1
Goret/ JMS 492 Syllabus / Spring 2014
JMS 492 – Spring 2014
Creative Uses of Emerging Media
M-W -F9:00 – 9:50 a.m.
(Please note some Friday class sessions replaced by online activities)
Location: COM - 105
Instructor: Robin Goret, M.A.
Email: rgoret@mail.sdsu.edu
Office/Hours: PSFA 315, Monday 12:45-2:45
(additional times by appointment)
Course Description: New and often unexpected convergence of media institutions, technology,
and content. New economic and social alliances, uses, and effects.
Expanded Description: This course is structured around answering one question, “What is
technology?”
All of the media industries are adjusting their practices due to the rapid, and seemingly endless,
diffusion of new technologies. Over the course of the semester, we will examine some of these
industries in detail, with a particular emphasis on studying the ways in which media practitioners
are dealing with these technological changes.
In looking at these issues, we will also explore broader, more conceptual issues regarding
technology and its relationship to society. In this regard, we will address such questions as:
 Are technical innovations simply tools that allow us to extend our already existing
practices, or do they make possible entirely new ways of thinking and behaving?
 What is the influence of commercialization upon the innovation and diffusion of new
media technologies?
 How do technologies interact with such issues as race, gender, and class?
Objectives: By the end of this course, you will be able to  Explain the major theories regarding technology and its relationship to society.
 Identify some of the specific challenges facing the media industries due to emerging
technologies.
 Conduct academic research and evaluate sources appropriately.
Required Readings:
Bill Wasik, And Then There’s This: How Stories Live and Die in Viral Culture (Penguin
Books, 2009)
JMS 492 Course Reader 2013-2014 (Note: Make sure you have a current version. The
authors in the reader are – as listed on the Table of Contents, in the following order –
MacKenzie & Wajcman, McLuhan, Meyrowitz, Mosco, and Stubbs)
Media Studies Requirements: Students must have completed JMS 408 and JMS 412, and
earned at least a C in each class. For students pursuing a Media Studies major, they must earn
at least a C in this class as well.
If my official class roster does not indicate that you have met this pre-req, I will email you and ask
that you bring an unofficial copy of your class transcript to the next class meeting.
Policies:
1.
Civility – I expect you to treat your fellow classmates and me with civility. It is fine to disagree,
but do so based on the substance of the argument or the evidence and avoid name-calling as
1
2
Goret/ JMS 492 Syllabus / Spring 2014
a tactic. Please write professionally and like an educated person for all assignments
submitted and messages that may be viewed by others.
2.
Help – I will be quick to answer questions (unless they have been answered already) and to
do all I can to help you succeed. Email is the best way to reach me; I check it frequently.
3.
Online Classroom: This course will have a Blackboard (BB) site, accessible at
https://blackboard.sdsu.edu. Also, all students are expected to have access to e-mail and to
check their e-mail accounts at regular intervals. The instructor will use Blackboard and/or email to facilitate communication with class members and to disseminate information pertinent
to the course, to class sessions, or group work.
4.
PLEASE NOTE: Emails sent through the BB system are automatically routed to the junk mail
folder of some email systems. Thus, you should make sure that the instructor’s email address
appears in your “safe list” so that you may receive emails from the instructor. Also, since many
student emails sent to the instructor from BB may end up in her junk mail folder, please help
the instructor find your messages by noting “JMS 492” in the subject line of your message.
Better yet, please send your email message independently of the BB system.
5.
Appropriate Use: Although the use of new technology should be incorporated into any modern
college course for learning purposes, there are still times when such usage is considered
totally inappropriate. As a result, you are requested not to engage in cell phone calls, IM, SM,
texting, etc., during class. If you must answer a call during class, please step outside the room
BEFORE answering the call and return when done.
6.
Privacy: Please respect the privacy of your classmates and instructor by refraining from voicerecording or photographing them in association with this class. State law restricts the
recording of another individual without his/her knowledge and consent. See also the next
section regarding defamation.
7.
Defamation: If you choose to communicate regarding this course on social networking sites
such as Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, LinkedIn, Storify, Pinterest, etc., please remember to
use discretion. Inappropriate communications have the potential to become privacy issues for
class members and/or the instructor, as well as defamation risks for yourself.
8.
Documented Disabilities: Students who need accommodation of their disabilities should
contact me privately by the second class period to discuss specific accommodations for which
they have received authorization. If you have a disability, but have not yet contacted Student
Disability Services, please do so before coming to see me during my office hours or by
appointment. Student Disability Services is located in room 3101 of the Calpulli Center on
Hardy Ave. (near Cox Arena), and their phone number is 619-594-6473. More information is
available at http://www.sa.sdsu.edu/sds/index.html.
