This is a test wiki for Mass Comm. English!
Department of Communication College of Social Science Chonnam National University
COM3017 Mass Comm. English Spring 2013
Instructor: Dr. Kyun Soo Kim Office: Social Science Building 331 Phone: 530-2671 Email: kimk@jnu.ac.kr Course Website: eClass
Class Location/Time: Social Science Building 374 / Mon: 2-3:40 / Wed: 2-2:50
Office Hours: Thu 2-4 pm
Also by appointment (*Just-Drop-Ins are also welcome)
I. Course Overview
The purpose of the course is to provide you with a chance to improve your global competitiveness by studying media-related issues in English. Included in our examination are current issues in media, English-based Western media’s coverage on Asian issues including two Koreas, Japan, and China, movies on journalism and journalists, scholarly articles on international news, and websites for professional media organization in the world. We attempt to blend disciplinary, professional, and consumer perspectives into this single course in order for you to become media literate both academically and professionally.
The emphasis in this course is on activities and discussion. We will discuss current events, discuss the assigned readings, utilize audio-visual displays (e.g., videos, films, slides), and participate in general Q & A. I encourage all of you to be active and critical consumers of “international” media. I expect you to watch television, read books and magazines, attend movies, and listen to the radio, which are produced by “other” countries. Your insights and comments will be useful for class discussions. Many of class materials will be shared by a Facebook group titled “CNU Mass Comm. English.”
II. Competencies It is assumed that you already have the following competencies: A. The “basic” reading and writing skills to enable you to complete class assignments in English. B. Ability to identify roles of the mass media. C. Identify and discuss significant current events covered by the mass media. D. The “zeal” to become a media literate citizen.
III. Objectives At the end of the semester, you will have a greater understanding of the structure of the mass media industry and its impact on our society both locally and globally. Specifically, this course provides opportunities: A. To gain understanding of international media, in particular American media. B. To become aware of the effects of mass media upon society. C. To understand the theoretical underpinnings and ethical standards within mass media fields. D. To enhance media literacy. E. To learn about the norms and practices within mass media fields.
IV. Evaluation Procedures
No test (!!) and so the success of the class absolutely depends on your voluntary “participation.” To that end, the following evaluation criteria are crucial:
Wiki project presentation. Each group comprised of 3 students will create a Wikipedia site on an issue, event, people or etc. which is not covered yet by Wikipedia. The Wikipedia entry should synthesize all perspectives on the topic chosen. Each group will make a final presentation by introducing the topic and discussing the group’s understanding/reaction/opinion of the topic and the group project. Peer evaluation will be included in the evaluation process of the group project.
Issue presentation. Students are expected to introduce an issue that may be relevant to this course. For example, students introduce foreign media’s coverage on issues in Korea, Japan, and China. Also, you can introduce an interesting TED or YouTube videos related to mass media. Each student should include their opinions or evaluations on the topics chosen. Every student should make at least one presentation on Wednesdays by the end of semester. Beginning on the 3rd week.
Another sources for media issues—strongly encourage you to subscribe to the following mailing lists: Pew Research Daily Briefing of Media News: http://www.journalism.org/dailybriefings MediaShift “Daily” Report: http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/ MIT communications Forum: http://web.mit.edu/comm-forum/index.html Berkman Center for Internet & Society: http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/
Finally, the remainder of your grade will be based on class participation and attendance. You are expected to always have your reading materials in class. You will receive participation penalties for coming to class unprepared and without having done your reading or other assignment. Also, because in-class activities are topical and address the content of that day’s discussion, they cannot be made up. Absences on the days we complete in-class assignments will result in a 0 for that particular activity. Thus, your grade is based on the following:
Wiki project 40% Issue presentation 30% Participation 20% Attendance 10%
V. Course Content (INSTRUCTOR’S NOTE: subject to change)
Week 1 Topic Readings / Assignments
Introduction to the Course Arranging Issue Presentation/Making Groups
Week 2
Medill Justice Project
Week 3
Media Bias Issue Presentation Begins
Week 4
Blog Explosion
Week 5
Cyber Socializing
Week 6
Free-Press Dispute
Week 7
Video Games
Week 8
MID-TERM EXAM #Wiki project topic due
Week 9
Media Ownership
Week 10
Advertising Overload
Week 11
Future of Newspapers Reading last issue of Newsweek
Week 12
Future of Television
Week 13
Make-up
Week 14
Wiki Project Presentations
Week 15
FINAL EXAM
Other possible topics: Columbia Journalism Report; Journalism in the movies; Sharing TED Talks; “Korea” in the World Media; Arirang TV; Probulica; Pulitzer Prizes
VI. Special Course Requirements
• This course requires close attention to detail and does not allow much latitude for procrastination. Study assigned material and excel on all assignments and projects. EVERY ASSIGNMENT SHOULD BE WRITTEN and DOUBLE-SPACED. However, LATE ASSIGNMENT WILL REDUCE THE GRADE BY ONE LETTER GRADE FOR THAT ASSIGNMENT.
