001: J1111 Journalism & Society Temple University Fall 2010 Tuesday and Thursday 9:30 am 10:50 Anderson Hall 17 http://J1111.blogspot.com Instructor: George Miller [e-mail] or 215/ 204-3057 Office: Annenberg Hall 309 Office hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:00 to 12:30; Mondays by appointment (email to arrange). Teaching assistants: Kathryn Beardsley -- [e-mail] Jared Brey - [e-mail] Jaehyeon Jeong - [e-mail] Chad Sims - [e-mail] The course and objective: The news media are essential to informing us of the world out there, especially since much of the world is beyond our direct experience. Ideally, they tell us what happened, why it happened, what the consequences are and how it fits into a larger context. The purpose of this course is to acquaint you with concepts and functions of journalism and the related industries of advertising and public relations in American society. Students will gain knowledge about the history, economics and structure of these industries, focusing on how mass media content is determined and disseminated. We will explore underlying values associated with journalism, relationships among journalism and other social institutions, and current issues facing journalists. By the end of the course, you will have developed familiarity with how journalism works as well as some perspective on how well (or not) journalism performs its function in American society. *** The main goal is to help you become a more critical consumer and producer of media content. *** This is not a journalistic writing or production class. The course is structured in a way to encourage you to sharpen your critical-thinking skills as you examine and assess the mass media. Lectures usually will complement, not duplicate, reading assignments. With so much to cover in 15 weeks, lecture time is needed to provide an historical or a societal context for course material. Student involvement is essential. Your ideas are important, but your opinions are only as strong as the evidence you offer to support those beliefs. This is certainly true for written assignments in this class, where authoritative support is needed to reinforce your opinions. Textbooks: (All are available in the Temple bookstore or online) Vivian, John. (2008). The Media of Mass Communication, 8th edition. Boston: Allyn & Bacon Kovach, Bill, & Rosenstiel, Tom. (2007). The Elements of journalism: What newspeople should know and the public should expect. New York: Three Rivers Press. Attendance: University policy assumes that students attend classes in which they're enrolled. That's true in this class, too. Your attendance at lectures is essential. While the lecture slides will be posted on Blackboard, any additional material, such as examples, or videos will not be available except in lecture. If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to get notes from a fellow student. Neither the TAs nor I will provide further notes to you. We will take attendance at random, during current events quizzes and through physical checks. If you are absent without a legitimate excuse on 3 days when we take attendance, you fail the course. Assignments and Grading: All assignments will be introduced in class. In addition, copies of the assignment will be posted on Blackboard.
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3 EXAMS 100 POINTS EACH We will have three exams. Each will be a closed-book, closed-notes test with objective (multiple-choice and true-false) questions. Exam questions will come from lectures/discussions, guest speakers, assigned readings and course handouts. The final exam will not be comprehensive, instead covering only course content after the exam #1 and #2. No makeup exams will be given. If you miss an exam because of an acceptable excuse (one cleared in advance with the instructor, a death in the family, an illness that can produce a doctor's excuse, or a university-sponsored trip), the instructor may substitute an alternative test. MEDIA USE LOG 25 POINTS Over a three day period (72 hours), students must document their media use, detailing the amount of time spent with each medium (Internet, television, cell phone, newspaper, radio, etc). CURRENT EVENTS QUIZZES (3 QUIZZES AT 20 POINTS EACH) 60 POINTS Quizzes will be based upon information on philly.com and nytimes.com. "WHAT IS NEWS?" EXERCISE 50 POINTS For this assignment, you must watch a half-hour, local newscast of your choice (or the first 30 minutes of an hour-long show). Make a list of each story in the show in order with a brief description of each news item. Using the newsworthiness criteria discussed in class, explain why each news item was placed in the position it was. You must show that you understand the different criteria (news items may fulfill multiple criteria) and explain why the criteria are appropriate. SOURCE ANALYSIS 100 POINTS For this paper, you will research an institution that is often cited by journalists as "experts" in the news. You will review the frequency with which sources associated with the institution is cited within a onemonth period, analyze the kinds of stories that the institution is asked to comment on, the positions taken, and how you think journalists should use the institution's sources. Papers will be 5 pages long (one page describing the institution; four pages of analysis), not including the bibliography. MEDIA COMPARISON PAPER 100 POINTS Compare two media outlets of the same medium (print, broadcast, online). Analyze the differences and similarities, explain why there are differences and similarities, and estimate the audience the outlets are trying to reach. Essays should be three full pages, not including bibliography. "ISSUE FACING JOURNALISM" RESEARCH PAPER 100 POINTS Choose a contemporary issue facing journalism to investigate thoroughly in a three-page paper (not including bibliography). Explain the issue, analyze examples and offer opinions about how the profession should deal with the issue. TOTAL POINTS POSSIBLE: 735 POINTS
Extra credit: There will be several opportunities for extra credit throughout the semester (most worth 10 points each). Each of the exams will have a potential for 10 bonus points. Assignment guidelines: Assignments are due in hard copy at the time specified on the schedule (unless prior arrangements have been made with me or the TAs). There will be a 10 percent per day penalty for work handed in late. An assignment will be considered late if it is not turned in in class. Assignments that are dropped in my mailbox or sent via email, without prior arrangements, will be considered late. You are required to turn in two versions of the Content/ Source Analysis, Media Comparison, and Issue Facing Journalism papers. You must turn in both versions of the paper to have your paper counted as turned in on time and to have it graded. 1. A printed copy in class, following the guidelines listed below.
