Introduction to Mass Communication Syllabus for 2026-2027
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Instructor Information

Course Information

AI Statement

Collusion is defined as “the unauthorized collaboration with another person or by any other means, including artificial intelligence (AI) and computer translators, in preparing work for fulfillment of course requirements.” Using AI like (ChatGPT or Google Gemini) to create a document is considered colluding. The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence on specific assignments is at the discretion of the instructor.

Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Reporting

Amarillo College prohibits discrimination and harassment based on sex, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, under Title IX and Texas Education Code §51.253–255. Faculty and staff are mandatory reporters and must share any related concerns with the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@actx.edu. Reports and additional information are available at https://www.actx.edu/hr/title-ixtitle-ix. Confidential counseling and advocacy services are available through the Counseling Center and Advocacy & Resource Center.

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 Enrollment Center, Suite 700. 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:

Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.

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 .

Statement on State-Authorized Courses at Amarillo College

For-credit academic and workforce education courses offered at Amarillo College are limited to the course options available in the statewide inventory for two-year public institutions. Courses in the state-authorized lower-division Academic Course Guide Manual and Workforce Education Course Manual have specific descriptions that prescribe course content and may include specific student learning outcomes. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) maintains and regularly updates these manuals. Amarillo College faculty and leaders ensure that these courses are aligned with THECB guidelines and evaluated based on student performance outcomes. Students enrolled in these courses are expected to engage with and learn course content. According to the AC Board of Regents Policy Manual, "faculty members are entitled to academic freedom in the conduct of research and teaching and are tasked with the associated responsibilities" (DGC). Students are entitled to academic freedom in the classroom, as well, and faculty "must not attempt to force on students a personal viewpoint and must at all times allow diversity of opinion" (Amarillo College Academic Affairs Manual).

Course

COMM-1307-002 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

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

Hours

(3 sem hrs 3 lec )

Class Type

Dual Credit Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Introduction to Mass Communication by Stanley Baran, 2026 release.

The textbook and SmartBook activities are delivered through McGraw Hill Connect in Blackboard.

Students should access Connect through the COMM 1307 Blackboard course. McGraw Hill technical support is available at 1-800-331-5094 or through the student support options at mheducation.com/highered/support/student/connect.html.

Supplies

Students should have:

• Reliable access to a computer and internet connection several times each week

• A current web browser capable of running Blackboard and McGraw Hill Connect

• Microsoft Word, Google Docs or equivalent writing software

• PowerPoint, Google Slides, Canva or equivalent presentation software

• Note-taking supplies

Student Performance

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

1. Demonstrate understanding of the fundamental types, purposes and relevance of mass communication.

2. Demonstrate understanding of mass media in historic, economic, political and cultural realms.

3. Demonstrate understanding of the business aspects of mass media and the influence of commercialism.

4. Demonstrate understanding of evolving media technologies and relevant issues and trends.

5. Demonstrate understanding of mass media values, ethics, laws and industry guidelines.

6. Demonstrate understanding of globalization of mass media.

7. Demonstrate understanding of media effects on society.

Students 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

COMM 1307 is an asynchronous online course, but it is not self-paced. Students are expected to access Blackboard regularly, complete assigned readings and activities, participate in course discussions and submit work by the posted deadlines.

Students should plan several work sessions throughout each week. The weekly Blackboard overview will identify recommended checkpoints and required deadlines.

When communicating online, students should write professionally and respectfully. Questions are welcome. If an assignment is unclear or a technical problem affects your work, contact the instructor early enough to address the issue before the deadline.

All submitted work must represent the student's own work unless collaboration is specifically authorized. Students are required to comply with Amarillo College academic-integrity policies and the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.

Grading Criteria

Final Course Grade

• Two Objective Tests: 20%

• SmartBook Assignments: 20%

• Discussions: 30%

• Cultural and Self-Reflection Essay: 15%

• Critical Analysis Presentation: 15%

Total: 100%

Grading Scale

• A: 89.5-100

• B: 79.5-89.4

• C: 69.5-79.4

• D: 59.5-69.4

• F: Below 59.5

Assignment Expectations

SmartBook Assignments
Complete the assigned textbook reading before beginning related discussions and major assignments. All assigned SmartBook activities collectively make up 20% of the final course grade.

Objective Tests
Two open-book online objective tests will be given. Each test is worth 10% of the final course grade and covers approximately one-half of the course. Tests must be completed during the testing period listed in Blackboard. Because the tests are timed, students should prepare before beginning and should not rely on searching the textbook for every answer.

Discussions
To receive full credit for a discussion, submit one initial post of at least 250 words and respond to at least two classmates. Each response must contain at least 100 words. Initial posts should demonstrate understanding of the assigned material and make a meaningful personal connection through an experience, observation or specific example.

