3 credit hours, Fall, 2002

Dr. Janet McMullen Office: CB 121 PH. 765-4914

Last Updated: 11/22/02

TEXTS:

• Smith, Leslie., Wright, John. And David H. Ostroff. Perspectives  on Radio and Television:Telecommunication in the United States.5^th ed.  LEA: 2002  or previous edition. 

• Grant, August and Jennifer. H. Meadows., editors.  (2002) Communication Technology Update.  Focal Press: New York.

• Gorham, Joan, ed.  Annual Editions: Mass Media 02/03 (2002)  Dushkin:Guilford, CT.

• Broadcasting and Cable Magazine.***

***Student subscriptions will be available from Dr. McMullen.

OPTIONAL READING:

Additional READING is EXPECTED. Students are required to read at least one book related to the subject matter of the course and write a book review on it. Books should be approved by the instructor PRIOR to reading. Additional reading and book reviews are encouraged and evaluated on an extra-credit basis. Suggested Optional Reading Titles are available in local campus bookstores. See attached page for partial optional reading list.

OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE:

This course is designed to give the student a general understanding of the fundamental history and operation of electronic and film communication systems, including such areas as regulation, programming, social responsibilities and effects.

COURSE OPERATION:

The course will have a basic lecture-discussion format. Prompt attendance and participation in class discussions are expected. All assignments will be turned in at the BEGINNING OF CLASS on the date due. Late assignments will be penalized as follows:

• Late same day -- one letter grade
• Late one day -- two letter grades
• Late two days -- three letter grades.

Announced and unannounced quizzes will be given at the beginning of the class period. Questions will not be repeated for latecomers, nor will make-up quizzes be given. Reading assignments are clearly listed in the syllabus. Reading should be completed by the date listed. In electronic media, TIME IS MONEY. Get used to being ON TIME.

GRADES:

EXAMS: Three exams will be given.  They will be constructed of combination of multiple choice, short answer, and essay questions. The last exam may be administered on a regular class day or during the final exam period. The date of the exam will be announced in ample time to prepare for the test.  Value of each exam:100 points.

In addition there will be three short take-home exams over material in the Technology Update. These will be valued at 50 points each.

PAPER: Each student will complete one research paper of at least 10 pages in length. The paper will utilize APA style and be typewritten without mechanical errors. Topic must be approved by the instructor. Papers will be evaluated regarding the completeness of research, thoughtfulness, clarity, and professional presentation. Value: 100 points.  

APA STYLE guidelines can be found at several places on the web:  One good site which offers several links is : http://www.psychwww.com/resource/apacrib.htm  .  

A cite which deals with APA style for  online citations is : http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/online/cite6.html 

QUIZZES: Quizzes will be given frequently, sometimes announced and sometimes not announced. They will cover reading material assigned and class discussion.

BOOK REVIEWS: Each student will complete at least one book review. Books should be approved by the instructor; see Dr. Mc for suggestions, if you have a problem finding a book. The review should NOT SIMPLY list the contents of the book but should be a discussion of the students THOUGHTS ABOUT THE BOOK, REACTIONS TO IT, and WHY the book is SIGNIFICANT or IMPORTANT to the student. Reviews should be no less than four pages and no more than six in length. Reviews will be TYPEWRITTEN, double-spaced and free of mechanical errors. Students will submit TWO copies of the review. One will be returned, and the other will remain in my file. VALUE: 50 pts.

EXTRA CREDIT: Additional work may be done to earn extra credit. Projects include a book review (3 to 5 pages) or short topic paper (5 to 8 pages). Each is valued at 25 points. A maximum of 50 extra credit points will be allowed in this class.  Students may earn 15 points extra credit by doing a "tag along" day at a television or radio station.  Dr. McMullen must be notified BEFORE you arrange the station visit.  In order to receive credit, you must set up the visit, write a 3 to 5 page description and evaluation of your day and what you learned.  Have the person with whom you "tagged along" sign an appropriate form evaluating your participation and professionalism during that day.  I will also offer extra credit options as they occur.  For example, if media professionals are visiting campus, you may earn extra credit by attending an event at which they speak.

Bonus Extra Credit: Dr. Mc may offer bonus points from time to time for special assignments. These assignments are voluntary and may include a media journal, interviews, or special viewing. Maximum value 10 points.

