Mass Media & Society
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COM 150-701 Tu: 7-9.50pm |
Fall 2006 |
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Instructor: Nick Linardopoulos |
Voice: 215-895-6252/267-259-0687 |
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Classroom: LeBow 134 |
Office Hours: Tu: 5-6.30, Th: 4-5.30, Creese Cafe |
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Office: 3001 Market Street |
E-mail: nick.linardopoulos@drexel.edu |
Course Description
This course is an introduction to the role that contemporary media play in todayıs world. Specifically, after a brief discussion of key media terms we will examine the current media landscape as well as the impact and relevance of specific outlets (television, radio, new media etc). In the second part of the course we will look at some controversial issues associated with the world of the media (e.g. media regulation, media ethics etc). During the course we will also briefly discuss a few of the key media theories that have been developed in the research literature.
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Course
Objectives
Texts and Required Materials
There are two required texts for the course:
Alexander A. & Hanson J. (eds.). Taking Sides:
Clashing Views on Controversial Issues in Mass Media and Society. (9th edition) McGraw-Hill, United States: 2006. ISBN:
00 73515027
Baran, S. Introduction to Mass Communication:
Media-Literacy and Culture (4th
edition). McGraw-Hill, United States: 2007. ISBN: 00
73281239
There will be additional course materials posted on WebCT. The course materials
at WebCT will not exceed 100 pages. It is imperative that you familiarize
yourselves with WebCT as the supplemental materials, course notes as well as
other pertinent course information will be posted online.
We will also watch a variety of speeches and documentaries. You
are responsible for all video material covered in class.
Assignments and Evaluation
There are four evaluation components for the course:
-Quizzes-30%: Yes, I know, nobody likes them and this is
supposed to be a fun course after all. However, they are a necessity to ensure
that you complete the required readings and that you come to class. We will
have 5 quizzes during the term. Although you will not know the exact date that
a quiz will be given, you will be tested on the material that we covered in the
preceding session. This method will, in addition to giving you extra time to
complete the readings, enable you to resolve any possible questions before the
quiz. To make it even more attractive, I will only count your four best scores
for the calculation of your grade for this component (assuming of course you
take all five of them!) All of the quizzes will consist of multiple choice/true
false questions. If you are absent on a day that the quiz is given, or you
arrive after the quiz has been administered, you will, regrettably, receive the
grade of zero for that quiz.
--Expository Essays -40%. There will be five expository essays throughout the term. Those essays will ask you to briefly discuss your position, a habit or your general feelings regarding a media issue. The objective of this assignment is to enable you to clearly articulate your position towards the media world and make you aware of the mediaıs effect in todayıs society. Those essays will form the basis of our discussions. While there are no right and wrong answers, you will be evaluated on how well you have articulated your opinions and feelings. The maximum page length is two (2) block formatted pages (12pt font, Times New Roman).
--Media Project and Presentation30%. You will have to submit a 5-7 page paper on any aspect of mediaıs role in the society. I will give you suggested topics on the second session You may choose one of those topics or select your own. A proposal indicating your action plan (argument, sources etc) will be due by the end of the fifth week. You will have to present your project in class during weeks 8,9 or 10.
Watch out during each unit for a detailed description of each upcoming assignment.
Special Note: In order to pass the course you must
complete all of the required projects described above.
The written components of the above assignments must be submitted in hard copies during the designated class day unless the parameters of the assignment require otherwise. I do not accept assignments via e-mail unless you have received permission to do so by me in writing.
Grading
As you can imagine the guidelines and requirements for the above projects differ. What stays the same is the grading scale. I will give you specific grading guidelines in class for each project.
I use standard letter grades for the evaluation of all of the assignments
described above with pluses and minuses. For the computation of your final grade I assign GPA values
based on the following scale indicated by a *. Those values correspond to the
GPA scale used by Drexel University (note the new values and grades
effective Fall 2006)
A+ 4.00
A
4.00*
A- 3.67*
B+ 3.33*
B 3.00*
B- 2.67*
C+ 2.33*
C 2.00*
C- 1.67
D+ 1.33
D 1.00*
F 0.00*
Your final grade will be the corresponding letter grade of the sum of the assignments' weighted GPA value. For example if your total is a 3.67 you will receive an A- in the course.
Course Policies
Attendance & Participation: I do
not assign marks simply for people showing up in class. If you must miss class
please let me know in advance of your absence. You are responsible
for the material covered during your absence. Be forewarned that excessive absence
will affect the grade. The fast paced nature of the quarter system and the
nature of a course that only meets once a week require you to be present at
every session. If you miss more than 2 sessions you will fail the
class. Overall, the effort you put into
this course will be noticed and taken into consideration especially if your
grade is borderline (i.e. extra points based on attendance and participation). The
successful completion of the course is contingent upon your active involvement.
