J12 Syllabus Fall 2014

Journalism 12 – Mass Media and Society (3 units)

Course Syllabus

Instructor: Tom Amano-Tompkins                                                  Term: Fall 2014

Section: 6839 – MW 7:55 am - 9:20 am                                                      Location: H 111 

Email: tomp99@earthlink.net (best way to communicate with me outside of class!).

Office hours:

Course Catalog Description:

This course examines the past and current influences on American society of books, newspapers, magazines, movies, radio, television, recordings, and the World Wide Web. With a focus on critical thinking skills, students gain experience in reading and writing persuasive and argumentative essays about problems facing the mass media. Students also learn the history of the eight mass media as well as analyze and evaluate the functions, the responsibilities, the regulations, and the ethics involved in the mass media industry.

Prerequisite: Eligibility for English 1A.

Course Objectives:

·       Identify the eight mass media in American society.

·       Summarize the history of each of the eight mass media.

·       Analyze and evaluate the major theories on how the mass media influence society.

·       Examine and assess the role advertising plays in the mass media.

·       Appraise and measure the ethics and the laws governing the mass media in American Society

·       Distinguish the differences among and the benefits of the mass media.

·       Analyze and evaluate the role of the government in American mass media.

·       Categorize and estimate the role of public relations specialists, advocacy groups, talk radio hosts, the nightly news, and the World Wide Web in the mass media.

·       Distinguish the four major diversity groups and the role each plays in the mass media.

·       Analyze and evaluate how the mass media have changed American society over the years and the role they play in defining and shaping our culture.

·       Analyze and evaluate the impact each of the mass media has had on American culture, dress, politics, law, morals, and government.

·       Compare and contrast the extent and type of influence of each of the mass media on American Society.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Identify issues and problems facing mass media and discuss their impact on society in a 200-word in-class essay question answer.
2. Identify the eight major mass media serving the U.S.
3. Write a 2,000-word research paper that focuses on a relevant issue or major figure in the mass media and analyzes its impact on American society.

ADA Accommodations Statement:
It is the policy of the El Camino Community College District to encourage full inclusion of people with disabilities in all programs and services. Students with disabilities who believe they may need accommodations in this class should contact the campus Special Resource Center (310-660-3295), as soon as possible. This will ensure that students are able to fully participate.

Required Texts: (available at the campus bookstore)

The Media of Mass Communication, 11^th edition, by John Vivian – ISBN 0205029582

Bring your book, a notebook (or notebook paper), and a pen to every class meeting. To complete some assignments, you will need access to the Internet and to a computer word processor.

Students who succeed in Journalism 12 usually choose to:                  **Read carefully!**

• Make a serious commitment to succeeding in this class.
• Come to class on time and prepared.
• Get the required texts as soon as possible.
• Do all the assignments, including readings, and keep up with the class schedule.
• Participate in class discussions and activities.
• Refrain from using their cell phones during class.
• Let me know immediately if they experience a problem with the class or if other areas of their lives seriously interfere with their ability to do their class work.
• Seek out all legitimate help with their course work, if they need it, including the Writing Center, Learning Resources Center, Special Resources Center, campus librarians, their textbooks, and me.

·       Maintain academic integrity by doing their own work. They do not plagiarize; they do not cheat. (See box on plagiarism on next page.)

• Treat their classmates and instructor with respect and consideration.
• Recognize that real learning is difficult – it involves making mistakes and taking risks.

If you are not willing to make these choices, you are not likely to succeed in this class!

Academic Honesty

El Camino College places a high value on the integrity of its student scholars.  When an instructor determines that there is evidence of dishonesty in any academic work (including, but not limited to cheating, plagiarism, or theft of exam materials), disciplinary action appropriate to the misconduct as defined in BP 5500 may be taken.  A failing grade on an assignment in which academic dishonesty has occurred and suspension from class are among the disciplinary actions for academic dishonesty (AP 5520).  Students with any questions about the Academic Honesty or discipline policies are encouraged to speak with their instructor in advance.

Plagiarism can mean copying, word for word, all or part of something someone else has written and turning it in with your name on it. Plagiarism also includes using your own words to express someone else’s ideas without crediting the source of those ideas.

Plagiarism is a very serious form of academic misconduct. It’s both lying and stealing, and it’s a waste of time for students and teachers. College and departmental policy on plagiarism will be strictly enforced: Any student caught plagiarizing will automatically receive a zero for that assignment, with no possibility of making it up, and may be subject to a formal reprimand and/or suspension.

Cite your sources! Please retain all notes and drafts of your papers until grading for the course is completed.

