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JMS 200 – Spring 2015
Introduction to Contemporary Media
M-W-F 8 – 8:50am
HH 130
Instructor: Noah Arceneaux, Ph.D.
Email: noah.arceneaux@sdsu.edu
Phone: 619-594-3236
Office/Hours: PSFA 334, Tuesdays 10:30am – 12:30pm
(additional times by appointment)
Course Description: Mass media and emerging forms of niche media in the global community.
Theories, structures, functions, practices, problems, interrelationships, economics, critical
analyses, history, and ethics.
Expanded Description: This GE course is one of two “Foundations of Learning” courses that
you will take in the area of Social and Behavioral Sciences. When you complete this area, you
will be able to:
(1) Explore and recognize basic terms, concepts and domains of the social/behavioral sciences
(2) Comprehend diverse theories and methods of the social/behavioral sciences
(3) Identify human behavioral patterns across space and time and discuss their interrelatedness
and distinctiveness
(4) Enhance your understanding of the social world through the application of conceptual
frameworks from the social/behavioral sciences to first-hand engagement with contemporary
issues
Specifically, this course is designed to provide students with a basic understanding of
contemporary media (mass media) in the United States. Discussions will include information
about current practices, problems, issues, developments and significant trends. Special
emphasis will be placed on the economic, political, societal and organizational aspects that affect
contemporary news media organizations. Topics will include history, roles and responsibilities,
theories, contributions of minorities and women, ethics, legal rights and restrictions, news
elements, advertising, public relations, photojournalism and the structures/procedures of
newspapers, magazines, radio stations and television stations. The film industry, recording
industry, book publishing, online communications, network/cable television and global
communication issues will be covered, too.
LEARNING OUTCOMES/OBJECTIVES: Each student will be able to:
(1) List and define the elements of the major models of communication, especially mediated
communication, plus analyze how such models can be used to improve the quality and
effectiveness of communication
(2) List and define the major roles and responsibilities of media organizations, plus evaluate how
well media organizations live up to such roles/responsibilities
(3) List and define the major theories of media effects, plus analyze the strengths and
weaknesses of such theories
(4) List and define the major news media theories, plus analyze the strengths and weaknesses of
such theories
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(5) List and define the major economic models used to support media organizations, plus
describe how convergence and consolidation are affecting such models
(6) List and define the major structures associated with media organizations, plus evaluate the
effectiveness of such structures
(7) List and define the major news elements/values, plus analyze how such elements/values
contribute to news decision-making
(8) List and define the major types of newsgathering opportunities, plus describe how quality
news professionals could/should practice their craft
(9) List and define the major types of news stories, plus evaluate how effective news
professionals are in reporting such stories
(10) List the major findings from research studies associated with the content of media products,
especially news media products, plus discuss how such findings could/should be used to improve
media content
(11) List the major classifications of newspapers, magazines, books, radio stations, television
stations, online organizations, film companies, recording companies, advertising agencies, and
public relations agencies, plus speculate about how such classifications are changing in the
Information Age
(12) List the major statistics associated with newspapers, magazines, books, radio stations,
television stations, online organizations, film companies, recording companies, advertising
agencies, and public relations agencies, plus suggest ways such statistics can be used to
improve media content
(13) List the major jobs associated with newspapers, magazines, books, radio stations, television
stations, online organizations, film companies, recording companies, advertising agencies, and
public relations agencies, plus analyze how new media are changing traditional jobs
(14) List and define the major legal issues, rights and restrictions associated with mediated
communication, plus evaluate how effective U.S. laws are in guaranteeing freedom of
speech/press and protecting the rights of citizens
(15) List and define the major ethical issues and problems associated with mediated
communication, plus analyze how effective codes of ethics/standards of practice are in
guaranteeing ethical practices in the various mediated professions
(16) List and define the major issues, problems and solutions to problems associated with
mediated communication, plus suggest innovative alternative strategies for dealing with
issues/problems in mediated communication
(17) List the major historical figures in the development of the various forms of mediated
communication
Required Readings:
Contemporary Media, 4th Edition (Kendall Hunt, 2008), K. Tim Wulfemeyer
The New York Times
You can choose either a digital subscription or the print version. Note: Signing up for the
printed paper also give you online access.
