Introduction to Mass Media
JRMP 1113 (23028)
Spring 2016
Academic Commons 134
Mon & Wed 9:30-10:45
Instructor: Steve Adams
e-mail: stevea@cameron.edu
Office: Academic Commons 103; 581-2477
Office Hours: Mon 8:30-9:30, 2:00-4:00; Tue 9:30-11:00; Wed 8:30-9:30, 2:00-3:00; Thur 9:3011:00, 2:00-3:00; Fri by appointment.
Website: adamsbroadcast.weebly.com (check weekly for updates and articles)
Catalog Description: The purpose of the introductory class is to look at the various components
of the mass communication industry with special emphasis in convergent mass media: the press,
broadcast journalism, digital and social media and the internet. Mass media plays a significant
role in our daily lives: this course will survey these interwoven components, including the
technical aspects, history, legal and social issues and future ramifications. Lecture 3 hours.
Text: Media & Culture by Campbell, Martin and Fabos (9th edition) (ISBN:978-1-4576-2831-3)
Objectives of Course: At the end of the course the student should be able to:
Understand the relevance of the mass media to a democratic society.
Understand the relationship between the government and the press.
Identify significant events in radio, television, press and internet history.
Discuss legal issues confronting the mass media industry.
Critically analyze the impact of all mass media.
Produce a multimedia presentation on one topic of importance to the understanding of
mass media in our society.
Graded Assignments: There will be four exams worth 100 points each and one research
presentation, also worth 100 points. Students will be required to set up a blog and to make
regular postings (50 points). Approximate dates for the exams and presentation are as follows:
Exam One
Chapters 1, 2, 16
Exam Two
Chapters 4, 5, 8
Exam Three Chapters 7, 6, 9, 10
Exam Four
Chapters 11, 14, (15)
(Exam dates are subject to change)
Wednesday, February 3
Wednesday, March 2
Monday, April 4
Wednesday, May 4, 8:30-10:00
In Class Presentations will be April 11, 13, 18 & 20.
Other graded activities such as pop quizzes are also possible.
Any exam which is missed will be assessed a 20% penalty unless arrangements are made
with the instructor in advance of the exam. Any missed exams must be made up within one
week of the exam date. If you missed your assigned time for your in class presentation that will
also incur a 20% penalty.
Grading Scale:
A= 90-100%
B = 80-89%
C = 70-79%
D = 65-69%
Blog: Students will be required to set up a blog on a blogging website (Word Press preferred).
You will use the blog to write about media matters, material discussed in class or your
presentation. You will be required to make five postings during the course of the semester.
Posting deadlines are: January 25, February 15, March 7, March 30 and April 25. After you
post, send the instructor an email with the link to your blog. There is a one week grace period
before and after these dates. After one week the student will receive 0 points for that post.
Written Report and Class Presentation:
Students will be required to write and present a report on a topic pertaining to Mass Media.
You may choose any topic for this assignment as long as it has some relevance to media or
media usage. Your topics can be related to broadcast, print, or internet or other related areas.
Upon determining a topic, submit the topic to the instructor. Do this by writing your name and
your topic on a sheet of paper and submitting to me no later than February 10. The written report
will be 4-8 pages in length using normal margins and font size and should be double spaced.
These should be researched presentations with reliable sources. You must make sure you cite
the sources of information in your paper. Sources that are other people’s opinions are not
reliable as factual sources. However if a source is considered an ‘expert’ on a topic citing them
will be okay. HOWEVER, just because someone writes (or blogs) on a topic doesn’t make them
an expert per se. They must have some credentials or experience to cite them. While
collaborative projects such as Wikipedia may have useful information it is often unreliable.
Avoid it.
Presentations will take place during class on April 11, 13, 18 & 20. There will be three or four
presentations per day. You may request a date for your report but final assigning of dates will be
by the instructor.
Presentations must have some sort of visual component to them. This can be Power Point,
Prezi, a web site, or any other software of the students choosing. Presentations should be 5-10
minutes long. Do not read to the class.
The paper will be worth 50 points judged on writing, depth of the topic, citing of resources as
well as grammar and spelling. The presentation will be worth 50 points based on organization,
oral skills as well as your presentation material. Expect to answer questions after you have
concluded your presentation. Questions from the class must be relevant to the presentation.
Academic Integrity: Each student is expected to engage in all academic pursuits in a manner
that is above reproach. Students are expected to maintain complete honesty and integrity in the
academic experience both in and out of the classroom. Any student found guilty of academic
dishonesty, including cheating and plagiarism, will be subject to disciplinary action.
Attendance: You cannot learn this material if you are not in class. Students are allowed five
absences during the course of the semester. There is no distinction between excused and
unexcused absences. Starting with the fifth absence, the student will lost five percent (5%) of
their final average. If the student misses more than seven class periods, they will not receive a
passing grade. If the instructor feels a student’s attendance or any other action is hampering the
student’s chance for success in the class, the instructor will advise the student to drop the class.
Administrative Withdrawal: The instructor follows the university policy on administrative
withdrawal based on inadequate attendance.
Class Decorum: Students causing distractions in class will be required to leave. Distractions
include, but are not limited to arriving to class excessively late, eating, drinking, talking to others
or being disrespectful. This includes the use of cell phones or other electronic devices during
class or exams, which is prohibited. If you use a laptop or other device to take notes you will
occasionally be asked to email your notes to the instructor. You may not use your cell phone for
note taking. Recording of lectures is not allowed unless you make arrangement with the
instructor. If you are required to leave class you must see the instructor before returning to the
class. Being required to leave class will count as one absence.
It is the policy of Cameron University to accommodate students with disabilities, pursuant to
federal and state law. Students with disabilities who need classroom accommodations must
make their requests by contacting the Office of Student Development at (580)-581-2209, North
Shelper Room 314.
This syllabus should be viewed as a guide. While every attempt is made to provide an accurate
overview of the course, circumstances and events may make it necessary for the instructor to
modify the syllabus during the semester. Any changes to the syllabus are at the discretion of the
instructor and will be made with advance notice and posted on his website.