9.
Student Support Services: Many students find that college is a stressful time. Many students
also find that this course in particular is stressful. Combined with social, financial, and familial
pressures, academic challenges can take a toll on anyone, no matter their academic record or
abilities. We all face personal and professional challenges, and students should begin now to
consider matters of work-life balance, so that they can be better equipped to handle such
challenges in the future. If you feel that you need professional assistance with the challenges
you face, you should contact SDSU’s Counseling & Psychological Services:
www.sa.sdsu.edu/cps/index.html or 619-594-5220. Located in the Calpulli Center, Room
4401, this office offers students confidential assistance, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to
4:30 p.m. If you need help outside these hours, you can call the San Diego Access and Crisis
24-hour Hotline at 1-888-724-7240. Other campus emergency services include the Student
Health Services Nurse Advisory Line at 1-888-594-5281 or University Police at 619-594-1991.
10.
Amendments and Addenda: The instructor reserves the right to amend the course syllabus at
any time during the semester; students will be informed of the changes either in class, via
email, or through BB. For example, topics listed in the syllabus may be covered on different
days to accommodate guest speakers, natural disasters, or class needs. Furthermore, you will
receive syllabus addenda that offer specific guidelines for the writing assignments (if any) and
the group project.
2
3
Goret/ JMS 492 Syllabus / Spring 2014
11.
Contractual Nature of this Syllabus: Students who choose to remain enrolled in this course
after the regular schedule adjustment period indicate by their continued enrollment that they
have read and understood the syllabus for this course, and that they accept and agree to
abide by its procedures and policies.
12.
Academic Dishonesty - Plagiarism and Cheating
The University adheres to a strict policy regarding cheating and plagiarism. These activities will not be
tolerated in this class. Become familiar with the policy (http://www.sa.sdsu.edu/srr/conduct1.html). Any
cheating or plagiarism will result in failing this class and a disciplinary review by Student Affairs.
Examples of Plagiarism include but are not limited to:

Using sources verbatim or paraphrasing without giving proper attribution (this can include
phrases, sentences, paragraphs and/or pages of work)

Copying and pasting work from a online or offline source directly and calling it your own

Using information you find from an online or offline source without giving the author credit

Replacing words or phrases from another source and inserting your own words or phrases

Submitting a piece of work you did for one class to another class
If you have questions on what is plagiarism, please consult this helpful guide from the Library:
http://library.sdsu.edu/guides/tutorial.php?id=28&pid=138
Grading:
Your final grade will be based on 500 points. However, the instructor has the final authority on all
grades, and reserves the right to deviate from the various point values listed below when
appropriate.
Exam #1 (Wed Feb. 26)
Exam #2 (Wed Apr 16)
Edublog Assignments (10 total)
Paper #1: Media History (Mar. 14)
Viral Video Assignment (in class screening May5)
Viral Video Analysis Paper (May 7)
Online Portfolio Presence Assignment (May 2)
Paper #2: Final Project (May 12)
50
50
100
60
20
10
10
200
Total
500 points
At the end of the semester, I will take your total number of points and divide by 5. I will then use
the standard SDSU grading scale to determine a specific letter grade. This grading scale is
included below.
Exams:
These exams will be a combination of multiple choice and short answer. I will only give make-up
exams for valid reasons, and will require proof of your excuse. Oversleeping, the inability to find a
parking spot, a previously scheduled vacation, getting a DUI, or other similar reasons are not
valid reasons. If you have an issue or conflict with any of these dates, I will be much more
understanding if you contact me BEFORE the exam in question.
Research Papers:
You will write two papers for this class. The first paper is an exploration into media history,
looking at the public response to the innovation of a new form of electronic communication. This
paper, dubbed the “Media History Paper,” is due on Friday, Mar. 14 at noon via blackboard.
Detailed instructions are posted on Blackboard. The second paper will be your final paper.
3
4
Goret/ JMS 492 Syllabus / Spring 2014
Final Paper:
For the Final Paper for this class, I would like each and every one of you to come with your own
project. On Blackboard, I have posted different options as to the kind of Final Paper that you can
write, though I am also open to some other suggestion that you may have. The ultimate goal is for
you to write, create, or otherwise produce something that is relevant to your own interests and
aspirations. I expect this paper to be the best thing that you have ever written in your
college career.
