whether the mass media reflects culture or shapes culture and examining 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 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.

Reading Assignments

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

Opportunities

AC offers many opportunities to explore the field of mass media.  Ask your instructor how you can become a D.J. on FM-90, can write for the College newspaper and can join the crew shooting live football video this fall.  Don’t miss your chance to take photos for the College magazine or work as a videographer, graphic artist or web designer for the College’s news website. You do not have to be a Mass Media major to work for AC Student Media. In addition, AC Mass Media faculty can help you find paid positions in the local media industry.  Don’t just sit there—get involved!