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Use the following link to sign up for a discounted subscription:
http://homedelivery.nytimes.com/HDS/CMHome.do?mode=CMHome&CampaignCode=393W8
Clickers/Participation Tools: Clickers will be used to facilitate in-class interaction, to monitor
the understanding of lecture material and to keep track of in-class participation.
You are required to obtain a clicker as a learning resource (just like a required textbook). Use of
your clicker is part of the course participation requirement. You must purchase and register your
clicker prior to the class meeting on Monday February 2. Unless you’re told differently, bring
your clicker to class every day prepared to participate. For our class, you will register your clicker
via Blackboard. More information on the registration process for your clicker can be found by
going to http://clicker.sdsu.edu.
You will earn 1 point for each “answer attempt.” This means that you do not need to answer the
question correctly, but you do need to submit an answer. This portion of the grading scheme
accounts for 100 points. Over the course of the semester, I will ask well over 100 questions, and
you only need to answer 100 of them to get the full credit for this portion of the class.
A student may NOT use another student's clicker, “loan” his/her clicker to another student, or use
more than his/her OWN clicker in class. Violators may be assigned a failing grade in the class
and will be reported to university officials for additional sanctions.
Policies:
 Prior to each lecture, I will post a Word document with lecture notes on BlackBoard.
These notes are not intended to be a substitute for attending class, though I do believe
that they make taking in-class notes easier. (Note: These notes include only the text from
my PowerPoint presentations, as I found from past experience that posting the entire
PowerPoint files is time-consuming and less helpful.)
, personal grooming, and any other activity that might distract your classmates.
 If your mobile phone rings more than once during the semester, I reserve the right to
deduct points from your final grade.
 Students are responsible for all material presented in class, on BlackBoard, and in the
readings. Material on the exams will be drawn from all of these sources. (So simply
reading the lecture notes will not be sufficient.)
 Exams will use the thin red Scantron form, aka F289. You are allowed to use your
notes, either handwritten or typed. You may not use the textbook during the exam, nor
any kind of electronic device.
 Throughout the semester, I will use the class BlackBoard site to post announcements,
reminders, and other material relating to the course. If an item is of particular importance,
I will make sure that the information is emailed to everyone enrolled in the class. It is your
responsibility to keep up with this information and regularly check the email address that
is associated with your name.
 Hotmail accounts have been known to filter out BlackBoard announcements as spam.
 The lectures last only 50 minutes. It is assumed that during this brief amount of time,
you will refrain from browsing the internet, texting, or any other activity that may distract
your classmates.
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
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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
Disability
If you are a student with a disability and believe you will need accommodations for this class, it is
your responsibility to contact Student Disability Services at (619) 594-6473. To avoid any delay in
the receipt of your accommodations, you should contact Student Disability Services as soon as
possible. Please note that accommodations are not retroactive, and that accommodations based
upon disability cannot be provided until you have presented your instructor with an
accommodation letter from Student Disability Services. Your cooperation is appreciated.
Grading:
The instructor has the final authority on all grades, and reserves the right to deviate from the
various point values listed below when appropriate.
Your final grade will be based on 500 points. Do not be confused by anything else that
appears on BlackBoard.
Clicker questions
Quizzes (Based on material in NYT, Five total)
100 points (maximum)
50
Exam 1 (Feb. 18) Multiple Choice
Exam 2 (March 25) Multiple Choice
Exam 3 (May 8) Multiple choice
100 points
120
130
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. There may be extra credit opportunities that arise as the semester progresses
though this is entirely up to my discretion.
