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Los Angeles Harbor College
FALL 2015
Journalism 105 – Mass Communications
0252 Lecture, T, Th: 9:35 a.m. to 11 a.m., NEA 217, 3 units
Instructor: Shanna Zareski, BA, MA
Email: zaresks@lahc.edu
Class Website: http://jclass105.weebly.com/
Office: NEA 268
Office Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. by appointment
I. Course Description
This course is a survey and evaluation of the mass media with special attention given to interpretation and analogies
of ethical and legal issues. Students will examine and assess arguments related to newspapers, magazines, radio,
television, motion pictures and advertising and evaluate their impact on society and the individual.
II. Required Text
Dominick, Joseph R. (2012). Dynamics of mass communications: media in transition, (12 th Edition)
McGraw-Hill Each section reading is to be completed prior to the class session.
Copies of the textbook are on reserve at the library. Rental books (9th Edition) may be available at www.chegg.com
III. Required Items
2 Scantrons Type 882-E – For midterm and final exams
IV. Email
ALL email communication from instructor will be sent to the address assigned to each student by LAHC ending in
@student.laccd.edu. It is your responsibility to check your campus email every day.
V. Food and Drinks
Absolutely NO food or drinks (other than water) are allowed in classrooms.
VI. Student Learning Outcomes:
1. Students will understand the functions, impact, effects and skills of various mass media that include, but are
not limited to radio/television, newspapers, magazines, websites and the Internet.
2. Through study, students will become critical thinkers and intelligent consumers of mass media.
3. Students will gain a working knowledge of the roles of mass communication in society.
To view Los Angeles Harbor College Student Learning Outcomes, visit:
www.lahc.edu/facultystaff/slo/institutionalslo.html
VII. Attendance
Attendance is MANDATORY and part of your final grade (see below). You will NOT excel in this course if you do not
attend ALL class meetings. Absences will only be excused if you email the instructor PRIOR to the class session to
be missed. An “excused” absence means you may make up a missed exam, but not unannounced quizzes, the group
presentation, nor attendance points. Students who enter the class after the official starting time or leave class
early without PRIOR notification to the instructor will be marked absent for that particular day. By
registering for this course, you have made the commitment to attend every class session. If you cannot
fulfil that commitment, this is not the course for you.
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VIII. Cell Phones and Other Electronic Devices
Use of cell phones and other electronic devices is NOT permitted in this course, unless otherwise indicated by the
instructor. You may NOT take pictures of the notes displayed on either PowerPoint or the dry erase board. If you are
caught using a cell phone or other device (texting etc.) in class, you will be asked to leave the room immediately and
you will receive an unexcused absence for the day. If you are caught a second time, you will be dropped from the
course. By registering for this course, you have made the commitment to yourself, your classmates and the instructor
to be mentally present and engaged during each class session.
IX. TurnItIn.com
All grades during this course are recorded on TurnItIn.com. It is YOUR responsibility to register on TurnItIn.com
TODAY and check your account on a regular basis to view your individual grades, missing assignments, attendance
and ongoing progress. Please make an appointment with me during office hours to discuss questions you may have
regarding any exam, quiz, assignment etc.
How to Register on TurnItIn.com
- Go to www.turnitin.com
- Log in (if you already have an account)
OR
- Click "Create Account'' at the top
- Class ID: 10036750
- Class Enrollment Password: J105
- Please be sure to enter your LAHC email address. This is the one ALL mass emails will be directed to.
X. Grading
Individual instructors establish grading criteria for each class. The division posts its grading standards outside the
division office. Each student should familiarize him/herself with the standards, minimum skills and expectations.
Remember: I don’t “give” grades; YOU EARN them.
Final grades for the course will be assigned on the following basis:
Attendance (1 point for each class session) = 30 points
Questions for Guest Speakers or TED Talk Written Answers (10 points each) = 80 points
5 Unannounced Critical Thinking Quizzes (20 points each) = 100 points
Midterm Exam = 100 points
Final Exam = 100 points
Presentation Outline = 20 points
Group Media Presentation = 100 points
Written Audience Questions During 8 Presentations (5 points each) = 40 points
Final Grade = 570 points maximum
511-570 points = A
454-510 points = B
397-453 points = C
340-396 points = D
339 points and below = F
Attendance: Attendance is MANDATORY. Again, you will NOT excel in this course if you do not attend ALL class
meetings. Absences will only be excused if you email the instructor PRIOR to the class session to be missed. An
“excused” absence means you may make up a missed exam, but not unannounced quizzes, the group presentation,
nor attendance points. Attendance will be taken by sign-in sheet. Do NOT sign in for another student who is absent,
arrives late or leaves early. If you do so, neither you nor the student you signed in for will receive attendance points
for the day.