Students may earn 5 extra credit points by determining their learning styles.  A web address will be provide here.  You may go to the side, take a short exam, and print off the results.  Turn those in to me, and I will record your extra credit and return the page to me.  You.take the test at The Active Learning Site --  http://www.vark-learn.com/questionnaire.htm   This is a great way to learn how to maximize your time studying!  

Plagiarism:  Because of recent concerns about plagiarism, the ready availability of material on the net, and occasional confusion about what constitutes plagiarism, all students will turn in all written work in hard copy and electronic format. Work should be saved in Microsoft Word, a text format (.txt) or Rich Text Format (.rtf).  If or when the University subscribes to an online service to check for plagiarism, students will be required to upload their work to the service site by the appropriate due date in lieu of turning in a disc to Dr. Mc.  ANY use of another person's ideas, work or words without their permission or credit given to them is plagiarism.  If in doubt....DON'T.  Any work which is plagiarized will automatically receive an "F." If the plagiarism is intentional or blatant, the student may receive an "F" for the course.  Students should be aware of the university policy concerning this issue and the serious consequences which may result from engaging in plagiarism.

Communication:  You will be given a sheet with my office and home telephone number.  Please try not to call at home after 9 p.m. I have voice mail at school, so you can always leave a message there.  If there is a significant reason to call me at home, you certainly may do so.  I have never had students abuse that privilege, nor do I expect that any of you will, so if you need to speak with me, you may call me at home.

Course Links:
These course links are offered for your edification. They do NOT substitute for reading the material or attending class.  Many of these lectures will be updated during the year, so be sure to get the CURRENT lecture.  Check the dates at the top of the page.

Course Schedule  (This link will be activated within the next few days.)

The History of Radio 

Study Guide to War of the Worlds

The Development of Television

Guidelines for writing Term Papers for Dr. Mc

Guidelines for writing Book Reviews for Dr. Mc

Keyword Study Guide for Exam 1  

Development of Cable and New Media

Essay Questions for Exam 1

Economics of Broadcasting

Advertising

Programming

Essay Questions for Exam 2

Audience Research

Technology Study Guide

Impact of Media: Crash Course in Mass Com Theory 

Impact of Media: News  

Effects of Television on Politics

Impact of Media: Miscellaneous Effects

Impact of Television on Children:

Impact of Television Violence:  

Regulation of Electronic Media:   Because we have been pressed for time, we will discuss regulation only briefly in class.  However, you are responsible for the material in your text book, and I will provide a brief regulation study guide:

Optional Reading Titles for book reviews and extra credit reading -- Enjoy!!!:

Many have been Ordered into Book Stores this Semester.  This list may be updated during the semester as additional books are discovered.

• Hewitt, Don.  Tell Me A Story: Fifty Years and 60 Minutes in Television.  Perseus: 2002 1-58648-141-X paper $15.00 (Adopted/rec)

• Marinovich, G. and J. Silva.  The Bang Bang Club: Snapshots from a Hidden War.  Perseus, 2001 ISBN 0-465-04413-1

• Webster,  James G. Ratings Analysis.  LEA: 2000 IBSN: 0-8-58-3099-5 paper

• Sterling, Christopher and John Michael Kitross. Stay Tuned: A History of American Broadcasting, 3^rd ed.  LEA: 2001 

• O’Keefe., Daniel.  Persuasion: Theory and Research.  2ns ed.  Sage:2002 076193539-2

• Altheide, David. Creating Fear: News and the Construction of Crisis.  Gruyter: 2002  ISBN: 0-202-30660-7

• Grodin, Debra and Thomas Lindloff.  Constructing the Self in a Mediated World.  Sage: 1996