The Final Paper is due on Monday May 12 at 9:00 PM, though you may submit it to BB at any
point prior to this time. You do not have to wait until the last possible moment. The Final Paper is
worth 100 points toward you final grade.
Group Edublogs:
The class Edublogs project is divided into 10 smaller assignments. Five of the assignments are
Updates and five of the assignments are classified as Analysis. Each of these assignments is
worth 10 points towards your final grade, or 100 points for this entire project. If I feel that your
contribution is not relevant to the class, or indicates something that was done in haste, I reserve
the right to award you less than the full 10 points.
During the first week of class, each of you will be assigned to a particular media industry. First,
we as a group, will determine which media industries will be included in the final list. The list of
potential industries is as follows:
Film
Social Media
Television
Mobile Media
Magazine/E-Publishing
Sports Media
Radio
Newspapers
Live Theatre
Web Television Series
Search Engines
Book Publishing
Video Games
Music Industry
After we narrow down the above list, I will create a blank Edublog template for each media
industry. After we narrow down the above list, I will create a blank Edublogs template for each
media industry. You are required to post some new material to your Group Edublogs five times
during the semester. This material can be a link to a news story, a video clip, a podcast, or
something else that you feel is relevant. Given that the focus of this class is a critical interrogation
of technologies and their relationship to society, you should look for material that pertains to
changes in production, economic, distribution, or consumption practices as related to
technological innovations.
You must include some brief explanation as to why or how you feel this item that you have posted
is important. It is also your responsibility to credit your contribution on the Group Edublog, so that
I can keep track that you have completed this assignment.
See the way the Mobile Media group from Spring 2011 formatted their various updates.
http://jms492-spr11-sect1.wikispaces.com/Mobile+Media
You will access your Group Edublog pages from here:
http://jms492.edublogs.org/
You must add some new material before this date. EACH GROUP MEMBER is responsible for
posting new material to your group’s specific blog by the dates listed below. (That is to say, if
there are three members of the Film Group, then there will be at least 15 pieces of information on
the Film Group Edublog by the end of the semester.)
4
5
Goret/ JMS 492 Syllabus / Spring 2014
Group Edublog Updates, Due Dates:
Friday Jan 31 (noon) Edublog Update #1
Friday Feb 14. (noon) Edublog Update #2
Friday Feb 28 (noon) Edublog Update #3
Friday March 14 (noon) Edublog Update #4
Friday March 28 (noon) Edublog Update #5
The Analysis assignments are related to the Updates. For these assignments, I will post some
instructions on Monday morning on BB, in the Assignment area. These instructions will direct you
to a particular Group’s Edublog page, and ask that you discuss the trends, innovations, or
developments in that media industry in relation to a particular topic. (For example, “How is the
music industry trying to commercialize user-generated content?” or “How does the new revenue
scheme in Industry X relate to the funding of the TransAtlantic Cable?”)
You will submit your observations through Turnitin in the Assignment area of BB. No hard copy
submission of this material is accepted. I will not grade these short writing assignments on
grammar, though I do expect you to devote serious thought to the task. You must write at least
250 words to get the full 10 points. (This is approximately one page of text, double-spaced.)
Edublog Analysis assignments, Due Dates:
Friday Feb. 7 (noon) Edublog Analysis #1
Friday Feb. 21 (noon) Edublog Analysis #2
Friday March 7 (noon) Edublog Analysis #3
Friday March 21 (noon) Edublog Analysis #4
Friday April 11 (noon) Edublog Analysis #5
This entire assignment is worth a total of 100 points, (or 10 points for each update completed by
the appropriate deadline, and 10 points for each analysis.)
Viral Video Project
The challenge is seemingly simple, though also difficult at the same time – create a video and
accumulate as many views on YouTube as possible. You will perform this task in groups of your
own choosing. Each group must have at least 2 students and no more than 4.
This video can be about anything that you like, anything, but it must appropriate for in-class
presentation. The challenge is to create something that you think will generate the most possible
views. What trends are popular right now? What topics in the news might attract viewers? You
are encouraged to use any means at your disposal to generate views.
The videos must be posted to YouTube between the dates of Monday February 3 and Monday
April 14. The purpose of this provision is to create a level playing field, and to disallow videos that
you may have posted on your own several months or even a few years ago. We will watch the
videos in class on Monday May 5 and whichever video has the most views by that date will be
considered the “winning” video.
You should be aware that YouTube does not automatically count views. It may take several days
before the view total is updated, so the earlier you post your video, the better chance you will
have of winning this competition.