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Guest Speakers: This semester we have 7 guest speakers tentatively scheduled to visit our class. These people
have agreed to take time out of their schedules to share their real-world experience with you. This is a unique
opportunity to gain a glimpse into the industries that you may consider for a future career. It is our job to represent
the Harbor College community in a positive light and help ensure our guests visit the campus in future semesters.
Our tentative guest speakers this fall:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Nina Polvanich Louie, Internet/Social Media (blogging/Internet/social media)
Julie Buxbaum, book author (Books)
Josh Stecker, editor/publisher of San Pedro Today and San Pedro Beacon (Magazines & Newspapers)
Evan Greene, Chief Marketing Officer of the Grammy Awards (Sound Recording)
Matt Manfredi & Phil Hay, screenwriters/producers (Motion Pictures)
TBD – possibly Danny Zuker, executive director of Modern Family OR Jim Patterson, television
writer/producer of Two and a Half Men (Television)
Jamie Levey, Senior Art Director - Deutsch Inc. advertising agency (Advertising)
Unannounced Quizzes (5): Unannounced critical thinking quizzes are designed to ensure you are keeping up with
the reading. Be sure to complete the assigned chapter reading prior to the class session. Each unannounced quiz will
consist of 1 question to be completed with a short written answer. Answers will be discussed in class after quizzes
are turned in. You will receive a zero if you are absent or late to class. No make-ups for unannounced quizzes.
Exams (2): Each exam will consist of true/false, multiple choice, and short answer questions.
Group Media Presentation: See Attached.
Audience Participation during Group Media Presentation: See Attached.
Late Work: All assignments are due according to dates noted on syllabus or indicated by the instructor. Late work
will not be accepted unless prior arrangements have been made with the instructor.
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Communications Division & Class Policies
Plagiarism: Plagiarism is a form of cheating. Any student who uses the published or unpublished writing,
ideas, and/or words of another person without crediting the original author will receive a FAIL for the
assignment. Further disciplinary actions may be taken. If a student copies from another student’s paper or
exam, this is also plagiarism. In this case, both students will fail the assignment. All plagiarized essays
and exams will become the property of the division.
Attendance/Tardiness: Attendance is MANDATORY and will be taken. This is the college policy. If a
student is absent for more than the hours that a class meets per week, or if there is irregular attendance
or a pattern of absences, the instructor has sufficient cause to drop a student from class. For example, if
a course meets 3 hours a week, then a student is allowed a maximum of 3 absences. More than 3
absences may result in a drop. It is your responsibility to notify the instructor of an absence
PRIOR to the class session you will miss. Students who enter the class after the official starting time or
leave class early without PRIOR notification to the instructor will be marked absent for that particular day
– be on time. If a student is absent the first and/or second class meeting of the first week of the semester,
the student will be dropped from the class.
Group Discussion Questions: The second part of each class time will be spent discussing a
predetermined question related to the lecture topic for that day. The questions are included on the
syllabus. It is your responsibility to come to class prepared to actively participate – some discussion
questions may require prep work (e.g. Keep a media diary for a day.). You will discuss the question
amongst your group members, after which your designated group leader for the day (take turns) will
share the group’s conclusions with the class.
Students with Disabilities: Students with disabilities, whether physical, learning, or psychological, who
believe that they may need accommodations in this class, are encouraged to contact Special Programs &
Services as soon as possible to ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely manner.
Phone number: 310-233-4629. Room: Cafeteria 108.
Electronic Communications Devices Policies: Electronic communication devices, including cell
phones, smart phones, PDAs, tablets and other devices must remain off during class time. Exceptions
may be considered by faculty consultation (i.e. family emergency discussed with the instructor prior to
class). First offense may result in the student being suspended from the class for one meeting. Repeated
offense may result in up to a two-day suspension from the class pending a conference with the vice
president of student services.