• August Grant, ed. COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY UPDATE, 8th ed  2001 or newest.
• Hill, Annette, Natural Born Killer: Risk and Media Violence. University of Luton Press, 1999.
• Hill, Annette. Shocking Entertainment: Viewer Response to Violent Movies. University of Luton Press, 1997.
• Mickleson, Sig. The Decade That Shaped Television News: CBS in the 1950s. Praeger Publishers, 1998.
• Dunham, Corydon B. Fighting for the First Amendment: Stanton of CBS vs. Congress and the Nixon White House. Praeger Trade: 1997.
• Winfield, Betty Houcin and Sandra Davison. Bleep! Censoring Rock 'n' Rap Music. Greenwood Press, 1998.
• Foerstel, Herber. Banned in the Media: A Reference Guide to Censorhip in the Press, Motion Pictures, Broadcasting and the Internet. Greenwood Press, 1998.
• Rose, Tom. Freeing the Whales: How the Media Created the World's Greatest Non-Event. 1989.
• Garner, Joe. We Interrupt This Broadcast: The Actual Broadcasts of the Events that Stopped Our Lives. ISBN: 1570713286.
• Hoover, Stewart. Religion in the News. Sage, 1998.
• Lindner,  Broadcasting Realities. Bonus Books; 1999. ISBN 1-56625-114-1
• Price, Monroe. The V-Chip Debate. Lawrence Earlbaum, 1999.
• Sivulka, Juliann. Soap, Sex and Cigarettes: A Cultural History of American Advertising. Wadsworth, 1998.
• Surette, Ray. Media, Crime and Criminal Justice: Images and Realities, Second Edition. Wadsworth, 1998.
• Braverman, Jordan. To Hasten the Homecoming: How Americans Fought World War ii Through the Media. Madison Books, 1997. ISBN 1-56833-047-2.

The following a bit older, but still excellent reading!

• Bermeirer, Horts, and Rainer E. Lotz. Hitler's Airwaves: Inside the Story of Nazi Radio Broadcasting and Propaganda Swing. Yale U. Press, 1997 (this is a difficult read, but worth it if you're interested)
• Brinkley, David. David Brinkley: A Memoir. Knopf, 1991 ISBN: 0-679-40693-x (paper if possible)
• Cronkite, Walter. A Reporter's Life, U 1996
• Tom Lewis, EMPIRE OF THE AIR (paper) Harper Collins, 1991 ISBN 0-06-18215-6
• Peter Boyer, WHO KILLED CBS (paper) St. Martin's Press, 1989, ISBN 0-312-91531-4) Out of Print
• Gwenda Blair, ALMOST GOLDEN (paper) Avon, 1988, ISBN 0-380-70752-7
• Braverman, Jordan. To Hasten the Homecoming: How Americans Fought World War II through the Media. U. Press of America, 1996
• Could, Stanley and Lynn Olson.. The Murrow Boys. Houghton-Mifflin, 1998
• Marshall, Gary. Wake Me When It's Funny. Adams., 1995.
• Dennis, Everette E. and John C. Merrill Media Debates: Issues in Communication. 2nd. ed. Longman Publishers: White Plains, NY, 1996 ISBN: 0-813-1739-8
• Marshall, Gary Wake Me When It's Funny. Adams, 1995. 1-55850-526-1 Heaton, J. and N. Wilson. Tuning in Trouble Jossey-Bass 1995 0-7879-0106-7
• Koppel, Ted and Gibson, Lyle. Nightline: History in the Making and the Making of Television. 1995 Random 0-8129-2478-9 Time Books. Random.
• Rather, Dan. The Camera Never Blinks Twice. 1994 Morrow
• Smith, Perry. How CNN Fought the War: A View from the Inside. paper 12.95 1-55972-090-5 Birch Ln. Pr.
• Trotta, Liz. Fighting for Air: In the Trenches with Television News. 0-8262-0952 U of Mo Press.
• Safer, Morley, Flashbacks: On Returning toViet Nam. Random House: New York, 1990
• For your information and edification:
• A Pocket Style Manual, by Diana Hacker. Bedford Books, St. Martin's Press, 1993 ISBN: 0-312-08380-7 (10 copies)
• Television Careers: A Guide to Breaking and Entering by Linda Farris Buy the Book Enterprises, 1995 (Fairfax, CA )

NOTE: Dr. Mc had ordered dozens books into the library that would work for extra credit reading. Some titles are listed on this web site.

If you select a book which the book store has ordered, but they are out of stock, please let Dr. Mc know as soon as possible. We should try to make a list of titles and numbers needed so they can be ordered as soon as possible.

Copyright, 2002

Dr. Janet McMullen

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