• Everyone doesn’t have to comment on every discussion, but make sure I hear from each of you regularly during the class. Please encourage other students to take part in the discussion, by: A. giving your opinion, when appropriate B. NOT giving your opinion, when your silence would encourage or enable someone else to talk C. Encouraging others to talk by calling on them or referring to other comments they have made in class D. Refraining from making judgmental responses to others’ comments E. Refraining from saying or doing anything in class or team meeting which could hurt another class member, person, our groups of persons.
• You are required to attend every class on time. Reporting late to class tends to interrupt class business. 3 TARDY ARRIVALS (OF MORE THAN 5 MINUTES) EQUAL 1 ABSENCE, and AFTER 2 UNEXCUSED ANSENCE EVERY ABSENCE RESULTS IN 5 POINTS DEDUCTED FROM THE OVERALL GRADE.
• I will frequently assign in-class assignments about the day’s topic. Because of the topical and interactive nature of the assignments, they CANNOT be made up. End of story! These assignments do count toward your final grade, and thus, your attendance and active participation and completion of all assignments will have a direct bearing on your grade as well as your overall experience in this class. • I do not expect our class meetings to produce unanimous agreement about the issues under discussion, but I do expect all of our conversations to be characterized by mutual respect and collegiality. Strongly expressed opinions are acceptable in this class; verbal bullying and personal attacks, on the other hand, will not be tolerated under any circumstances. • Significant disruptions of the normal flow of course-related business -- e.g., using cell phones in class, excessive side chatter -- may result in GRADE PENALTIES. Cell PHONES, OTHER ANNOYING ELECTRONIC NOISEMAKERS will not be tolerated in the classroom. You should TURN THEM OFF UPON ENTERING THE CLASSROOM! Nothing can be all that important, and if it is, you probably shouldn’t be in class anyway. Consistently text messaging someone will get you a One-Way Ticket out the door as well. You are in class to learn – NOT text someone or listen to obnoxious ringtones
• MAKE-UP TESTS WILL ONLY BE GIVEN FOR WELL-DOCUMENTED EMERGENCIES. The format for all make-up tests will be at the instructor’s discretion, and they will vary in terms of length and question format. Except in unusual circumstances, you have 24 hours from the time of the start of the test to contact the instructor regarding the absence. Failure to do so will result in an automatic 0 for that test. Failure to arrive at the appointed time to take the make-up test will result in an automatic 0 for that test.
• Scheduling conflicts that arise through participation in official University functions must be documented and discussed with the instructor in advance.
• I expect that all work you produce for the course will be your own. If you plagiarize any material from outside sources for your written work or presentations in this course, IT WILL RESULT IN A FAILURE OF THE ENTIRE COURSE. There are no exceptions to this, and no second chance. VII. Textbook (INSTRUCTOR’S NOTE: subject to change)
Main Text: CQ Researcher (2009). Issues in Media. CQ Press
Supplementary readings: Franklin, Bob et al. (2012). Key Concepts in Journalism Studies. Sage. And other readings or web resources will be assigned.