It is not necessary that the video feature any members of the group, but the video must be
captured, edited, and uploaded by someone within the group. Taking an excerpt directly from a
TV show or film is not permitted. The video must, in some way, be an original creation.
It is also permissible for a group to post multiple videos. I will only count the view totals from one
video, but you may choose to upload several and then later determine which video you want to
submit for the assignment.
5
6
Goret/ JMS 492 Syllabus / Spring 2014
As part of this assignment, each student is also required to write a two-to-three page paper that
summarizes their contribution to this project. This paper must also explain what insights,
knowledge, or expertise the student acquired while doing this project. The paper is worth 10
points (which are separate from the 20 points for the video itself).
Only the members of the group that created the “winning” video will be eligible for the full 20
points. The members of the group that created the video with the lowest number of views will
receive one point for this portion of the assignment. (Note: this is 5% of your final grade.) The
groups that fall somewhere between the highest and lowest view totals will receive partial credit.
We will be watching these videos in class on Monday, May 5.
Online Portfolio Assignment
See Instructions on Blackboard. This assignment is worth 10 points.
Grade Breakdown:
100 – 93
92.9 – 90
89.9 – 87
86.9 – 83
82.9 – 80
79.9 – 77
76.9 – 70
69.9 – 67
66.9 – 63
62.9 – 0
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
D+
D
F
Note: If you for any reason you are unable to meet the basic course requirements or require
special accommodations, please contact me as soon as possible.
Semester Outline/Schedule:
This outline is subject to revision as the semester progresses. You will receive ample
warning of any significant deviation from this schedule.
Wed Jan 22: Introduction to Class
Friday Jan 24: Online Discussion Board: How digital media amends older technology
Monday Jan 27: Choosing of Groups for Class Edublog and Viral Video Project and discussion
of Online Portfolio Presence Assignment.
Attendance this day is critical!!
Wed Jan 29: Theories of Technology Part 1
See the MacKenzie & Wajcman essay in Course Reader
Friday Jan 31: Edublog Update #1
6
7
Goret/ JMS 492 Syllabus / Spring 2014
Monday Feb 3: Theories of Technology Part 2
See McLuhan and Meyrowitz in Course Reader
Wed Feb 5: History of the Telegraph
See Mosco in Course Reader
Friday Feb 7: Edublog Analysis #1
Monday Feb 10: Telegraphy’s Corporeal Fiction
See Stubbs in Course Reader
Wed Feb 12: Telegraph and the Civil War
Friday Feb 14: Edublog Update #2
Monday Feb 17: The Patent Paradox
Wed Feb 19: Discussion of the Wasik Book
Friday Feb 21: Edublog Analysis #2
Monday Feb 24: Review for Exam #1
Wed Feb 26: Exam #1
Friday Feb 28: Edublog Update #3
Monday Mar. 3: Meetings with Professor, Final Project Part One
Wed Mar. 5: Meetings with Professor, Final Project Part One
Friday Mar. 7: Edublog Analysis #3
Monday Mar. 10: The Web is Evil
Wed Mar. 12: In-Class Entrepreneur Project
Friday Mar. 14: Edublog Update #4
Media History Paper Due
Monday Mar. 17 Interactivity & Technology
Wed Mar. 19: Trends in TV
Friday Mar. 21: Edublog Analysis # 4
Monday Mar. 24: Radio & Music & Technology:
Wed Mar. 26: Trends in Video Games
Friday Mar 28: Edublog Update #5
SPRING BREAK March 31-April 4 – NO CLASS
7
8
Goret/ JMS 492 Syllabus / Spring 2014
Monday Apr 7: Trends in Mobile Technology
Wed Apr 9: Online Portfolio Presence Assignment Discussion
Friday Apr 11: Edublog Analysis #5
Monday Apr 14: Review of Exam #2
Wed Apr 16: Exam #2
Friday Apr 18:Online Activity TBD
Monday Apr 21: No regular in-class meeting, follow up with Professor
Wed Apr 23: No regular in-class meeting, follow up with Professor
Friday Apr 25: Progress Report on Final Project Due Online
Monday Apr 28: TBD
Wed Apr 30: Guest Speaker – Magali Cohen, PWC
Friday May 2: Viral Video Paper Due, Online Activity
Monday May 5: In-Class Screenings of Viral Videos
Wed May 7: TBD
Monday May 12: Final Paper due at 9 p.m. via Turnitin on Blackboard
8