Mass Communication 3375
Electronic Media Programming

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Study of the principles and strategies of winning audiences for the electronic media: television, radio, cable, satellite and the internet.

COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES:

(1) To understand the history of electronic media programming; (2) to provide a framework for understanding program selection, scheduling and evaluation as practiced by stations and networks; (3) to understand and interpret programming strategies as they are employed by the electronic media industries; (4) to be familiar with the concepts, vocabulary, and practices of programmers; (5) to have experience in analyzing and reporting on programming strategies and the possible ramifications of those strategies; and (6) to encourage students to become more sophisticated consumers of the media.

RECOMMENDED:

Media Programming, Susan Tyler Eastman and Douglas A. Freeman, 8th Ed., Wadsworth Sengage Learning, 2009, ISBN: 13: 978-0-495-50053-7. A copy of the textbook is available on reserve at the Alkek Library.

LECTURE SCHEDULE**:

M-W Section

T-Th Section

Jan. 18 - Review of Syllabus Jan. 23 - Overview of Media Programming Jan. 25 - Unit One, which includes the history of programming Jan. 30 - Unit One (con'td) Feb. 1 - Unit One (cont'd) 1960s Shows of Note & Name That Tune! Feb. 6 - TEST ONE, provided that all Unit One material has been covered. Feb. 8 - Review of Test One and Unit Two (Programming Sources) Feb. 13 - Unit Two, which includes Program Sources Feb. 15 - Unit Three, which includes Program Development Feb. 20 - Unit Four, which includes Program Testing Feb. 22 - Unit Five, which includes Elements of Successful Programming Feb. 27 - Unit Six, which includes Influences Feb. 29 - Unit Seven, which includes Scheduling Strategies March 5 - Unit Eight, which includes Program Evaluation (Ratings. March 7 - Unit Nine, which includes changing/canceling programs March 19 - TEST TWO, provided that all material for Units 2-9 has been covered. March 21 - Review of Test Two & Program Pitch -- an in-class student presentation March 26 - Program Pitch -- an in-class student presentation March 28 - Program Pitch -- an in-class student presentation & Unit Ten April 2 - Unit Ten, which includes Station Programming April 4 - Unit Eleven, which includes Public Television & Radio April 9 - Unit Twelve, which includes Cable Programming April 11 - Cable Network Creation in-class presentation April 16 - Cable Network Creation in-class presentation April 18 - Unit Thirteen, which includes Commercial Radio April 23 - TEST COVERING TWITTER LINKS April 25 - Review Twitter Test & Final Papers Due (Discussion) April 30 - Evaluations & Preview of Final

Jan. 17 - Review of Syllabus Jan. 19 - Overview of Media Programming Jan. 24 - Unit One, which includes the history of programming Jan. 26 - Unit One (cont'd) Jan. 31 - Unit One (cont'd) 1960s Shows of Note, & Name That Tune! Feb. 2 - TEST ONE, provided that all Unit One material has been covered. Feb. 7 - Review of Test One and Unit Two (Programming Sources) Feb. 9 - Unit Two, which includes Programming Sources Feb. 14 - Unit Three, which includes Programming Development Feb. 16 - Unit Four, which includes Program Testing Feb. 21 - Unit Five, which includes Elements of Successful Programming Feb. 23 - Unit Six, which includes Influences Feb. 28 - Unit Seven, which includes Scheduling Strategies March 1 - Unit Eight, which includes Program Evaluation (Ratings) March 6 - Unit Nine, which includes changing/canceling programs March 8 - TEST TWO, provided that all material for Units 2-9 has been covered. March 20 - Review of Test Two & Program Pitch -- an in-class student presentation March 22 - Program Pitch -- an in-class student presentation March 27 - Program Pitch -- an in-class student presentation & Unit Ten March 29 - Unit Ten, which includes Station Programming April 3 - Unit Eleven, which includes Public Television & Radio April 5 - Unit Twelve, which includes Cable Programming April 10 - Cable Network Creation in-class presentation April 12- Cable Network Creation in-class presentation April 17 - Unit Thirteen, which includes Commercial Radio April 19 - TEST COVERING TWITTER LINKS April 24 - Review Twitter Test & Final Papers Due (Discussion) April 26 - Evaluations, & Preview of Final

**The schedule above may be revised as the need arises. For example, we may at times accommodate guest speakers or take time to discuss current events.


ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT LEARNING:

Grades will be determined by four exams and approximately four projects/papers.

ATTENDANCE POLICY:

The School of Journalism and Mass Communication permits faculty members to lower a student's final grade for absences or tardiness.  In this class, students are allowed four absences without penalty. However, if a student has cumulatively missed five times -- excused or unexcused -- before TEST TWO, then his or her score on TEST TWO will be reduced ten percent or one letter grade. If a student has cumulatively missed seven times -- excused or unexcused -- before the FINAL test, then his or her final test score will be reduced ten percent or one letter grade. After the first test (covering history), attendance will be taken using a sign-in sheet during each class. Students must accept responsibility for signing the roll sheet and for keeping count of their absences during the semester. If a student is ever tardy, then he or she must sign the roll immediately after the class to be given credit for attending. 

USING ELECTRONIC DEVICES:

Please turn off or mute your cell phones before the lecture begins. Texting during class is prohibited. If you must text or take a phone call, please leave the room immediately. Laptops/netbooks, etc. are allowed for notetaking. To minimize the distraction that electronic media devices can cause, the two back rows of the classroom are reserved for those who wish to use them.

DROP DATES:
Feb. 1 - Last day to drop with refund
March 22 - Automatic W deadline. Last day to drop a class.
April 19 - Withdrawal deadline. Go to zero hours enrolled.

FINAL: M-W section -- Monday, May 7, 8 a.m, Hines 204
              T-Th section -- Thursday, May 3, 11 a.m., OM 234

If you are a student with a disability certified by the Office of Disability Services and you require accommodation in my class, it is your responsibility to tell me at the beginning of the semester so that accommodation can be provided promptly.

The School of Journalism and Mass Communication commits itself to the preparation of ethical mass media professionals and scholars. Such a mission demands the highest standard of academic honesty and integrity. Violations of academic honesty, including but not limited to plagiarism, collusion, deception, conflict of interest and theft, are not tolerated and can lead to severe penalties. Disciplinary actions for violations of the standards for academic honesty are outlined in http://www.txstate.edu/effective/upps/upps-07-10-01.html

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