Journalism 110 Section 01: Intro to Mass Communication (Fall 2012)

Mondays and Wednesdays, 9:30am to 10:45am – CBA-139

Professor: Danny Paskin ()

Office: SSPA-025Phone: (562) 985-2602

Office hours: Mondays and Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

or by appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Intro to Mass Communication deals with the history, development and the role in society and culture of the mass media, including newspapers, magazines, radio, TV, books, film and others – and, more recently, new media. The course will give students a better understanding of the practices and theories behind those media, analyzing their practices, standards and rationale and their importance in the day-to-day lives of media professionals and others involved. The course will also improve students’ literacy skills and their critical eye to analyze the media, their influence in society and culture. Students will have a better understanding of the dilemmas and ethics that the media face, the importance and limitations of free speech and freedom of the press, and will be able to draw their own conclusions of daily challenges the industry fights. Rather than simply a lecture, this course is designed to include student participation, which is highly encouraged during the semester (in other words, you will be expected to be active during the semester!).

CLASS GOALS: This course will develop in students a critical and well-informed view of the mass media, their structure, operation and patterns, including history and underlying theories and notions. Become aware of common terms and concepts related to the media in general, and each medium in specific. Students will understand and be able to critically analyze the cultural impact of the mass media while, at the same time, understanding its relationship to a diverse society. And the class should broaden the understanding of students as to what the definition of mass media is, and help them in their career choices and future use of those media, including professionally.

REQUIRED READING:

-Baran, S. J. (2008) Introduction to Mass Communication: Media Literacy and Culture. 5th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill.

(Your book also has an interactive web site – – which contains supporting material for your studies. Use it!)

* Please note: this is the 2008 edition of the book. It’s not the latest one, and that’s on purpose. The difference between the editions is not that significant, and can be incorporated in the lectures. But, by using the older edition, students should be able to buy used copies of the book either at the campus bookstore or online much more easily.

-You will also be expected to develop a healthy habit of becoming aware of current news through the media (and being critical of the news you receive). Questions on current events may be part of your exams. Therefore, read local newspapers (L.A. Times and The Daily 49er), national ones (N.Y. Times or Washington Post), watch nightly newscasts, watch CNN, listen to NPR, and so on. You may also do all that online.

CLASS PARTICIPATION: Students will be expected to participate in class discussion, ask questions and raise interesting and topics of discussion related to the topic of class. You will be expected to contribute with constructive criticism to your classmates’ assignments, and be open to constructive criticism from your colleagues –all while maintaining a workplace-like professionalism. Deadlines, as in any journalistic assignment in school or in the real world, will be extremely important (see more on that below).

ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE OF CLASSES:

Date / Topic / Book chapter
/ Topic / Chapters to read before class
Aug. 27, 29 / Class introduction // Intro to Communication
Sep. 3, 5 / LABOR DAY // Intro to Mass Communication / 1 and 2
Sep. 10, 12 / Mass Communication Process/Theories & Effects / 13
Sep. 17, 19 / Books / 3
Sep. 24, 26 / Newspapers / 4
Oct. 1, 3 / Film / 6
Oct. 8, 10 / Music/Radio / 7 and 8
Oct. 15, 17 / Midterm// Television
Oct. 22, 24 / Television
Oct. 29, 31 / Video Games / 9
Nov. 5, 7 / Internet: Online Mass Comm & Social Media / 10
Nov. 13*, 14 / Public Relations / 11
Nov. 19, 21 / Advertising / 12
Nov. 26, 28 / Ethics/Media Law / 14
Dec. 3, 5 / Global Media / 15
Fri., Dec. 14 / Final Exam – 8 a.m. to 10 am.

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING REGARDING THE SCHEDULE ABOVE:

* In observance of the Veterans Day holiday, no classes will be held on Monday, November 12. Classes that normally meet on Mondays will meet on Tuesday, November 13 at the same times and in the same classrooms normally occupied on Mondays. Students who cannot attend classes rescheduled to Tuesday, November 13 must inform their instructors in advance so that arrangements can be made to make up the missed work.

GRADED WORK AND ASSIGNMENTS:

Any typed assignments should be written in Times New Roman, 12 pts, double spaced (and yes, I can tell when it is double-and-a-half spaced). Any online assignments should conform to the outline of the exercises, as shown in class and on BeachBoard.

Following is a tentative listing of the assignments for the semester. Since this class is highly practical, all assignments listed below are not “set in stone,” and may be changed, dropped or substituted based on decisions made in class or by your professor based on what will enhance your learning experience even more. Any chances will be announced probably in class andon BeachBoard.