Attendance: Students are expected to attend every class, on time and for the entire class period. If you miss more than three classes, you may be dropped from the class. If you miss four classes – a week of class time – expect to be dropped. Partial attendance of a class, such as arriving late or leaving early will be counted as one half an absence. Excessive absences and repeatedly arriving late and/or leaving early will result in a reduction of participation points. If you are absent two days in a row, I will assume you intend to drop the class

                          GRADING: Your final grade will be based on how many points you earn out of a possible total of 450. Here’s the breakdown:

A = 450 to 405               C = 359 to 315               F = 269 or fewer

B = 404 to 360                D = 314 to 270

1. Tests: (200 total points) You’ll take two tests this semester. Each is worth up to 100 points and contains a mix of true/false, multiple choice and essay questions. Make-up exams will not be offered for any reason.

2. Homework: (100 total points) Five homework projects, each one worth up to 20 points, will be assigned during the term. Late work is not accepted for any reason. Homework assignments must be turned in during class time on the due date; Homework not delivered on time in person during class time will not be accepted. That said, if you know in advance that you will not be in class when work is due, contact me ahead of time and we will come to a mutually agreeable solution. But you must make a prior arrangement with me. All homework must be formatted correctly. See formatting guidelines below. 

3. Research Paper: (100 points) A big part of this class is the research paper; it makes up a significant part of your grade. Be sure and budget the time you’ll need. You will be able to choose your paper topic from a list of topics that I will hand out. All rules on delivery, deadline, formatting and plagiarism apply. If you’ve never written a research paper before, it’s up to you to stay on track. Don’t try to wing it. There is a specific structure, a method and a style that govern research paper writing. If you’re not sure or have never written a research paper before, come see me during office hours so I can help get you on the right path. I will be available to help you with your research papers until 48 hours before the due date. After that deadline, you’re on your own. Research papers will be turned in using TurnItIn.com. Instructions on how to do that will be given on research paper day (see outline of classes below). Only papers turned in through TurnItIn.com will be graded.

             4. Class Participation: (50 points) Class participation is worth up to 50 points. You earn these points by doing what any committed student does, such as showing up on time, not missing class, completing all assignments, asking questions, taking notes, keeping up with the work, participating in discussion, being respectful of others, not using media in class, adhering to class and college policies, consulting the syllabus, being proactive, taking responsibility for one’s education, etc. Also, I may give you short reading quizzes, which will be used in part to determine your class participation grade. Note: If you go over the absence limit after the final drop date (see attendance policy below) you will forfeit ALL of your class participation points.

5. Extra Credit: A limited number of extra credit assignments will be offered during the semester. The purpose of the extra credit is to enrich your class experience and enhance your understanding of mass media. Extra credit is NOT an eleventh hour mechanism to score points you failed to earn during the semester. Please do not treat the privilege of extra credit in that manner.  If you are caught plagiarizing or falsifying extra credit, you will become in eligible for any extra credit points, including points already earned.

Grade Inventory Sheet: If you want to know how you’re doing in class, you must come see me during office hours (see box above) with your grade inventory sheet filled out.

MAKE-UPS: Make-ups are a logistical impossibility, so I do not offer them. If you miss a test or homework or something else, do extra credit to make up some of the points lost. Please do not ask me to make exceptions.

RESPONSIBILITY: Your education is your responsibility. This means that it’s your responsibility to show up on time, do your work and seek help. If you miss a test or homework assignment, do extra credit. If you miss class, check with a classmate or come to my office hour to see what you missed. It is your responsibility to acquire missed information/work on your own time, not during my time, class time or in the moments just before class begins or right after it ends. See me during the office hours I have set aside specifically for this purpose. Grade Inventory Sheet: If you want to know how you’re doing in class, you must come see me during office hours with your grade inventory sheet filled out.

FORMATTING: All assignments must be typed and double-spaced using Times New Roman 12-pt. font and formatted according to the MLA handout, which I give out at the beginning of the semester. If you don’t have a computer at home, you can use the fine computers on campus. If you’re having any trouble at all with computer use, come see me and ask me for help. If you’re not familiar with computer use, I will help you access this wonderful campus resource.

CLASS CONDUCT: In addition to showing up on time and prepared, please conduct yourself in class as a mature adult who exhibits respect for others at all times. There is to be no food of any kind in class at any time. Water is fine; food is not. Please refrain from excessive side conversations, as they are disruptive to others. You are encouraged to bring computers, iPads, iPods, smart phones,  and similar electronic info/communication devices.  You will use such devices to access the Internet as part of our work. However, use of the aforementioned devices for social or personal reasons is against class rules. If you are using them for other than class business you will be asked to leave the class for that day.

HELP: I'm here to help you. If you want to talk or get extra help, see me in my office during office hours or send me an email. If you wait until the eleventh hour (or thirteenth week) to reach out, you lessen your chances for turning around a low grade, getting help, figuring something out or even getting in touch with me before a deadline. Try not to procrastinate in this area. I want you to succeed in this course and in your educational goals. I realize it’s tough, but you can do it, and I am here to help you do just that.