Use of cell phones and other electronic devices is NOT permitted in this course, unless otherwise
indicated by the instructor. You may NOT take pictures of the notes displayed on either PowerPoint or the
dry erase board. If you are caught using a cell phone or other device (texting etc.) in class, you will be
asked to leave the room immediately and you will receive an unexcused absence for the day. If you are
caught a second time, you will be dropped from the course. By registering for this course, you have made
the commitment to yourself, your classmates and the instructor to be mentally present and engaged
during each class session.
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Tentative Semester Schedule
The instructor reserves the right to alter or change course assignments and/or schedule.
You will be expected to have read the text assignments and prepare for group discussion questions and
other assignments before the day on which they are listed here.
Week 1
Tuesday, September 1: Introductions and Expectations – 1 attendance point
- Review of syllabus
- Introductions
o Name
o Interesting bit of information about yourself (family, etc.)
o Current job
o Expectations of the class—what do you expect to get out of the class
o Projected career path
- Intro to Mass Communication - PP
If you are adding this class, you MUST turn your add slip into admissions TODAY. You will be
excluded if you don’t appear on the roster. Bring the carbon copy to me on Thursday.
Thursday, September 3: Internet & Social Media and Guest Speaker Prep: Nina Polvanich Louie – 1
attendance point
- Dominick, Chapter 4
- Discussion Question: Can you think of a specific impact the Internet and social media has
had? Explain. Examples: Ice Bucket Challenge for ALS disease, Olympic coverage, a natural
disaster, elections, gang violence etc.
- Guest Speaker Prep: Nina Polvanich Louie
o Facebook Interview:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/8kvi7rrf0tgntn0/FB_savenina_final.mov
o Save Nina Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ninaneedsyou
o Huffington Post Blog: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nina-polvanich-louie/
o Save Nina website: http://www.savenina.com/
o Los Angeles Times article: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-nina-cancer20130711-dto,0,1774085.htmlstory#axzz2uTrS75W6
o NBC News San Francisco: http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Save-NinaCampaign-Goes-Viral-With-Hollywood-Help-210625421.html
o NBC News Los Angeles: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Donor-DriveSave-Nina-South-Bay-Times-Square-213355591.html
o Nina’s Light the Night fundraising page:
http://pages.lightthenight.org/calso/UCLA14/NPolvanichLouie
You will be excluded if you are absent today (or were absent on Tuesday), and your spot will be
given to another student.
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Week 2
Tuesday, September 8: Guest Speaker: Nina Polvanich Louie (Internet & Social Media) – 1
attendance point
- Homework Due at End of Class Today: 10 typed questions for Louie (10 points)
Thursday, September 10: Newspapers and News Gathering & Reporting – 1 attendance point
- Dominick, Chapter 5 and 13
- Group Discussion Question: Why don’t young people read newspapers? What, if anything,
could newspapers do to recapture this audience segment? How often do you read the
newspaper? Which one? Which sections?
The last day to drop class (in person) without receiving a “W” is Thursday, September 10.
The last day to drop class (online) without receiving a “W” is Sunday, September 13.
Week 3
Tuesday, September 15: Magazines and Guest Speaker Prep: Josh Stecker – 1 attendance point
- Dominick, Chapter 6
- Group Discussion Question: Playboy, Cosmopolitan, and Ms. —three magazines that
influenced social trends—all came on the scene before 1980. Are there any more current
magazines that have been influential in shaping American culture and society? If not, why
not?
- Guest Speaker Prep: Josh Stecker, publisher/editor of San Pedro Today (magazine) and San
Pedro Beacon (newspaper)
o San Pedro Today: http://www.sanpedrotoday.com/
o San Pedro Beacon: http://www.sanpedrobeacon.com/
Thursday, September 17: Guest Speaker: Josh Stecker (Magazines & Newspapers) – 1
attendance point
- Homework Due at End of Class Today: 10 typed questions for Josh Stecker (10 points)
Week 4
Tuesday, September 22: Books and Guest Speaker Prep: Julie Buxbaum – 1 attendance point
- Dominick, Chapter 7
- Group Discussion Question: What do you prefer – a traditional ink-and-paper book or an ebook? Why?
