Mass Media
Syllabus
2014-2015
Instructor Information:
Teacher:
Emily Ellis
Room:
Belle Vernon Area High School, Room AUD 5
Contact:
Phone:
Email:
Website:
http://www.bellevernonarea.net/bvahs
Required Text:
NONE
Extra Help Time:
Before school every day starting at 6:30 and after school by
appointment only
724-808-2500; ext. 2155
emily.ellis@bellevernonarea.net
Course Description:
This is a survey class designed to ground the students in the workings of today’s modern media.
Exploring the roots of mass media, students will trace the development of books, magazines,
radio, newspapers, television, cable, internet and new media delivery systems. Societal
impacts are explored throughout each unit and real life challenges are given. Students dive into
the process and theories behind mass media creation leading to the media coverage we see
every day. Broadening their understanding of mass media on society, students will make
variety of items including but not limited to advertisement, newspapers, news packages, and
stop motion films. Research and analyzing of information with take place as students discover
media effect on society. Using various different technology and equipment, student will learn
the importance of censorship and critiquing sources and the validity of information that media
sources put out. Ethics and regulations are discussed in relations to mass media.
*Subject to Change
Course Objectives:
By the end of this course, the successful student will be able to:
1. Think through the design process and apply knowledge of current technology software
and manufacturing machines to produce their finished designs in a safe and ethical
manner.
2. Describe the operation of data, voice, wireless, and optical communication systems and
their convergence
3. Create information in a variety of mass media and formats such as web design, digital
video, digital audio, and digital photo imaging
4. Define, describe, analyze, and evaluate the development, timeline, and function of mass
media to gain a perspective of the pervasive and influential effect of mass
communication on modern life around the globe.
5. Analyze and evaluate the communications models that explain the dynamics of mass
media
6. Analyze and evaluate how the major media functions
7. Analyze and evaluate the effect on a democratic society of contrasting media issues
8. Explain the impact of specific legislative and Supreme Court decisions affecting mass
media
Academic Honesty:
Any work submitted by the student shall be his/her own. Work taken from others shall be
deemed as unacceptable. Any doubts will initiate the completion of an alternative assignment
or a zero on the required effort, depending on the severity of the infraction.
Class Policies and Expectations:
Students will:
1. Attend class daily, arriving on time. Tardiness, without a pass,
will be reported to the office
2. Complete tasks in an honest fashion.
3. Expend effort, show enthusiasm, and participate
4. Be personally responsible
5. Bring needed materials to class daily and immediately take
you assigned seat
6. Personally keep track of all grades
7. Regularly inform parents of academic standing
8. Be respectful to all substitutes
9. Protect/respect all computerized equipment. Students must follow internet usage
policy. (see student handbook) Students caught using computer for reasons other than
associated with classroom assignment (during assignment) will fail that assignment.
Example: Playing games or on Craigslist during instructional or work time. Students who
change settings on computer will not receive help until settings are set back
10. Perform work in an orderly and neat manor
11. No Food or drink – Food and drink don’t mix well with computers.
12. No Electronic devices - Prohibited. Unless required in lesson. Ex. Use cell or digital
camera to capture videos or photos when requested.
13. Follow all lab policies and procedures – Lab policies and procedures are posted
throughout the lab. They are then discussed, reviewed and tested in great detail within
each course. This includes (but is not limited to) machine/material/tool use, clean up
procedures, behavior, lab dress code, and the safety of the individual students and
class. Violation of any of these policies/ procedures will not be tolerated. Any violations
will be reported to the office and will result in an immediate and permanent removal from
class. All students will be closely supervised in classroom and lab situations. It is
extremely important that the parent/guardian emphasize, to their child, the importance of
appropriate behavior in all lab situations to support classroom instruction. Approved
safety glasses
14. Follow rules and regulations stated in BVA handbook
Course Grading Criteria:
All quizzes, tests, and projects will be graded according to the Belle Vernon Area School District
grading policy. Total points will be accumulated for all evaluated efforts in this class rather than
having letter grades per each effort. The grading scale is as follows:
A
B
C
D
F
-
90-100
80-89
70-79
60-69
0-59
Emphasis will be on formal assessments. Therefore grades will be weighted.
Formal Assessments will account for 90% of a student’s grade (quizzes, tests, projects,
performance-based rubrics, essays, graded homework, etc.)
Informal Assessments will account for 10% of a student’s grade (homework for completion,
class participation, exit tickets, etc.)
Assignments per Quarter:
Quizzes (Key Terms) = 25 pts each
Practice Worksheets= 5-10 pts each
Rough Copies = 10 -15 pts each
Final products= 30 pts each **
Presentations = 50 pts **
Final Portfolio=100 pts
TOTAL POINTS = 400 Points (approximate)*
*Assignments or assessments may vary due to pace of class and individualized
instruction.
**Quantity and type of activities change each year.
Academic Standards:
Students will be reacquainted with the Pennsylvania Academic Standards that have been
adopted by the Department of Education, along with the Common Core Standards that are in
the process of being implemented nationwide. Students will be made aware of the importance
of the standards and the efforts to meet them.
Edline:
If
Grades will be updated every Friday on Edline. If you lost or cannot remember log in
information, please contact our Child Accounting Department at 724-808-2500 ext. 1108.
Schoolwires (Website):
My website will be updated every Friday. Course Topics, Assignments, and Quizzes and Tests
are also posted weekly.
The following signatures state that all parties are aware of the preceding syllabus.
Student Signature____________________Date_______________
Parent Signature_____________________Date_______________
Teacher Signature____________________Date_______________
Course Outline*:
1st Quarter
What is Mass media?
a. History
b. Past, present, and future
c. Types
I.
II.
Print
a. Books
i. History
ii. Impact
iii. Applications
b. Newspapers
i. History
ii. Impact
iii. Applications
c. Magazines
i. History
ii. Impact
iii. Applications
III.
2nd Quarter
Film
a. Movies
i. History
ii. Impact
iii. Applications
b. Television
i. History
ii. Impact
iii. Applications
I.
II.
Audio Media
a. Recordings
i. History
ii. Impact
iii. Applications
b. Radio
i. History
ii. Impact
iii. Applications
III.
IV.
Internet
a. History
b. Impact
c. Applications
Ethics and Laws
a. Cases
b. Impacts
c. Laws and regulations
Self-Promotion
d. Final portfolio
*Order and topics may vary due to pace of class and individualized instruction.