Journalism 30
Communications in Society
Drake University-Spring Semester
2004
Prof. Robert D. Woodward
Ellis and Nelle Levitt Distinguished Professor of Journalism
This is an exciting time for students of mass communications. As we enter the 21st Century, the communications world is exploding with changes and opportunities--so much so that even the experts are having difficulty in determining what will happen in the next decade or two. This environment provides an excellent opportunity for studying the communications world.
Journalism 30 is a survey course of communications in society. It's intended to broaden your knowledge of the vast changes and the many opportunities. Through lectures, class discussions, videotapes and readings, you will be presented with an overview of communications--both historical and contemporary. You will learn more about your areas of communications interest, and you will be introduced to new possibilities. You will be provided with a solid understanding of the importance of news in a democratic society. You will learn about information and technological literacy, and your readings and class discussions will introduce you to the seven traditional media plus the newest medium of the Internet and the World Wide Web.
By the end of the semester, you should have a new appreciation of the communications world and a stronger understanding of where you might fit into it as a working professional and/or as a citizen-consumer of news and information in society.
Biagi, Shirley. Media/Impact: An Introduction to Mass Media. Belmont, Calif.: Wadsworth Publishing Co., 6th Edition, 2003.
Cairncross, Frances. The Death of Distance: How the Communications Revolution Is Changing Our Lives. Boston: Harvard Business School Press, 2001 (paperback).
We'll use both lectures and discussions to develop our ideas during the semester. As the semester progresses, we'll have classroom sessions in which you work in groups on communications issues. Also, we will have discussion forums on the University's Blackboard Web site.
As soon as possible at the beginning of the semester, you should begin to learn how to use the Internet if you don't already know. In class, we'll be talking about using the Internet as a way to understand the rapidly changing nature of international communications, and students will be asked to look at various sites on the Internet to see how cyberspace is being used in this revolutionary period.
Our textbooks, The Death of Distance by Frances Cairncross and Media/Impact by Shirley Biagi, will give you a solid understanding of how technology is changing the communications world.
News in Society
So we will have a common ground for our discussions of news in society, you will be expected to check daily on The Washington Post site on the World Wide Web to keep informed on the important news.
Journalism 30 Home Page
A home page has been created on the World Wide Web for use by this class. Check the site regularly for new information and to keep track of the assigned readings in your textbooks and/or on the Internet. Your regularly assigned textbook readings and examination dates are posted on the Web.
Course Requirements/Grading
Your final grade for the course will be determined through four examinations and your class participation and attendance. You will be given four examinations during the semester--three as the semester progresses and a fourth, the final exam. The first three exams contain 40 questions each--20 short answer and 20 multiple choice. The final exam contains 50 questions--25 short answer and 25 multiple choice. Exams will be given only on the day and time scheduled. Unless you have a bonafide reason for missing an exam, you will receive a 0 for that exam. Bonafide reasons are illness, a death in the immediate family, or some other compelling reason.
Class participation and attendance are an important part of your enrollment in the class. Students are allowed two unexcused absences during the semester; if you miss more classes, your final grade will be lowered. Excessive absences will lead to heavier reductions in your overall final grade and can lead to your failing the course. If you can't attend a class, phone the teacher or send him e-mail, and let him know the specific reason. We'll use a sign-in sheet to record your attendance; please sign your own name only. You are responsible for making certain that you have signed the list; if you haven't, you will be considered to be absent.
Class participation includes your regularly participating in Journalism 30 forums on the World Wide Web. Failure to participate will lead to a loss of points in your overall total points for the semester. Participation in all forums will gain you points toward your overall total at the end of the semester.
Assignments in your two textbooks will be given weeks in advance, and you will be reminded of the reading as each exam nears. You will be asked to study Internet sites to see how media are adapting to that new medium, and you will be given some Internet readings for which you will be responsible. You also will be expected to read the many class handouts distributed during the semester.
The teacher's intent is to get to know each of you during the semester. Please fill out the Getting to Know You form and turn it in during the next class period. Thanks.