| Dr.
Tim England Old Main 306 Phone: 245-3904 england@txstate.edu |
Summer
II 2011 ONLINE using TRACS |
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.
REQUIRED:
Students taking this class are required to have access to a computer with high speed Internet access. Computers and Internet access are available on both the San Marcos and Round Rock campuses. You will also be required to use TRACS to access course materials and exams. If you are not adept at using TRACS or downloading the necessary programs that will make it possible for you to review the materials prepared for this course, then this online version of Electronic Media Programming may not be advisable for you.
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Since this course is designed for ONLINE presentation, you will not be attending class. All of the materials will be e-mailed to you. The e-mails will provide links to the study materials that will complement the units. Although you will not be meeting with the professor, you will be expected to cover the assigned units in a timely fashion. Tests will be available online only on the dates listed below (See Summer II schedule). It is essential for you to cover the material ahead of these assigned test dates.
HOW TO SUCCEED:
The reading assignments and exam dates are scheduled below. Exams will cover textbook chapters, lectures and videos. You should download and listen to the .swf (Shockwave) files, playable using your browser or with a Flash playback program). You should also download and review the notes provided in the .ppt (PowerPoint) files. And you should watch the assigned videos and listen to the audio clips. Take notes. Some of the test questions will come from the audio/visual components.
GRADING:
Four exams will be given during the summer session. The first four exams will consist of 25 multiple choice statements and will be available only on TRACS. Once you begin the test on the assigned date, you will have 25 minutes to answer all of the questions. You may submit your response only once. See the schedule below for the dates you may take these tests.
ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT LEARNING:
Grades will be determined by four exams and one paper.
| Test One
Test Two Test Three Test Four Critique |
20%
20% 20% 20% 20% |
CRITIQUE ASSIGNMENT:
The paper assignment must be submitted by Aug. 5. In your paper, describe the impact that television programming has had on American culture. Has the impact been largely positive or mainly negative? Choose ONE theme to make your case: violence in society, news, stereotypes (racial, ethnic, sexual orientation), childhood obesity, family values, social interaction. You may choose a different theme, if you wish, but the point is: Focus on one. Take a stand. If you want to be a critic, then assume the role. There is no right or wrong answer, but you should attempt to be persuasive.
Write at least four paragraphs. You may send your critique to me by e-mail, provided that you send it as the body of the message. E-mail attachments will NOT be accepted nor opened. Put your name in the subject line and send the critique to england@txstate.edu. Your critique will be posted on a blog: http://elecprog.blogspot.com/
|
SUMMER II SCHEDULE: Note: Exams are offered on TRACS, under Assessments. You will need to know the material before you take the tests. There won't be enough time to look up answers. Each test is timed. Once you start the exam you will have 25 minutes to complete it. |
| July 6-July 11 | Listen to the lecture on history, which is on
the .swf file that I send. Download the PowerPoints (ppts) to review the slides and the underlying notes. Watch the assigned videos and listen to the audio clips. |
| July 12 - 1st Exam - (covering Unit One) - 20% |
| July 13-July 19 | Listen to the lectures, which are the .swf files
that I send. Download the PowerPoints (ppts) to review the slides and the underlying notes. Watch the assigned videos and listen to the audio clips. |
| July 20 - 2nd Exam - (covering Unit Two) - 20% |
| July 21-July 27 | Listen to the lectures, which are the .swf files
that I send. Download the PowerPoints (ppts) to review the slides and the underlying notes. Watch the assigned videos and listen to the audio clips. |
| July 28- 3rd Exam - (covering Unit Three) - 20% |
| July 29-Aug. 5 | Listen to the lectures, which are the .swf files
that I send. Download the PowerPoints (ppts) to review the slides and the underlying notes. Watch the assigned videos. |
| Aug. 8- 4th Exam - (covering Unit Four) - 20% |
|
Your final grade will be the average of the four exams taken on TRACS and your critique. Each is given equal weight. |
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