COM 3324/Contempoary Issues In Mass Media-Summer 090

Instructor Warren (Rhubarb) Jones

SYLLABUS

Logistical information

Instructor-Warren (Rhubarb) Jones

Lecture: Monday/Wednesday-8:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

Classroom: SocialScienceClassroomBuilding

Room 2025

Office: Town Point Building Room 4650

Office Hours: By appointment only

Phone: (770) 499 3658

Fax: (770) 423 6532

Email:

MISSION

The Department of Communication at KennesawStateUniversity prepares its graduates to be effective, life-long communicators, pro-active leaders, and scholarly practioners who create, design, deliver, and interpret the meaning of messages in interpersonal, organizational, and societal contexts. Our graduates will be prepared to actively contribute to the continuously evolving local and global communities while adapting to the constant changing technological environment.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

An analysis and exploration of evolving and emerging issues in mass media with emphasis on how the media treats important issues from all perspectives. This will be a discussion class and outside media sources will be helpful for your participation. The required readings will come from Taking Sides: Clashing Views in Mass Media and Society. Alison Alexander and Janice Hanson, Tenth Edition. International Standard Book Number-978-0-07-351524-3. Other sources of reading will be assigned and will be announced. Other materials will be from magazines, newspapers, scholarly journals, digital video discs, the internet, and guest lecturers.

GROUND RULES

Show up for class. I fully expect you to show up and participate in class discussion. You are an adult and you are expected to behave as one. Cross talk and conversations with your classmate neighbors during class are strongly discouraged. Unexcused absences are an indication that you have no intent of serious study of this course. It costs money to go to college. Show up. Absences without a note from your physician or funeral director are unexcused. 4 unexcusedabsences will deduct a full letter grade when posting final grades at the end of the semester. I am not going to discuss or debate your final grade. You are the master of your own destiny in this course. Material covered in class will be emphasized on exams and active participation is considered in the student's favor when final grades are determined. Emphasis will be given to the quality of participation rather than the quantity. It is the student’s responsibility to EARN the desired grade.

LATE OUT-OF-CLASS ASSIGNMENTS

Assignments are due to the instructor NO LATER THAN 8:15 a.m. on the designated due date. Assignments MUST be submitted physically to the instructor. E-MAIL ATTACHMENTS FOR ASSIGNMENTS ARE UNACCEPTABLE. Late assignments will be accepted up to 7 days after the original due date with a penalty off the total possible number of points for the assignment for each day the assignment is late (EXCLUDING weekends). Assignments turned in after 13 days are an automatic zero.

ACADEMIC HONESTY

Every student at KennesawStateUniversity is responsible for upholding the provisions of the Student Code of Conduct, as published in the Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs. Section II of the Code of Conduct addresses the University's policy on academic honesty, including provisions regarding plagiarism and cheating, unauthorized access to University materials, etc. Incidents of alleged academic misconduct will be handled through the established procedures of the University Judiciary Program, which include either an "informal" resolution by a faculty member, resulting in a grade adjustment, or a formal hearing procedure, which may subject a student to the Code of Conduct's minimum one semester suspension requirement.

CONFERENCES

Students may arrange an appointment concerning the course at a time specified mutually by student and the instructor. Office telephone number is (770) 499 3658 or email .

NOTE: All aspects of this syllabus are subject to change. If changes do occur, you will be notified in a timely manner. The syllabus will change. It is your responsibility to check it before class.

CLASS SCHEDULE & ASSIGNMENT

June 1 Show up. Discussion of the course. Brainstorming

June 3 More Brainstorming and the issues important to you.

June 8 Issue One-American Values Shaped by the Media

June 10 Discussion of Issue One

June 15 Assignment One-Prepare a 3 page paper on a television show

That has shaped American Values. (critical thinking and opinion)

June 17 Test One/Issue video

June 22 35 years ago today (paper one due)

June 24 TBA

June 29 Media Stereotypes-Gender/Race

July 1 Portrayals of African-American Women/paper 2 assignment-write

A two page opinion paper on the most important contemporary

Issue you are facing. This is due on July 13th.

July 6 Test 2 preview

July 8 TBA

July 13 Paper 2 due

July 15 TBA

July 20 Assignment 3 paper. Topic and length TBA

July 22 TBA

July 27 TBA

July 29 Assignment three due (Final TBA)

  • All Items on this Syllabus are subject to change.

Statement of Acknowledgment and Understanding

I have read and understand all the rules and conditions presented in this document. I further understand that it is my responsibility to read the entire document and ask questions of the instructor to clarify any points that I do not understand or that are not clear upon reading. 60 % of the grade is from 3 exams and 3 three page papers. I also understand that 40% of the grade is from class participation and that attendance is understood to be a part of participation. I also understand that it is the student’s responsibility to EARN the grade given at the end of the semester. Once this statement has been signed and returned to the instructor, it is implied that I understand the contents as they appear and are interpreted by the Instructor, and thus waive any opportunity to ask for clarification or challenge anything presented in the proceeding pages of this document.

My signature on this document is required in order to qualify to take any exam. Failure to do so will result in the Instructor’s refusal to allow me to take the exam.

I have read all the items contained in the entire syllabus and have asked for clarification from the Instructor on any points upon which I needed further clarification.

Printed Name:______

Signature:______

Date:______