Date	Readings to be completed before class	Quizzes, exams, and major assignments
	Week 1: Intro to Class; Mass Media
Mon. 8/25	In-class: 1. Student questionnaire. 2. Read syllabus Handouts: Syllabus
Wed. 8/27	Quiz	Daily Quiz (first of many)
	Week 2: Mass Media Literacy; Technology
Mon. 9/1	LABOR DAY HOLIDAY – NO CLASS
Wed. 9/3	Quiz In-class: What do you mean when you use the term “media?” How do media effect the world we live in? How about your particular part of the world? Discuss media literacy and technology Homework: Work on media use assignment ***September 5 – Last day to drop class with no fee owed and no “W”	Daily Quiz (you will have a daily quiz to begin each class)
	Week 3: Literacy, Technology, and Economics
Mon. 9/8	Quiz In-class: What are you favorite apps? How do you use technology? How do you access the Internet? Do you pay? Should the Internet be free for everyone? Homework: Read chapter 3
Wed. 9/10	Quiz In-class: Complete “Media Use” assignment in groups Homework: Read chapter 8	Media use assignment due
	Week 4: News and Entertainment
Mon. 9/15	Quiz Factors shaping the future of news Homework: Read chapter 9
Wed. 9/17	Quiz Homework: Do Assign. 2 (Book questionnaire etc.)
	Week 5: Print Media (Books, Newspaper, Magazines)
Mon. 9/22	Quiz Homework: Read chapter 4 and do Assign. 2 (Book questionnaire etc.)
Wed. 9/24	Quiz Print Media: Books; reading and watching – compare and contrast	Assignment 2 due
	Week 6: Print Media (Books, Newspaper, Magazines)
Mon. 9/29	Quiz Newspapers and magazines: Read chapter 4 Homework: Assign. 3	Assignment 3 due
Wed, 10/1	Quiz More Print Media Newspapers and magazines Homework: TK
	Week 7: Sound Media (Recordings and Radio)
Mon. 10/6	Quiz Wrap up print discussions Discuss impact of radio – then and now: Read chapter 5 Homework: Assign. 4 (Two essay questions)	Find and write about socially and/or politically significant art Assign. 4 due
Wed. 10/8	Mid-term review
	Week 8: Review for Mid-term
Mon. 10/13	Quiz Virtual communities. Reddit.com Handout (assignment due Nov.  12) Discuss Research paper topics (in groups) Radio and public opinion Homework: Find two Subreddits to concentrate on. One Must involve an aspect of breaking news (such as Democracy movement in Hong Kong)
Wed. 10/15	Quiz (con’t)	Find two Subreddits to concentrate on
	Week 9: Mid-term
Mon. 10/20	Mid-term exam, you must attend class that day.	Mid-term exam
Wed. 10/22	Quiz Review mid-term. Homework: Assignment 5 (radio station analysis), Read chapter 6  T	Assignment 5 due
	Week 10: Sound Media, Motion Media (Movies and TV)
Mon. 10/27	Quiz Begin motion picture and TV discussion
Wed. 10/29		Group presentations on Reddit project
	Week 11: Motion Media (Movies and TV)
Mon. 11/3	Quiz Homework: Read chapter 7
Wed. 11/5	Quiz Research paper review day Discuss Reddit (prepare for analysis of the site and how it works) Set up optional conferences for next week
	Week 12: New Media
Mon. 11/10	Quiz New Media Effects Homework: Read chapters 13
Wed. 11/12	Quiz Homework: Read chapters 11 ***November 14 – Last day to drop a class with a “W”	Assignment 6 due: Virtual community/Reddit assignment due.
	Week 13: Mass Media Effects
Mon. 11/17	Quiz New Media Effects Homework: Read chapter 17
Wed. 11/19	Quiz Social Media Research Map Research paper topic discussion/optional assignment (must be in class to choose an optional topic)	Social media as a search tool. You will create a search map of an assigned topic

	Week 14: Advertising and Ethics
Mon. 11/24	Quiz In Class: -Review the research paper prompt -Listen to episode 1 of Serial, the hugely popular podcast by Chicago public radio station WBEZ. Homework: Work on research paper and study for exam
Wed. 11/26	Quiz In Class: hand in an update concerning the state of your research paper. Homework: Work on research paper and study for exam	Hand in an update concerning the state of your research paper (topic, progress of research, questions, things you've learned)
	Week 15: Review; Paper due
Mon. 12/1	Draft of research Papers due Questions/help on research paper	Draft research paper due (points toward final grade)
Wed. 12/3		Final draft of research paper due
	Week 16: FINAL EXAM
Mon. 12/8
Wed. 12/10	Final Exam	Final draft of research paper Final Exam