COMS 133 Intro to Mass Media

	COMMUNICATION STUDIES 133 Introduction to Mass Media
	Fall Semester 2010 MWF at 11 a.m. in Valders 252

INSTRUCTOR: Mark D. Johns

Office: Campus House -- Phone: x1347 -- E-mail: mjohns @ luther.edu
Office hours: see my schedule

LINKS

	Schedule of readings, topics, and assignments (Katie site)			AP Style Guide for news & media writing APA Style Guide for research papers
				AP States & Places Guide for news writing
	More Journalism & Mass Communication Resources			Luther College homepage

OVERVIEW

This course aims to familiarize you with the nature and content of critical approaches to mass communication inquiry, and help you better understand the mass media and mass communication from a variety of perspectives. The course also is intended to encourage critical inquiry into communication theories, journalistic practices, news and entertainment content, and to assist all students in becoming more informed, thoughtful and discerning media consumers.

OBJECTIVES

Each student will be capable of defining mass communication, will be familiar with the various media of mass communication currently in use in U.S. society, and will understand the essential characteristics of each medium.
Each student will be familiar with the dominant theories of mass communication processes and effects and will understand the primary advantages and limitations of several approaches to mass communication research.
Each student will begin to demonstrate analytical and critical thinking skills required to link mass communication theory with cultural understandings and personal reading/viewing habits.
Each student will develop fundamental skills in writing for the various media (including print, broadcast, web, and public relations) and in writing social scientific research reports.

COURSE FORMAT

This class meets for lecture and discussion twice each week. Students who are not present at class sessions deprive themselves of information provided by the instructor that will be essential to successful completion of the course. Even more, they also deprive their classmates of the opportunity for interactive discussion and the sharing of experiences, opinions, questions, arguments and ideas. Each member of the class is expected to prepare for class by completing the readings and other assignments for the day, and to be present, on time, for the entire class period.

READINGS

Reading assignments are noted on the schedule posted on the class KATIE site. It is expected that readings will be completed as scheduled without specific assignment in class. The required texts:

-30-: The Collapse of the Great American Newspaper edited by Charles M. Madigan (Ivan R. Dee Publishers, 2007; ISBN 1-56663-742-2), and
Mediated: How the Media Shape Your World and the Way You Live In It by Thomas de Zengotita. (Bloomsbury Publishing, 2005; ISBN: 1-59691-032-1)..

These texts are available in the book store and should be obtained before the beginning of the second class session.

Strongly recommended is:

The Associated Press Stylebook (latest edition is 2009, edited by Darrell Christian, Sally Jacobsen and David Minthorn; ISBN 978-0-917360-53-4, but any edition in the past five years is fine)

Additional readings, as noted on the schedule, will be distributed in class and/or made available on library reserve or on the class KATIE site. Each student must regularly check his/her Luther e-mail account, as the instructor will assume that email messages sent to @luther.edu addresses between scheduled class sessions will be seen and read by all class members.

OBLIGATIONS, ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING

Each student needs an e-mail account. This is the best way to communicate with classmates and instructor between classes. It is essential that you have access to the class world-wide web site to access all required readings.

Your overall grade for the course will be based on a scale of 900 points calculated from:

Reading & Participation: Being present, on time, prepared and engaged with the subject material in class discussions (may include “pop” quizzes, 150 points).
Writing: An essay, on a topic assigned in class, of at least three, but no more than four double-spaced standard pages (100 points). Also, a portfolio of news stories or releases, as assigned (50 points). Essays will be graded on the basis of substance, focus, clarity, intelligent use of course materials, strength and originality of ideas, caliber of writing. News stories will be graded on the basis of accuracy, clarity, and correct AP style. (150 points total).
Research: A paper of 6 to 8 double-spaced typed pages on a topic related to the course and mutually agreed upon with the instructor. Research papers will be graded on the basis of depth of topic, substance, focus, clarity, the number, quality and intelligent use of appropriate sources, strength and originality of ideas, caliber of writing. (75 points drafts, 125 final, 200 points total).
Quizzes: Four (of five) in-class quizzes (25 points each, 100 points total).
Tests: Mid-term and Final exams (150 points each, 300 points total).

A complete schedule of all assignments, deadlines and exams is posted on the class KATIE site, and will be kept up to date as any changes or adjustments are made through the semester.

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