- Guest Speaker Prep: Julie Buxbaum, book author
o Author website: http://www.juliebuxbaum.com/
o The Opposite of Love: http://www.amazon.com/The-Opposite-Love-RandomReaders/dp/0385341237/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1408484295&sr=82&keywords=julie+buxbaum
o After You: http://www.amazon.com/After-You-Random-ReadersCircle/dp/0385341253/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1408484254&sr=81&keywords=julie+buxbaum
Thursday, September 24: Guest Speaker: Julie Buxbaum (Books) – 1 attendance point
- Homework Due at End of Class Today: 10 typed questions for Julie Buxbaum (10 points)
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Week 5
Tuesday, September 29: Overview of Group Presentations – 1 attendance point
- Topic Assignments (randomly assigned)
- Dates to Present Assigned (randomly assigned)
- Use the rest of class for your first group meeting
Thursday, October 1: Library Orientation – MANDATORY (even if you have been to one before) – 1
attendance point
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Class will meet at regular time (9:35 a.m.) in the Library Instruction Lab
Librarian will spend approximately 45 minutes going over research tips to help you with the
group presentation. Any remaining time will be used to meet in groups.
Week 6
Tuesday, October 6: Radio – 1 attendance point
- Dominick, Chapter 8
- Group Discussion Question: Listen to the radio stations in your market. Are there audience
segments in the market that are not being served?
Thursday, October 8: TED Talk and In-Class Assignment – 1 attendance point
- TED Talk: How the News Distorts Our Worldview – Alisa Miller, head of Public Radio
International
- Written Assignment – Due at end of class (10 points): What will be the long-term result of this
distorted world view?
Week 7
Tuesday, October 13: Presentation Outline Due (20 points) – 1 attendance point
- Each group will submit an outline and give a general overview to the class on what you are
planning to cover in your presentation. Class will give feedback and pose questions/points
that you may consider in your final presentation.
- Turn in one typed outline per group. Include all group member names and presentation topic.
This assignment is worth 20 points and is a check-in to help you stay on track. If you are
absent today, you will NOT receive any points even if your group turns in an outline.
- Any remaining class time will be used to incorporate class recommendations into your
presentation.
Thursday, October 15: Review for Midterm – Chapters 4, 5, 13, 6, 7 & 8 – 1 attendance point
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Week 8
Tuesday, October 20: Midterm – Chapters 4, 5, 13, 6, 7 & 8 (100 points) – 1 attendance point
Thursday, October 22: Sound Recording and Guest Speaker Prep: Evan Greene – 1
attendance point
- Dominick, Chapter 9
- Group Discussion Question: What are the ethical implications of downloading and sharing
music from file-sharing services? If you have ever downloaded music illegally, did you feel
guilty doing it? Why or why not?
- Guest Speaker Prep: Evan Greene
o CMO of the Grammy Awards
o Bio: http://www.imediaconnection.com/profiles/iMedia_PC_Bio.aspx?id=38066
o Forbes article/interview:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/jenniferrooney/2013/12/06/behind-the-scenes-grammyscmo-evan-greene-on-keeping-the-awards-show-hot/
o CMO.com interview:
http://eu.cmo.com/articles/2014/7/28/the_recording_academ.html
o Billboard.com article: http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/1098818/recordingacademy-chief-marketing-officer-evan-greene-talks-grammy-social
Week 9
Tuesday, October 27: Evan Greene (Sound Recording/PR) – 1 attendance point
- Homework Due at End of Class Today: 10 typed questions for Evan Greene (10 points)
Thursday, October 29: Motion Pictures Pictures and Guest Speaker Prep: Matt Manfredi &
Phil Hay – 1 attendance point
- Dominick, Chapter 10
- Group Discussion Question: Will movie theaters still exist in 20 years? Or will people watch
movies in their homes on big HDTVs?