Use relevant information or terminology from the textbook to support your response. Quotations and paraphrased information must include appropriate APA-style in-text citations. Replies should add depth to the conversation; a response that only states agreement will not receive full credit.

Cultural and Self-Reflection Essay
Students will write a clear and comprehensive essay analyzing whether mass media reflects culture or shapes it. The essay will examine how media has influenced the student's values and experiences and explain how the student can use media responsibly to benefit their life or community.

Students will support their ideas with quotations or paraphrased material from course resources, use APA citations and submit the final essay through SafeAssign.

Critical Analysis Presentation
Students will create a clear, organized and visually engaging presentation that uses rhetorical analysis to examine one specific piece of media, such as a book, television series, film, album, video game, podcast or advertising campaign.

Students will analyze the media's purpose, intended audience and central message. They will examine how its content and presentation influence the audience and evaluate its cultural, social or ethical significance.

Students will create 10 to 18 content slides using PowerPoint, Google Slides, Canva or an equivalent platform. Sources must be cited within the presentation and included on a final References slide in APA format. Students will submit the presentation slides but will not be required to record or deliver the presentation.

Attendance

COMM 1307 is an asynchronous online dual credit course.

Regular participation is demonstrated by accessing Blackboard, completing assigned readings and activities, participating in course discussions and submitting required work by the posted deadlines.

This course is asynchronous, but it is not self-paced. Students should plan several work sessions throughout each week and review Blackboard regularly for announcements, weekly overviews, assignments and deadlines.

Students who experience technical problems, questions about an assignment or another issue affecting participation should contact the instructor through Blackboard Messages as early as possible.

Calendar

Additional Information

Course Purpose

COMM 1307 introduces students to the major forms, industries, functions and effects of mass communication.

Students will examine how media develops, how media industries operate, how technology changes communication, and how media influences individuals, culture and society.

The course is designed to help students become more informed and critical consumers of media while developing a stronger understanding of how media organizations create and distribute content.

Communication Expectations

Send individual course questions through Blackboard Messages. This keeps course communication together and makes it easier to track questions and responses.

When communicating online, write professionally and respectfully.

Questions are welcome. If an assignment is unclear or a technical problem affects your work, contact the instructor early enough for the issue to be addressed before the deadline.

Weekly Course Routine

Students should plan several work sessions throughout each week.

The weekly Blackboard overview will identify:

• Required readings

• SmartBook activities

• Discussion assignments

• Major assignments

• Recommended checkpoints

• Required deadlines

This course is asynchronous, but students are expected to remain engaged with the course throughout the week rather than completing all work at one time.

Artificial Intelligence Policy

Amarillo College's official AI statement applies to this course.

The goal of the course-specific guidance below is to help students understand how AI may be used responsibly without replacing the learning required in COMM 1307.

Think of AI as a tool. It may help support your work, but it cannot take responsibility for what you submit.

AI May Be Used For

AI and other writing-support tools may be used to:

• Check spelling, grammar and punctuation in work you have already written

• Identify areas where your writing may be unclear

• Suggest questions you may want to consider during revision

• Help you think through an idea without replacing your own analysis

• Complete an activity when the assignment instructions specifically permit AI use

Students remain responsible for reviewing all suggestions and for the accuracy, meaning and originality of the final work.

AI May Not Be Used For

AI may not:

• Write or substantially rewrite work submitted for credit

• Complete discussion posts or replies for the student

• Write the Cultural and Self-Reflection Essay

• Create the Critical Analysis Presentation for the student

• Create or alter quotations, sources, interviews, facts or statistics

• Replace assigned reading, research or original analysis

• Present invented information as factual information

If an assignment permits another use of AI, the assignment instructions will explain what is allowed.

If you are unsure whether a use is permitted, send a Blackboard Message before submitting the assignment.

Academic Integrity

Students are responsible for submitting original work and accurately representing information obtained from course materials and outside sources.

Quotations and paraphrased information must be appropriately cited when required.

Unauthorized AI-generated work, plagiarism, fabrication or other forms of academic dishonesty may be addressed under Amarillo College academic-integrity policies.

Discussions

Discussions are intended to help students connect course concepts with media they encounter in everyday life.

Strong discussion work should:

• Demonstrate understanding of the assigned material

• Use relevant course terminology or information

• Make a meaningful connection through an experience, observation or specific example

• Respond thoughtfully to classmates

• Add depth to the conversation rather than simply stating agreement

Major Assignments

The Cultural and Self-Reflection Essay asks students to consider the relationship between media and culture and examine how media has influenced their own values and experiences.

The Critical Analysis Presentation asks students to examine one specific media product and analyze its purpose, audience, message and cultural, social or ethical significance.

Both assignments are intended to move beyond simple summary and demonstrate critical thinking about mass communication.