Mary Jackson Pitts, Ph.D.
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Mary Jackson Pitts, Ph.D.
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RTV-JOUR 1003 Mass Communications in Modern Society Spring 2008 Mass Comm in Society Professor: Dr. Mary Jackson Pitts Comm #367 Phone: 972‑3361 E-Mail mpitts@astate.edu Web site: www.clt.astate.edu/mpitts Office Hours: MWF 10-11; TTH 9:30-10:30 TEXTBOOK: Baran, S.J. (2008). Introduction to mass communication: Media literacy and culture. (4th. Ed.) . Mountain View, California: Mayfield Publishing. Catalog Description: Survey of the various fields of mass communications, with emphasis on their functions, operations, and problems in a democracy. COURSE OBJECTIVES: This course is intended to prepare students to better deal with the mass media‑‑either as professionals employed in the media or as consumers of the media. Since the media constantly impose themselves on people it is advantageous to know more about them; their functions, responsibilities, purpose and economic structures. The course will provide a basic knowledge of the communication system, the uses of media, and means of objectively evaluating media performance in light of media problems, promises, and potential. COURSE COVERAGE: This course will emphasize communication processes, media functions, and media‑government interrelationships. Newspapers and tv as individual media will be particularly stressed; magazines, books, radio, records, and the movie industry will be discussed. Focus will be on media economics, structure and future‑‑all in historical and theoretical perspective. Three facets of media will be considered‑‑news and information, entertainment, advertising and public relations. Primary consideration will be given to American media though media in other societies will be discussed when appropriate. Ethical concerns and contributions of females and minorities will also be emphasized. COURSE REQUIREMENTS/STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES: All announcements made in class or sent to class via email related to schedule changes, project due dates, course content, and requirements take precedence over any syllabi content or web content.
Because of class size and amount of material to be covered, the lecture method will be used. STUDENT QUESTIONS and CLASS DISCUSSION is ENCOURAGED. Class evaluation will be of four types: (1) in-class exams, (2) out-of-class book reports, (3) media literacy projects, and (4) in-class professional experiences. ALL EXAMS will cover lectures, reading assignments, films, etc. ... students are responsible for "everything" covered in the text or lecture/assignments. ** As a general rule Make-Up Exams will not be allowed except in unusual cases. Prior approval is necessary and cases will be handled on a case‑by‑case individual basis. A written doctor's excuse is required. BOOK REPORTS And MEDIA LITERACY PROJECTS. Each student will be required to report on two books during the term. Book report instructions can be found by following the link provided for you
: INSTRUCTION FOR Media Literacy Projects (5) will be provided on the web www.clt.astate.edu/mpitts/masscomprojects.htm../projects Failure to follow instructions will results in a low grade or non-acceptance of a report. All graded literacy reports will be turned in via e-mail or in-class. Projects will be assigned in class. Do not complete projects before they are assigned. LATE ASSIGNMENTS ARE NOT ACCEPTED. If you are unable to attend on the day a report is due, turn it in early or have a classmate bring it for you. No in-class assignment can be made up. GRADING: Attainment of the objectives of the course will be demonstrated by student performance on in‑class examinations and successful completion of book reports, media literacy, and professional development. Test ----- 40 % The average of the 4 exams given during this class will account for 40% of the class grade. Each test will be graded on a 100-point scale. Book Reports ----- 10 % Each student will complete two book reports. Book reports are designed to introduce students to new concepts related to diversity and the importance of reading from a broad listing of topics. Each book report will be graded on a 100-point scale. Media Literacy Projects 40 % Media literacy projects will be assigned during the semester. Each project is designed to help the student to better understand the communication process and the media’s functions. Projects will helps students to develop literacy skills to examine the truth, accuracy and fairness in media content. Projects are designed to enhance the students understanding of ethnicity, multiculturalism and the global impact of media messages on society. Each project will be graded on a 100-point scale. The average of all projects will be worth of the student’s final grade. In-Class Professional Experiences 10 % Guest speakers will provide the student with valuable experiences about the industry. Students will be required to write a written report about the guest speaker’s presentation and participate in the Q & A session for each guest speaker. Those reports will be graded on a 100-point scale. The average of those grades will account for 15% of the class grade.
