COMMUNICATION STUDIES 258 Concepts of Media Production
	Spring 2010 - Tues. & Thur., 8 - 9:30 a.m. in CART 118

INSTRUCTOR: Mark D. Johns

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

	Schedule of topics, readings and lecture outlines
	AP Style Guide			Luther College homepage

This project-based course will help you begin to understand that stories told in a particular medium are subject to the capabilities and limitations of that medium. By writing and producing for several different media, you will have the opportunity to discover these capabilities and limitations, and to gain understanding of how each medium functions. You will also begin to gain skills that will prepare you to learn more in an internship experience.

OBJECTIVES

• Each student will begin to appreciate the capabilities and limitations of various media by participation as a member of a production team.
• Each student will begin to understand how the convergence of media technologies demands that media professionals develop of a broad range of skills.
• Each student will develop an understanding of the basics of writing, production, and editing applicable to print, radio, and Web environments - but primarily for TV/video - which will prepare them for an internship experience in the future.

COURSE FORMAT

This class meets for lecture, discussion, demonstration, and production daily as scheduled. Production activities are group efforts to which each member contributes. Each member of the class is expected to prepare for class by completing the readings and other assignments for the day, to be on time, and present for the entire class period. See attendance policy.

READINGS

Reading assignments are noted on the schedule posted on the class web site.

The two primary texts will be

• The Associated Press Guide to News Writing by Rene J. Cappon (Third Edition, ARCO, 2000; ISBN 0-02-863755-0), and
• The Art of Video Production by Leonard Shyles (Sage Publications, 2007; ISBN 978-1-4129-1675-2).

• The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law edited by Norm Goldstein (any edition in last five years is fine – Perseus Books, 2007; ISBN 0-46500-489-X is the most recent).

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

Additional readings, as noted on the schedule, will be distributed in class and/or made available on library reserve or on the class web site.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Computer skills are not optional for communication professionals, therefore this course will force you to practice those skills. 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 and assignments. 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

Your overall grade for the course will be based on a scale of 1000 points calculated from:

• Reading & Participation: Being present, on time, prepared and engaged with the subject material in class discussions, and in-class exercises (150 points).
• Print Projects and Radio Scripts: Four news stories graded on adherence to standard form, use of proper style, attention to detail and quality of writing plus two radio scripts (25 points each, 150 points total).
• Web Projects: Participation in group production of a Web site (50 points) plus at least two personal features contributed to that site (50 points each, 150 points total).
• Video Projects: Participation in two group documentary segment productions (200 points)
• Quizzes: Four (of five) in-class quizzes (25 points each, 100 points total).
• Exams: A midterm exam (100 points) and a final exam (150 points, 250 points total)

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

OTHER COURSE POLICIES