- Guest Speaker Prep: Matt Manfredi & Phil Hay, screenwriters/producers
o Matt Manfredi – IMDB page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0542062/
o Phil Hay – IMBD page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0006534/
Week 10
Tuesday, November 3: Guest Speakers: Matt Manfredi & Phil Hay (Motion Pictures) – 1
attendance point)
- Homework Due at End of Class Today: 10 typed questions for Matt Manfredi & Phil Hay (10
points)
Thursday, November 5: Broadcast Television and Guest Speaker Prep (tentative) – 1
attendance point
- Dominick, Chapter 11
- Group Discussion Question: Review "Critical/Cultural Issues: The Bachelor". Consider the
following. The Bachelor has a female counterpart in The Bachelorette. Ratings for The
Bachelorette have not been as good. Can you think of any reasons why? Are there other
reality programs that utilize a fairy tale theme?
- Guest Speaker Prep (Tentative)
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Week 11
Tuesday, November 10: In-Class Group Meeting Day – 1 attendance point
Thursday, November 12: Guest Speaker OR TED Talk – 1 attendance point
- TED Talk – The Conscious of Television – Lauren Zalaznick.
- Written Assignment – Due at end of class (10 points): Do you believe TV reflects our
conscience and collective mood as a society? Why/Why not?
Week 12
Tuesday, November 17: Public Relations, Advertising and Guest Speaker Prep (Tentative) – 1
attendance point
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Dominick, Chapter 14 and 15
Group Discussion Question: How much faith does the public have in the credibility of PR
professionals? Why?
Group Discussion Question: Is it right to advertise to children? If you think it is appropriate to
advertise to children, what special considerations, if any, should be applied to such ads?
Guest Speaker Prep: Jamie Levey, Senior Art Director - Deutsch Inc. advertising agency
o
o
o
Levey is a senior art director at Deutsch Inc., a full-service advertising agency. She has
worked on several advertising campaigns, including Anthem Blue Cross, HTC, Volkswagen,
Fresh & Easy, 911 day, Taco Bell, Dr. Pepper and Target.
Portfolio/Resume Link: http://jamielevey.prosite.com/100364/gallery
Deutsch Inc. Link: http://www.deutschinc.com/
Thursday, November 19: Guest Speaker – Jamie Levey (Advertising) – 1 attendance point
- Homework Due at End of Class Today: 10 typed questions for Jamie Levey (10 points)
Last day to drop class (in-person) with a “W” is Thursday, November 19.
Last day to drop class (online) with a “W” is Sunday, November 22.
Week 13
Tuesday, November 24: Presentations (100 points) – 1 attendance point
- Group 1: 9:40 a.m. – 10:10 a.m. – Newspapers
o Audience members: As you are listening to the presentations, write down 5 new
things you learned and turn in at end of class (5 points)
- Group 2: 10:20 a.m. – 10:50 a.m. – Magazines
o Audience members: As you are listening to the presentations, write down 5 new
things you learned and turn in at end of class (5 points)
Thursday, November 26: Thanksgiving – No Class
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Week 14
Tuesday, December 1: Presentations (100 points) – 1 attendance point
- Group 3: 9:40 a.m. – 10:10 a.m. – Books
o Audience members: As you are listening to the presentations, write down 5 new
things you learned and turn in at end of class (5 points)
- Group 4: 10:20 a.m. – 10:50 a.m. – The Internet
o Audience members: As you are listening to the presentations, write down 5 new
things you learned and turn in at end of class (5 points)
Thursday, December 3: Presentations (100 points) – 1 attendance point
- Group 5: 9:40 a.m. – 10:10 a.m. – Radio
o Audience members: As you are listening to the presentations, write down 5 new
things you learned and turn in at end of class (5 points)
- Group 6: 10:20 a.m. – 10:50 a.m. – Sound Recording
o Audience members: As you are listening to the presentations, write down 5 new
things you learned and turn in at end of class (5 points)
Week 15
Tuesday, December 8: Presentations (100 points) – 1 attendance point
- Group 7: 9:40 a.m. – 10:10 a.m. – Motion Pictures
o Audience members: As you are listening to the presentations, write down 5 new
things you learned and turn in at end of class (5 points)
- Group 8: 10:20 a.m. – 10:50 a.m. – Television
o Audience members: As you are listening to the presentations, write down 5 new
things you learned and turn in at end of class (5 points)
Thursday, December 10: Review for Final Exam – 1 attendance point
- Chapters 9, 10, 11, 14 and 15
FINAL EXAM – Thursday, December 17 – 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – 1 attendance point
(Chapters 9, 10, 11, 14 and 15 = 100 points)