SOUTHERN MAINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
2 Fort Road, South Portland, Maine 04106
Title: Introduction to Mass Communications Course Syllabus & Outline
Credit Hours: 3--Total Contact Hours: 45
Catalog Number: CNMS 105
Instructor: Julie Kingsley, Ms.Ed.
Twitter @juliekingsley
Email : jkingsley@smccme.edu
Time: 1/12/15 – 5/9/15 1:30 to 4:25 PM
Course Description:
We can watch the media as detached outsiders––as observers, we can praise them when
they perform well and blame them for our social predicaments. Or we can become active
participants–-we can analyze the impact and investigate the consequences of the stories
that media industries tell and sell. We can challenge our media to perform at high levels and
steer them to serve and preserve democratic ideals. And as involved citizens, we can be
aware of the consequences of the business of media and we can give voice to the issues that
matter most to us and that most affect our daily lives. Each week in this class, students will
be armed with the tools necessary to navigate this cultural terrain. Students will be asked to
participate in the critical work of evaluating mass media and shaping their direction.
Required Materials
Text: Media & Culture, An Introduction to Mass Communication, (2012 update), Campbell,
Martin, Fabos.
ISBN:0-312-47824-0
Always come to class prepared to write and bring computer if possible. In class
assignments will often be graded and must be made up within two weeks.
Test Schedule
a. Periodical, unannounced quizzes
b. Midterm Exam (project/presentation)
c. Final Exam (project/presentation)
Grading Policy
Homework
Projects/Exams
Participation/attendance
Midterm/Final
20%
30 %
10 %
40 %
Assignments
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Assignments will be given each week and are due at the start of class the following week.
At times you will be asked to work in teams. Ten points will be deducted for each day you
are late on any given project. I will not accept work after five days unless a plan is in place.
Format
All assignments should be printed on 8.5 x 11 inch TYPED page, double spaced in 12 point
Times New Roman with your name and date due single spaced and flush left at the top of
the page. Five points will be deducted from your grade if not in the proper format.
Course Policies
You are required, as stated in the college handbook, to attend all classes. A portion of your
grade is determined by your attendance and active participation. Your grade will be
affected by tardiness and absences. It is SMCC policy that if you have 3 consecutive
unexcused absences then I must give you an Administrative Failure and report this to the
dean of the college. This syllabus is subject to change.
Academic Dishonesty
Plagiarism and cheating are serious offenses and may be punished by failure on exam, paper
or project; failure in course; and or expulsion from the University. For more information
refer to the "Academic Dishonesty" policy in the University Undergraduate Catalog.
Nondiscrimination Statement
Southern Maine Community College does not discriminate in its education and employment
programs on the basis of age, race, color, gender, sexual orientation, national origin,
disability, or religion. The College complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title
IX Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. Inquiries regarding Title VI and Title IX may
be made to:
Affirmative Action Officer Southern Maine Community College 2 Fort Road
South Portland, ME 04106 Telephone (207) 741-5798
If you have a disabling condition and wish to request accommodations in order to have
reasonable access to programs and services offered by SMCC, you must register with the
ADA Services, Southern Maine Community College, 2 Fort Road, South Portland, ME 04106,
Telephone (207) 741-5629, TTY (207) 741-5667
Note: This syllabus is subject to change.
Extra Credit: the text is an excellent source of information. For extra credit you may
always do questions at the back of the each chapter.
MASS MEDIA AND THE CULTURAL LANDSCAPE
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Week #1
January 12, 2015
Mass Communication: A Critical Approach
Class Activity and Discussion: Review of class policies, procedures, expectations and
syllabus.
Sir Ken Robinson’s Paradigms of Education Discussion.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZFcDGpL4U&noredirect=1
What do we already know? What do we need to learn?
Watch: Did you Know?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmwwrGV_aiE
Activity:
The Evolution of Technology and the Human Race. Search for the best example of
what the Internet has to offer (under three minutes). Share. Group yourselves on
the cultural skyscraper of high to low culture.
Question: Is the Internet making us smarter or not?
Social Media Platform. What is your on-line life? The Foundations of Mass
Communications. What does it mean for us in a connected world? The Internet,
Digital Media Convergence.
Blogging, Tweeting, Facebook, etc. How to make real connections in a virtual
world?
How do you build an effective platform? Why?
What type of platform do you plan on building?
Homework:
1.)
Read Chapter 1 & 2 Write twenty facts that you find interesting. Come
prepared to share these facts with a small group.
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2.)
Email me your vision of yourself when you are completed this program.
Week #2
NO CLASS!