-Class participation and attendance: As described above, show up on time for class and prepared. Participate in class discussions, and be up-to-speed on your readings. Actively participate in in-class exercises, and contribute to an overall better learning environment.

Value: 5% of final grade

-Participation in Beachboard discussions: This is a communication class and, as such, you will be expected to participate quite actively. Not only in class, but also online, on Beachboard. Throughout the semester, you’ll be required to participate in at least four different online discussions. Participating means more than just saying “cool” or “I agree.” You need to constructively add to the discussion. To count, write between 250 and 350 words.

Value: 8% of final grade

-Media Exposure Report: You will keep track of all your media exposure for a week, from the time you wake up to the time you fall asleep at night. That includes all TV, radio and iPod, newspapers and magazines, books, movies on the theater and DVDs, and Internet sites you visit. Keep track of the times, and name of movies, TV shows, radio stations, etc., you consume. Do not write reports that simply say “I realized I consume too much media during the week.” Length is not important in this report – what matters is your accuracy in your tracking, and your analysis of it. Days to do it should include both days when you have class and you have not. Days must be consecutive.

Value: 9% of final grade

Expected Learning Outcome: Students will understand the influence of mass media in their lives and that of others, helping them understand even more the material that’ll be covered in class during the semester.

-Communication Withdrawal Exercises: Twice during the semester, you will be asked to push yourself and abstain from different forms of communication – one of them passive, the other active. At the end of each exercise, you will be expected to write a one to two page report critically describing your experience. Not only explain what you did during that time, but also analyze what you felt during the experience, or how it changed or did not change you.

  • Report 1: The “No Communication”Exercise: You will stay for three hours not being able to communicate with others, verbally or non-verbally. That includes not speaking, signing, nodding or anything else that may constitute communication as discussed in class.

You will spend those three hours in a public place, where interaction with others would be expected and common, and to perform duties that would usually require communication with others (i.e. having lunch in a fast food place, or buying a soda at a stand).

Your report, then, will include a description of what you did, when and where, and your reaction to not being able to communicate with others – even though they can. Once more, think critically and explain how that exercise affected your perception of your ability to communicate, or lack thereof. Your reaction should be between 400-600 words.

Value: 9% of final grade

Expected Learning Outcome: Students will understand the importance of human communication – verbal and non-verbal – in their lives.

  • Report 2: The “No Media”Exercise: You will spend a weekend without consuming any media whatsoever. That includes, but is not limited to: TV, radio and iPod, newspapers, magazines, books, movies on the theater and DVDs, Internet sites and any other type of media mentioned in class. The goal of this exercise is to analyze the actual impact of media in your daily life, and what we would do without media around: the pros and cons. Your report, then, will include a description of what you did, when and where, and your reaction to not being able to consume any media during that weekend. Once more, think critically and explain how that exercise affected your perception of the media and its effects. Take in consideration all you studied in class, read in your book and learned from the other exercises done until now. Your reaction should be between 400-600 words.

Value: 9% of final grade

Expected Learning Outcome: After having analyzed their media consumption (with the Media Exposure Report) and not communicating with others (with the “no communication exercise”),this assignment will allow students tounderstand the importance of mass media in their lives,and be able to understand the relationship between communication and mass communication in the world and in their own lives.

-Midterm examination: Multiple-choice exam based on topic covered in class, during lectures, discussions and exercises, and in your textbook.

Value:30% of final grade

-Final examination: Multiple-choice exam based on topic covered in class, during lectures, discussions and exercises, and in your textbook. Your professor will let you know if it’s cumulative or not.

Value:30% of final grade

GRADING SCALE:

A = 90% and above

B = 80% to 89%

C = 70% to 79%

D = 60% to 69%

F = 59% and below

HOW TO GET AN “A” IN THIS CLASS:

1. Attend all classes and be on time. 2. Ask questions. 3. Sit in the front of the room. 4. Pay attention, to lectures, to PowerPoint presentation (they may have little surprises in them), to discussions, to Beachboard. 6. Do the assigned readings before class. 7. Come talk to me during office hours if you have any problems at all, or e-mail me if you can’t come talk. 8. Follow directions for the projects. 9. Turn in projects always on time. 10. At all times: be creative, interesting, interested and accurate! 11. If you’ve reached Number 11 without noticing there was no Number 5, you may want to go back and read this list again. 

Please note:Just because a student completes an assignment doesn’t necessarily mean the student will receive an A, or even a B. Students who complete an assignment satisfactorily (a good job on it) will receive a C; for a B, students should do a very good job on the assignment. An A is awarded to those who not only follow the steps listed above, but do an extraordinary job at the assignment. Therefore, students who receive As in assignments should be proud of their work, and will be setting the bar for what others are/were expected to do.