Make-Up Exams
I will only allow students to miss regularly scheduled exams for extremely compelling, valid
reasons, and will require proof of your excuse. Oversleeping, the inability to find a parking spot, a
conflicting work schedule, a previously scheduled airline flight, getting a DUI, or other similar
reasons are not valid excuses. I strongly encourage you to examine the schedule at the end
of this syllabus before making any travel arrangements.
If you have an issue or conflict with any of these dates, you must contact me BEFORE the exam
in question.
Quizzes
There will be five brief quizzes during the semester. These quizzes will be on predetermined
Fridays (see the schedule below for dates), and each quiz will be based on material that
appeared in the New York Times Media & Advertising section on Monday – Thursday of that
particular week.
http://www.nytimes.com/pages/business/media/index.html
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There are no make-up dates for these quizzes. If you have a valid reason for missing class on the
day of a quiz (such as being part of a university athletic team that is traveling), let me know as far
in advance as possible.
NYT Quiz Dates
Friday Feb. 13
Friday March 6
Friday March 20
Friday April 10
Friday April 24
Final 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 21 – Introduction
Friday Jan 23 – No Class
Mon Jan 26 – Ch. 1 Introduction
Wed Jan 28 – Ch. 2 Theory of Media / Effects
Friday Jan 30 – Ch. 2 Theory of Media / Effects
Mon Feb 2 – Ch. 4 History of News Media
Beginning of Clicker Questions
Wed Feb 4 – Ch. 4 History of News Media
Friday Feb 6 – Ch. 4 History of News Media
Mon Feb 9 – Ch. 14 Legal Issues
Wed Feb 11 – Ch. 15 Ethics
Friday Feb 13 – Follow-up to Chapters 14 & 15
NYT Quiz #1 (10 points)
Mon Feb 16 – Review for Exam #1
Covering chapters 1, 2, 4, 14, 15
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Wed Feb 18 – Exam #1 (100 points)
Friday Feb 20 – No Class
Mon Feb 23 – Ch. 9 Television
Wed Feb 25 – Ch. 9 Television, Guest Lecture about local TV news
Friday Feb 27 – Humor & Journalism
Mon March 2 – Ch. 8 Radio
Wed March 4 – Ch. 8 Radio (cont’d)
Friday March 6 – Follow-up lecture
NYT Quiz #2 (10 points)
Mon March 9 – Ch. 5 Newspapers
Wed March 11 – Ch. 5 Newspapers / Online Publishing
Friday March 13 – Ch. 6 Magazines
Mon March 16 – Ch. 11 Film Industry
Wed March 18 – Documentary Films
Friday March 20 – Follow-up lecture
NYT Quiz #3 (10 points)
Mon March 23 – Exam #2 Review
Covering Chapters 5, 6, 8, 9, 11 + Humor & Journalism, Documentary Films
Wed March 25 – Exam #2 (120 points)
Friday March 27 – No Class
Mon March 30 - Spring Break
Wed April 1 - Spring Break
Friday April 3 - Spring Break
Mon April 6 - Ch. 13 Advertising
Wed April 8 – Ch. 13 Advertising (cont’d)
Friday April 10 – Follow-up lecture
NYT Quiz #4 (10 points)
Mon April 13 – No Class, Instructor at conference
Wed April 15 – No Class, Instructor at conference
Friday April 17 – Report from National Association of Broadcasters Convention
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Mon April 20 – Ch. 12 Public Relations
Wed April 22 – Ch. 12 Public Relations (cont’d)
Friday April 24 – Follow-up lecture
NYT Quiz #5 (10 points)
Mon April 27 – Sports & Journalism
Wed April 29 – Alternative Media Outlets
Friday May 1 – No Class
Mon May 4 – Film screening
Wed May 6 – Exam #3 Review
Thursday May 7 – last day of classes
Exam #3: Monday May 8, 8:00am (130 points)
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