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Week #3
January 29, 2015
Discussion:
Google Cookies & Privacy
(If you miss class please write a report on this issue)
Sounds and Images
How does music evoke feelings? How to harness for Mass Communications?
http://bandcamp.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqG55HdmKTE
Take a musical trip through history. Harnessing music for your own evil good!
(This can also be done for credit if you miss class—two page summary)
Quiz: Use music to tell a story.
Dr. Emote: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAvzsjcBtx8
Homework: Read Chapter Three & do the Questioning the Media Questions.
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Week #4
February 2, 2015
Share the music quizzes.
Review.
(You must be here to get credit. If not, you’ll need to work independently)
Radio
Nicola Tesla.
Ethical Broadcasting. Talk Radio. Shock Jocks. Radio Shows.
Race the clock radio show. Group project. (This is a graded participation grade)
Homework:
Pick One:
1.) Create a Podcast and bring it into class to share
2.) Write an one-page synopsis about three podcasts that you enjoy.
Also:
Read Chapter Five—Television. Answer questions 12 to 15 under The
Economics of Television.
Class #4
February 9, 2015
Twitter Mini-Lesson
Prepare for TweetChat during Ragged Isle.
Television and the Power of Visual Culture
Chapter review. Class Activity and Discussion: Review podcasts.
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Television Activity: To stay or a dying form of media?
(In Class Group Activity and Presentations)
Best show activity.
Ragged Isle--www.raggedisle.com
(If you miss this you must write a summary of the first five episodes)
Review Midterm. 48 Hours On/48 Hours Off.
Homework:
1. Complete project template for midterm exam.
2. Start tracking your 48 hours of media use.
3. Review: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/06/fashion/vampingteenagers-are-up-all-night-texting.html
4. Write a short reaction of your thoughts.
Week #5
February 16, 2015
No Class-President’s Day
Week #7
February 23, 2015
This is your Brain on Media!
Class Activity and Discussion: Internet addiction.
Miss Representation. Reaction essay (written in class- Participation Grade)
Homework:
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1.) Prepare for the midterm project!
Week #7
March 2, 2015
Turn it On~Turn it Off
Midterms Presentations
*****THIS IS 20% OF YOUR GRADE.
***** IT IS DUE AT THE START OF CLASS AND TEN POINTS WILL BE DEDUCTED BY
DAY FOR LATENESS
Viral Video Groups Selection
Homework: Prepare for the going viral slam. (QUIZ GRADE). Bring in ideas,
props, and cameras if you have them.
Week #8
March 9, 2015
No Class-Spring Break
Week #9
March 16, 2015
Movies
The history of the movies
First movie memory activity
Activity: Analyze movies throughout time. How do they reflect culture/politics?
Share scenes favorite scenes. Discussion on what makes a great movie scene great?
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Get into Viral Video Slam Groups.
Homework:
1.) Watch ten viral videos. Summarize them. Write a paragraph about what
makes them work.
Week #10
March 23, 2015
Viral Video Slam
Students work in small groups to create, film, block videos.
Then make a social media communications plan to try to get the most hits.
(This is a quiz grade. If you miss it make a video and try to make it go viral)
Homework:
1.)
Utilize social media connections to see who gets the most hits on the videos.
Be ready to share.
2.) Read the publishing chapter and answer the Questioning the Media
Questions.
Week #11
March 30, 2015
Blogs and Magazines.
William Randolph Hearst
The history of magazines
The future of blogs.
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Activity:
1.) Review effective blogs
2.) Review Magazines.
Which one?
Work in groups to create your own concept.
Figure out how much it costs to run a magazine.
Affiliate marketing vs. traditional marketing
Publishing Industry.
Classwork: How to get published?
Banned Books. Book Trailers, Books Impact.
Advertising. Controversy.
Homework: Read the Advertising Chapter. Do QTM in the back of the chapter.
Week #12
April 6, 2015
WE MAY NEED TO REVISE SYLLABUS AROUND THIS POINT.
Advertising
What is now?
Viral Video Ads
The history of embedded advertisements
Public Relations. Framing the Message.
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Homework: Read Framing the Message chapter- Do questions under
Questioning the Media.
Week #13
April 13, 2015
FRAMING THE MESSAGEPublic Relations
Differing POV’s
Conspiracy Theory Activity
Public Relations. Framing the Message.
Homework: Prepare for final project. Review end of the class notes for end of
the year assessment.
Week #14
April 20, 2015
NO CLASS-PATRIOT’S DAY
Week #15
April 27, 2014
Review of Semester
Final Project Work Session
Test.
Homework: Final Project
Week #15
May 4, 2015
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Final Projects Due.
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