Syllabus

Introduction to Media Studies - MEDIA 180, Section 002
Hunter College Department of Film & Media Studies

Summer 2010 Session II
M, T, W, Th 10am-11:53am
Hunter North 506

Prof. Doris Cacoilo
Office: HN 515
Email: dcacoilo at hunter.cuny.edu
Office Hours by Appointment

Course Description:
The mass media – print, radio, television, movies, and the Internet – are pervasive and ubiquitous, shaping our understanding of the world and ourselves. This course will provide an introduction to communications media and their relationship with culture, identity and politics. We will use both historical and contemporary examples to look critically at the media that saturates our society and begin to understand how media can produce meaning and create, uphold or undermine power relationships.

Required Reading: The textbook is available at Hunter College Bookstore. Other required readings will be distributed on Blackboard (bb.hunter.cuny.edu). You must print and bring these to class for discussion. Gain access to black board and obtain the textbook quickly or you will fall behind.

Hanson, Ralph. Mass Communication: Living in a Media World. 2nd Edition. Washington, DC: CQ Press (2008). [You must have the 2nd Edition.]

Blog and internet access: You will need regular access to the Internet. Blackboard and email will be used to distribute course materials and information. Please make sure you also have access to Blackboard and your Hunter email. You will use the following blog to share your written assignments: http://media180sm2010.blogspot.com/ Be sure to sign up as an author during the first day of class (as you are invited.) You must consult the class blog daily to check for announcements, readings and to post your assignments. The blog is crucial to the course and your completion of the requirements. You MUST have access to the blog to complete assignments, get readings, post work and comment on students’ posts.

Attendance and participation:
Attendance and participation is required. Attendance is taken at the beginning of each class, and will be considered when determining the final course grade. *More than three (3) absences will result in an 'F' (failure) for the class. No exceptions. This is standard policy across digital media courses. Class begins on time. Lateness, leaving early or leaving class unexcused for an extended period of time will also be recorded. Two of these instances will count as one absence.

You are required to make up any and all work that is missed if you are absent. Notify the professor if you will be absent or e-mail asap. Work will not be accepted late, please contact the professor to hand in work on time if you will miss class!

Four Short Writing Assignments:
During the course you will have four writing assignments due, each worth 5% of your final grade. Assignments will be given in class and posted to the blog!!
Exam/Quizzes
Quizzes and the Final may include keywords and concepts from lectures, screenings and readings. While lectures will review some key points from the readings, you are responsible for studying all assigned reading. There will be no makeup exams or quizzes in the absence of an emergency; please plan accordingly.

*Final Exam: Tuesday, August 17, 2010, 10am-11:53am (last day of course)
If you cannot make this date, please drop the course to make room for other students.

Your final grade for the course will be determined as follows:
20% Attendance & Participation
20% Four Short Writing Assignments (5% each)
- posted to blog by 10am on the due date
- you must respond to one of your classmates posts per assignment
30% Two Quizzes
30% Final Exam

NOTE: BACK-UP your work frequently, even as you are working on the projects. Write and edit your posts locally before uploading them to the web. No excuses!

* If you have a disability which will affect your coursework, please notify the instructor within the first two weeks of class to ensure suitable arrangements and a comfortable working environment.
Contact The Office for Students with Disabilities, Hunter East 1119 Phone (212) 772-4882 or 4891, TTY: (212) 650-3230.

* This is a list of numbers which you can use if there is an emergency or crisis situation on the Hunter campus or if you need assistance at other times.
Security -B125 West - 772 - 4444; During business hours: Medical Office - Room 307 North - 772 - 4800; Office of Student Services - 1119 East - 772 - 4882 4891 (crisis counseling available), The Women's Center - 801 East - 772 - 4931.

Hunter's Reading/Writing center is where students receive tutoring in reading and writing skills, critical reading, and the writing process. Students can apply for a weekly appointment with a tutor and/or use drop-in services during scheduled hours. Students may also attend workshops offered at the Center throughout the academic year. http://rwc.hunter.cuny.edu/

* Statement on Originality of the Work
All work completed for this course must be completed by the student enrolled in the course. All work for this course must be made in this course and not fulfilling the requirements of another prior or current course unless pre-approved by the instructor. Plagiarism is a very serious academic offense which will result in penalties ranging from reduction of class grade to failure in the course. Plagiarism occurs when the ideas, images, and words, published or unpublished, of others are presented as one's own without citing the original source. Plagiarism also occurs when the papers, research, or creative works of another person are presented as one's own work.

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SCHEDULE
******PLEASE NOTE THAT THE FOLLOWING SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND I WILL INFORM YOU OF SPECIFICS AND CHANGES PERTAINING TO THIS SCHEDULE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you ever have questions or concerns about the schedule, due dates, changes or anything else please e-mail dcacoilo at hunter.cuny.edu.

7/14 W
Introduction
Course Requirements
Media Survey
Screening: Challenger Explosion

7/15 Th
What is Media?
Reading Due Today: Hanson Chapter 1 and S. Baran’s “What is Culture?”

7/19 M
Media Ownership and Consolidation
Assignment #1 Due on Blog by 10am
Reading Due Today: Hanson, Ch. 2 The Media Business

7/20 T
Media Effects
Listening: Orson Welles and the War of The Worlds
Reading Due Today: Hanson Ch. 3 Mass Communication Effects

7/21 W
Books
Reading Due Today: Hanson, Ch. 4 Books

7/22 Th
Newspapers
Respond to at least one of your classmates’ assignments by 10am
Reading Due Today: Hanson, Ch. 6 Newspapers

7/26 M
Radio and Sound
Assignment #2 Due on Blog by 10am
Reading Due Today: Hanson, Ch. 7 Sound

7/27 T
QUIZ #1 All material through 7/26
Sound
Listening: This American Life

7/28 W
Movies
Respond to at least one of your classmates’ assignments by 10am
Reading Due Today: Hanson, Ch. 8 Movies

7/29 Th
Television
Reading Due Today: Hanson, Ch. 9 Television

8/2 M
Internet I
Reading Due Today: Hanson, Ch. 10 “The Internet”


8/3 T
Internet II
Reading Due Today: Clay Shirky, “Everyone is a Media Outlet”

8/4 W
Internet III
Assignment #3 Due on Blog by 10am
No reading due

8/5 Th
Advertising
Screening: Killing Us Softly 3: Advertising’s Image of Women
Reading Due Today: Hanson, Ch. 11 Advertising

8/9 M
Respond to at least one of your classmates’ assignments by 10am
QUIZ #2 All material through 8/4
Virtual Activism
Screening: A Better World In Second Life

8/10 T
Public Relations
Assignment #4 Due on Blog by 10am
Reading Due Today: Hanson, Ch. 12 Public Relations

8/11 W
Media Law
Respond to at least one of your classmates’ assignments by 10am
Reading Due Today: Hanson, Ch. 13 Media Law

8/12 Th
Media Law II
Be prepared for review for the exam.

8/16 M
Reading day – Study Day

8/17 T
FINAL EXAM 10am-11:53am (all course materials)


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