All announcements made in class or sent to class via email related to schedule changes, project due dates, course content, and requirements take precedence over any syllabi content or web content.
Grading Scale: A = 90‑100% B = 80‑89% C = 70‑79% D = 60‑69% F = less than 60% Safety Policy: "This course may require the use of hazardous chemicals or equipment that the University Safety Committee recognizes as potentially hazardous to a student's safety and health. Every instructor is required to provide instructional information and training on safe handling and usage procedures prior to engaging students in the use of hazardous chemicals or equipment. In addition, students are advised to notify the instructor or laboratory supervisor of any medications or conditions that may impair their mental alertness and/or their ability to safely engage in the use of any hazardous chemical or equipment. All students should participate in the use of hazardous chemicals and equipment only under the direct supervision of the instructor or by approval of the instructor, using recommended methods and procedures. Failure to adhere to the outlined safety precautions could result in disciplinary action." DISABILITY STATEMENTAny student in this course who has a disability that may prevent him/her from fully participating in this course should contact the Disability Services (972-3964) as soon as possible so we can make the necessary accommodations to facilitate your educational opportunity. ATTENDANCE: As per the ASU Attendance Policy in the Undergraduate Bulletin: "Students should attend every lecture, etc.... Students enrolled in freshman or sophomore level courses numbered 1000 or 2000 may during a semester miss no more than twice the number of lectures, recitations, lab sessions, or other regularly scheduled class activities that would normally be scheduled during a week. Students, who miss more than the maximum number of freshman or sophomore level classes, may be dropped from the class with a grade of F." ALL CELL PHONES AND PAGERS SHOULD BE TURNED OFF BEFORE ENTERING THE CLASSROOM, AND THEY SHOULD REMAIN OFF DURING CLASS. THE PROFESSOR WILL ANSWER THE CELL PHONE IF IT RINGS DURING CLASS. TEXT MESSAGING IS AN UNACCEPTABLE PRACTICE DURING CLASS. PHONES APPEARING ON DESK, RINGING OR BEING USED FOR TEXTING DURING CLASS WILL RESULT IN A 100-POINT REDUCTION FOR THAT DAILY GRADE AND/OR ASSIGNMENT. DURING TEST PHONES WILL BE LEFT ON THE PROFESSOR'S DESK.
RTV/ JOUR 1003 ‑‑ MASS MEDIA & MODERN SOCIETY (Note: Diversity, ethics and multiculturalism will be discussed throughout the course. Diversity and ethics will be discussed as each medium is examined). Tentative Schedule: All announcements made in class or sent to class via email related to schedule changes, project due dates, course content, and requirements take precedence over any syllabi content or web content.
Week 1 Introduction to Course Read Syllabus Chapter 1, 15 Week 2 Mass Communication, culture, and mass media Read Chapter 13 Week 3 Media Literacy and Multiculturalism Read Chapter 2 Examining Diversity: Its link to media literacy Week 4 Theories of mass Communication Read Chapter 13 Mass Communication research and effects Sender, message, medium and audience Ethics—What happens at each step of the communications model? Week 5 Television-the business-national/global Read Chapter 8 Week 6 Internet –Global village of multiculturalism Read Chapter 10 Week7 Newspaper –changing times and impact Read Chapter 4 Week 8 Books-globalization and multinational role Read Chapter 3 Week 9 Magazines—the many audiences Read Chapter 5 Week 10 Spring Break March 17-21 Week 11 Film- cultural imperialism and status quo Read Chapter 6 Week 12 Radio—the global medium Read Chapter 7 Week 13 Public relations—relating to the many publics Read Chapter 11 Week 14 Advertising—reaching all audiences Read Chapter 12 Week 15 Final Exam http://registrar.astate.edu/ Have a good semester!!!!!
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