If you do not attend the class, you can not get involved. While I do not expect
you to be media experts or perfect communicators, I do expect you to try and do
the required readings and other work. If you are having a
personal or academic nature difficulty that prevents you from completing
required work it is your responsibility to inform the course instructor as soon
as the issue emerges.
Punctuality and In-Class Behavior:
It is crucial that you arrive in class on time. Late arrivals are disruptive to
the instructor and to your fellow classmates. You may bring food and/or non
alcoholic drinks to class provided that
you consume both quietly.
Extensions and Incompletes: You must hand in all required projects and present on the assigned days. If you miss your presentation date, you will be assigned the grade of 0 for that component of the media project you can provide documentation of a medical or family emergency (i.e. death of an immediate relative). Late assignments may be accepted and penalized solely at my discretion. A written explanation is required in all cases of late work. However, I will not accept any assignments past the last day of class!!
Academic Honesty
It is assumed that any work you submit for this course is your own. Any attempt to represent someone else's work as your own will be considered plagiarism--a form of academic misconduct. For more clarification on plagiarism, see Drexel's Student Handbook, especially pages 40-42.
Be forewarned that all plagiarism cases will be reported to your academic
Chair and subsequently to Drexelıs Judicial Affairs. As per the academic policy
of the University, sanctions for a first offense include (at the instructorıs
discretion, depending on the severity of the offense):
-Reduction of the course grade
-A failure for the assignment or exam
-Failure for the course with inability to withdraw
-Other action deemed appropriate (including but not limited to
requirement to re-complete the assignment, complete an additional assignment
etc)
Violations beyond the first offense are subject to the sanctions above as
well as disciplinary action imposed through the Universityıs judicial process
(Office of Judicial Affairs).These sanctions may include suspension or
expulsion from the University.
Submitting assignments previously submitted in other classes constitutes cheating. In short, for com 150-701, you may not under any circumstances whatsoever submit work done in other classes for which credit was previously received or credit is currently pending.
Ignorance is not an acceptable excuse. If in any doubt please talk to me.
Please remember that academic honesty regulations apply equally to
written and oral work. Please note that the media project will have to be
submitted online to confirm the originality of your work through the turnitin
database.
Plagiarism and cheating will not be tolerated.
Prerequisites and Recommended Resources
There are no prerequisites for the course. Access to media outlets is strongly recommended.
Course Drop Policy:
Dropping a course results in the
course being removed from the studentıs academic record. All students
enrolled in a 6 week course may drop by 11 p.m. on the first day of class
by using BannerWeb for students. No approval is required for upper class
students. Freshmen must meet with their academic adviser before dropping a
course.
Course Withdrawal Policy:
Withdrawing from a course results in a ³W² appearing on the studentıs academic record and financial responsibility incurring in accordance with the published refund schedule. Before withdrawing from a course, students should, as a courtesy, consult with the instructor. Students enrolled in a 6 week accelerated course may withdraw before the end of the 3rd week of the quarter. Student must obtain their adviserıs authorization before withdrawing. Such authorization must be obtained in writing and in person by filling in the corresponding form. In the absence of her/his adviser, the student must obtain the authorization from the Manager of Goodwin Academic Advising Center.
Welcome to my Course!
Course Schedule (please note that the schedule may change
to reflect particular situations as they arise. Of course, you will be promptly
notified of any changes)
|
Session |
Date |
Topic |
Textbook Read. |
Assignment |
|
1 |
9/26 |
Introduction to the Course Mass Communication Defined |
Baran: Ch.1 Alexander: Issue 1 |
Learners Profile |
|
2 |
10/3 |
The Media Business |
Baran: Ch.15 Alexander: Issue 14 & 16 |
Essay #1 Media Project Topic Distributed |
|
3 |
10/10 |
Print Media |
Baran: Ch. 2-4 |
Essay #2 |
|
4 |
10/17 |
Broadcast Media |
Baran: Ch. 6,7,8 |
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|
5 |
10/24 |
Film and Music |
Baran: Ch. 5 |
Media Project Proposal |
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6 |
10/31 |
Internet and Video Games |
Baran: Ch. 9,10 Alexander: 4, 18 |
Essay #3 |
|
7 |
11/7 |
Media Issues Part I Advertising and Public Relations |
Baran: Ch.11,12 Alexander: Issue 5&6 |
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|
8 |
11/14 |
Media Issues Part II Media Politics and Regulation |
Baran: Ch. 14 Alexander: Issue 7,9,10 |
Presentations Essay #4 |
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9 |
11/21 |
Media Ethics |
Baran: Ch.13 Alexander: Issue 11-13,17 |
Presentations |
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10 |
11/28 |
Media and Society Re-considered |
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Presentations Essay #5 |
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11 |
12/5 |
Wrap-up, End of Term Celebration |
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Final Paper |