DEADLINES AND ASSIGNMENT SUBMISSION: Assignments are due at the date and time they are due. You may, if you wish, turn in an assignment before deadline. A special situation has to be addressed with professor ahead of time, and never after the deadline is past (or pretty close to it). An assignment turned in late will automatically receive a ZERO unless for a valid reason discussed with professor BEFORE deadline.

MAKE-UP POLICIES: Will be accepted only in special situations and with agreement with University policy and allowed by your professor. Make-ups usually are granted in strict accordance with CSULB policy, which defines excused absences as (1) illness or injury to the student; (2) death, injury or serious illness of an immediate family member or the like; (3) religious reasons; (4) jury duty or government obligation; (5) CSULB-sanctioned or approved activities [2002-03 Catalog, p.75]. These and any other requests for an excused absence must be documented. If you know ahead of time you will be missing an exam or a deadline, talk to your professor ahead of time. If the situation was unforeseen, talk to your professor as soon as possible, and before the next class period after the deadline/exam date, in person or through e-mail. Always keep backup copies of your assignments as you do them, to avoid computer problems (online e-mail accounts work great for that!). Do not come up with lies to explain your late work or absence from exams – we all know the excuses, and I can tell you bad stories that came from those. Excused absences must be supported by proper documentation proving the allegations.

Course Absence policy: Class attendance is required. You will be expected to be in class, ready, before your professor arrives.

After two unexcused absences you will lose 10 points of your participation grade per unexcused absence.

If you walk out in the middle of class without consulting your professor first or letting him know about it immediately after class in an emergency case (in person or through e-mail) with a valid excuse, it will be counted as a full absence.

A roll call sheet will be passed around every class in the beginning of class. It is your responsibility to find and sign the sheet if you are present. If you do not sign the sheet at all during class time, you’ll be considered absent for that day.

Finally, if someone signs your name on the roll call sheet for the day, you will lose 50 points of your final grade, and the person who signed your name will also lose 50 points of his/her final grade.

If you do miss class for a valid excuse (proven sickness, important family issues, etc.), let your professor know through e-mail or personally as soon as possible. If you know about an issue ahead of time, let your professor know you will miss a future class.

PAPER OR ELECTRONIC COPIES: You will be instructed in each assignment whether to turn it in electronically or in print, or in person via USB Drive. You will have to adhere to that. Furthermore, ANYTIME you submit an assignment through e-mail, its name should follow the following format: LASTNAME-CLASSNUMBER-ASSIGNMENTTITLE. (i.e. Paskin-JOUR110-Project1.doc).

Please note that, unless told otherwise, every assignment should be submitted as a Microsoft Office file (.doc or .docx) or as a PDF file, but NOT in any other format (including, for example, Microsoft Works format - .wps), with grade points being deducted for failure to do so.

Seat in Class: An enrolled student may lose his/her seat in class if he/she misses the first class meeting without notifying the instructor. At the instructor’s discretion, a student who attends the first class but not subsequent classes may also be dropped from the course.

Withdrawal from Class: Students may withdraw from a class from the third to the 12th week for “serious and compelling reasons.” Normally these are defined as anything of importance that is beyond the control of the student. This includes, but is not necessarily limited to, death or serious illness in a student’s immediate family or a documented change in a student’s work schedule. Poor performance, tardiness and unexcused absences are not considered serious or compelling reasons beyond the student’s control for purposes of withdrawing.

CONTACTING YOUR PROFESSOR: If you need to reach your professor outside the classroom, your first choice is to come by during office hours (see above for times, and remember your class requirement of two office visits during the semester). You may also contact your professor through his office phone (listed above).

E-mailing your professor is a great tool nowadays. However, keep the following in mind: although e-mail is easy and great, your professor will not be next to his computer at all times, especially during the weekends or days when he’s not listed as being officially on campus. Politeness and proper etiquette always apply, no matter the means of contacting your professor.

Whatever the mean, keep in mind: always identify yourself when contacting your professor, clearly letting him know your name and course, either in the subject line or at the very beginning of the message, especially early in the semester. Your professor, in the other hand, promises to answers all e-mails as soon as possible and in their fullest, usually in good humor and awake enough to make sense.

YOUR E-MAIL: Just like your professor, you are supposed to have a working e-mail for contact out of class. During the first day of class, you will be asked to provide an e-mail address (which may or may not be linked to CSULB). It is your responsibility to keep that e-mail working throughout the semester. If you do change e-mails at some point, please let your professor know of it.