FOLSOM CORDOVA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
Folsom High School Course Expectations 2013-2014
Course: Media Production 1
Instructor: Mr. Scott Southard
355 – 1174 ext 3803
ssouthar@fcusd.org
Course Description:
Students will study media production as both an art form and a means of communication. The specialized
vocabulary of video, audio and film, will be studied and used to express ideas orally, in drawings, and
writing. The students will study the history of mass media, in particular television, and the technological
advances over time in the art form.
Students will utilize PC computers along with digital video cameras and digital media editing software to
produce a variety of video projects for viewing district-wide, and for regional competitions. Students will
write and produce live television shows in various formats for campus cablecast.
Global Program Studies: Students will compare and contrast examples of media from around the globe
including film and television from the US, Latin America, India, Japan, and China.
Common Core: Media Productions courses follow the new State CTE Anchor and Pathway Standards to
strengthen core literacy and math skills by providing rigorous assignments and projects. Students will also
develop a comprehensive understanding of college and career readiness for the Media Arts.
Textbook: Video: Digital Communication and Production, 2nd Ed., Jim Stinson, Goodheart- Wilcox
Company, 2008. Students also use the online television production cybertext found at
http://www.Cybercollege.com. This online resource is free to students and educators and contains a vast
amount of information pertinent in this course.
Needed materials and requirements
• 2 DVD-Rs with cases. The cases may be the paper kind or plastic. Please be sure that the discs are
DVD-R not DVD+R. These will be needed at the end of each semester for portfolio projects. Students
may store them in the Media Lab.
• A Login and Password for the campus network.
• An email address you can check every day.
• One slim folder with approximately 50 sheets of lined paper, dedicated to this class for class notes and
project instructions. Students will keep this folder in class.
• Blue or black ink pen AND a pencil EVERYDAY. Get this out before you lock up your back pack.
• Students may use their own digital video cameras at their own risk. The rules regarding personal
electronics are in your PAWS handbook pages 34, 39 & 41. READ THEM.
Methods of Evaluation:
Attendance/Tardies
Students will be in class on time and in their seat or at their assigned station working on the posted
assignment when the bell rings. Please refer to your PAWS handbook pg 24 for the school policy.
Participation
Students must participate to learn. The instructor is here to guide students in understanding the material.
The student must be an equal partner in the process! Participation is one quarter of the student’s grade.
Part of participation is how one interacts with others, also known as Citizenship.
Citizenship
ALL students are expected to show respect for school, staff, other students and one’s self. Respect for
school property is imperative as the students will be using very expensive equipment. Citizenship marks
will be assigned as described in your PAWSport page 15, O for Outstanding through U for
Unsatisfactory. NOTE: Students will be filming assignments on campus during class time and/or
throughout the day. Students may NOT film ANYONE with out their consent or knowledge (Ed Code
48901.5). Consent forms are available in your production packets. All students must have permission to
leave the class for filming during class time. Students are not allowed to leave the classroom without
signing out and the instructor’s explicit knowledge and permission.
Make up work
Students are expected to make up all missed work following an excused absence. It is up to the students
to find out what assignments were missed and make it up in a timely manner. Late work will be graded
down for unexcused absences. No make up work will be given or accepted for unexcused absences or
school suspensions.
Homework and assignments
Most of the assignments can be done in class, provided students use their time wisely. Many assignments
require the students to work in teams. When working in groups each student is graded individually, but
every member of a group also receives a group grade.
NOTE: Media production in the real world happens ON TIME and on budget. Assignments and projects
must be turned in on or before the due date. If an assignment is late without an excused absence, it will
be graded down one grade per class period it is late until no credit is given. Projects rely on all group
members to be in regular attendance. Don’t let your team down!
Tests and Quizzes
Quizzes on book chapters and practical equipment quizzes will be given periodically. Midterms and
finals will be combined with project completions and DVD portfolios. The Academic Honesty Policy
described in the PAWSport page 21 will be strictly enforced on all class work, tests, and quizzes.
Grades
Grades are given based accumulated points for each semester. This includes homework, in-class work,
quizzes, tests, projects and class participation. Detentions, classroom suspensions, or poor use of class
time will result in loss of points. See note above regarding late work.
A= 90%-100% B=80%-89%
F=59% and below
C=70%-79%
D=60%-69%
Extra Credit
Many opportunities will be given for students to earn extra credit outside of regular assignments. This is
NOT meant to take the place of class assignments.
Computer use in the classroom
Students are allowed to use the computers for media production only. Students and parents sign a
contract describing appropriate behavior. No game playing, or going to gaming related web sites.
Students who are caught playing games or using the computer for personal or inappropriate use (i.e.
Facebook, Ebay, etc..) will be subject to disciplinary procedures in accordance with Ed code 48900 (K)
Defiance PAWSport pg 32.
Back packs, cell phones, ipods, music players, and games must all be turned OFF and put away at
all times in the media lab. There is a locked storage closet in the Media Lab. All backpacks and phones
will be stored there daily.
No food or drink is allowed in the Media Production classroom or production facility, aside from clear,
unflavored bottled water. No gum chewing is allowed on campus. Students will be subject to
disciplinary procedures in accordance with Ed code 48900 (K) Defiance PAWSport pg 32.