Introduction to Mass Communication Syllabus for 2023-2024
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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 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 .

Course

COMM-1307-004 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

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Introduction to Mass Communication, Media Literacy & Culture 12th ed., Stanley J. Baran. ISBN 1264305094 Copyright 2023 Publisher McGraw Hill

We are using the Connect version of this textbook, which is a digital version from McGraw Hill that will be used for assignments in Blackboad Ultra. Please read below for instructions on how to purchase and access our textbook.

How to Register for Connect through Blackboard Ultra:

 

Video link: https://www.mheducation.com/highered/support/connect/first-day-of-class/blackboard-ultra.html

 

Step 1:  Login into your campus Blackboard Ultra account using your personal login and password.

Step 2:  Then select COMM 1307.

Step 3:  Select the folder that contains your course assignments.

Step 4:  Select any McGraw-Hill Connect assignment link to start the registration process.

Step 5:  Enter your email address and click Begin. If you receive the message, you have a Connect Account but have forgotten your password, click Forgot Password. *Depending on your school, you might skip this step. That’s ok! Just continue the process from that step to the end. 

Step 6:  Create your McGraw-Hill Education account. It is recommended to use your school email address when creating an account. To receive text alerts, enter your mobile number. Agree to the Terms and Conditions and then click Continue.

Step 7:  You’ll see 3 registration options. Choose what works best for you.

• Enter your access code from the bookstore and click Redeem.

• Buy Online to purchase access

• Get 14-day Courtesy Access

Step 8:  Click Confirm. You are now registered.

Supplies

Internet access and note taking materials

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

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

.

· 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.

Artificial Intelligence is fascinating, and more of us will go down the rabbit hole of exploring it. College assignments are not the place to use it. There are ways to check essays for spelling and grammatical errors along with guidance for citing sources correctly in APA format, and you are encouraged to use them. I expect the work you submit to be yours - you're intelligent and capable of communicating your ideas at a collegiate level. Being authentic in your writing will serve you well in this course. 

“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:

Smart Book Chapter Reviews

Weekly reading assignments designated in the course calendar, and the Smart Book assignments for each chapter we cover in the course. You should complete the required reading assignments before discussions and major assignments. Smart Book assignments for each of the 8 weeks count for 2.5%, totalling 20% of your final course grade.

Multiple Choice Tests:

Two ‘open book’ online multiple choice 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 will only be able to take the online tests 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.  

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 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 no later than Thursdays by 11:59 p.m.  There are weeks when you have two discussions due - the first one is due by Tuesday at 11:59 p.m. Due dates are shown in the course calendar. To facilitate a discussion forum that is more engaging for all of us, I encourage you to submit your original post as early in the week as possible then return a day or two later and respond to your peers. For this course, a discussion post should involve a mention of something from the course material or that you've found on your own. A response should add depth to what your peer has posted. Credit for weekly discussions will be awarded as follows: 50% of grade for an original post that contains substance and 50% for multiple responses that expand the conversations your peers have begun. "I agree", no matter how eloquently worded, does not count as a response and no credit will be given for it. Do your part to make a better learning experience for all, and tell us why.

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 use socially 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 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.
 

The use of proper grammar and punctuation is required in essays as is submitting through Safe Assign when turning in your final assignment. Correct APA citation of sources is required. Purdue Owl website: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/in_text_citations_the_basics.html is helpful, as is a visit to the AC Writer's Corner.

 

 

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

Grading Criteria

 

Multiple Choice Tests (2 at 10% each)	20%
Weekly Smart Book Assignments (8 at 2.5% each)	20%
Media Critical Analysis Essay	15%
Media Cultural/Self Reflection Essay	15%
Discussions	30%
FINAL GRADE	100%

Attendance

This is a hybrid course. Even though we meet in person, students should plan to log into the course daily to complete readings, assignments and discussions.

 

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!

All Online Discussion Assignments are due on Thursdays by 11:59 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 (self-service), 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 on the fourth floor of Ware Student Center to access AC Connect.

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 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

AC offers many opportunities to explore the 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. In addition, AC mass media faculty can help you find paid positions in the local media industry.  Don’t just sit there—get involved!