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All assignments must be word-processed, following these guidelines (unless otherwise told): A. Margins: No larger than 1" around B. Font size: No larger than 12 pt. C. Either skip lines between paragraphs or indent (not both) D. Staple securely E. White paper and black ink only. F. Typed, double-spaced G. Edit!!! There should be NO TYPOS. To send an assignment on Blackboard: 1. Log into BlackBoard 2. Click on Assignments 3. Locate the proper assignment and click the "view/ complete" icon. 4. Attach your file and submit. Grading Standards: An A represents outstanding or exceptional work that is good enough to be shown to other students as an example. A B grade indicates competent, satisfactory work. A C grade is assigned to work that merely fulfills the conditions of the assignment. A D grade will be given to work that does not fulfill the conditions of the assignment or is lacking in some important way. An F is a failing grade and would be given only if assignments were extremely poorly executed, or in the case of plagiarism or other failure to adhere to norms of academic honesty. Ethics and honesty are valued qualities of mass communication professionals and essential to credible, respected and successful journalism. You will be held to these standards in this class. Please be assured that in this class we will abide by all rules and regulations defined by Temple University concerning academic honesty. You are expected to do all your own work. No work done for another class may be turned in for this class. Per department policy, any student caught cheating or plagiarizing on any assignment or exam will either fail the assignment or fail the course, depending on the severity. This is a zero-tolerance policy. In addition, students should expect to face university disciplinary action which could result in expulsion from the university. See Temple's Policy on Academic Dishonesty: http://www.temple.edu/bulletin/Responsibilities_rights/responsibilities/responsibilities.shtm. from Adapted the Temple University "Statement on Academic Honesty for Students in Undergraduate Courses." Plagiarism is the unacknowledged use of another person's labor: ideas, words, or assistance. There are many forms of plagiarism: repeating another person's sentence as your own, adopting a particularly apt phrase as your own, paraphrasing someone else's argument as your own, or even presenting someone else's line of thinking in the development of a thesis as though it were your own. It is perfectly acceptable to use the ideas and words of other people, but we must never submit someone else's work as if it were our own, without giving appropriate credit to the originator. In general, all sources must be identified as clearly, accurately, and thoroughly as possible. When in doubt about whether to identify a source, either cite the source or consult your instructor. Here are some specific guidelines to follow: a. Quotations. Whenever you use a phrase, sentence, or longer passage written (or spoken) by someone else, you must enclose the words in quotation marks and indicate the exact source of the material, including the page number of written sources.
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b. Paraphrasing. Avoid closely paraphrasing another's words. Substituting an occasional synonym, leaving out or adding an occasional modifier, rearranging the grammar slightly, or changing the tenses of verbs simply looks like sloppy copying. Good paraphrasing indicates that you have absorbed the material and are restating it in a way that contributes to your overall argument. It is best to either quote the material directly, using quotation marks, or put the ideas completely in your own words. In either case, acknowledgment is necessary. Remember: expressing someone else's ideas in your own way does not make them yours. c. Facts. In a paper, you will often use facts that you have gotten from a lecture, a written work, or some other source. If the facts are well known, it is usually not necessary to provide a source. (In a paper on American history, for example, it would not ordinarily be necessary to give a source for the statement that the Civil War began in 1861 after the inauguration of Abraham Lincoln.) But if the facts are not widely known or if the facts were developed or presented by a specific source, then you should identify that source. d. Ideas. If you use an idea or ideas that you learned from a lecture, written work, or some other source, then you should identify the source. You should identify the source for an idea whether or not you agree with the idea. It does not become your original idea just because you agree with it. Appeals Policy: Please note that the teaching assistants will grade the majority of your written work. If you have questions about how a paper was graded, you must consult with the TA who graded it first. They have the authority to reconsider grades. If after that consultation you wish to appeal your grade further, you must submit your appeal to this teaching assistant and me, in writing, within two weeks of receiving the grade. No exceptions. Your appeal must include a clear argument for why you think the grade should be changed. Working hard is expected; therefore having worked hard is not sufficient justification for changing a grade. Ultimately, I will be happy to review the appealed paper, but know that I am generally much, much tougher than my TAs. And yes, grades can be lowered upon appeal. Grading Scale: 92% and higher: 90-91 88-89: 82-87: 80-81 78-79: 72-77: 70-71 60-69: Below 60%: A AB+ B BC+ C CD F
All scores will be posted to GradeCenter on BlackBoard (semester grades get posted to OwlNet). All grading will be done on a point system, with a letter grade assigned at the end of the term based on points earned from a total of 735 points. Journalism majors are required to earn a grade of "C" or better in J1111. Grades of Incomplete will be given only for acceptable written medical reasons. To determine your grade, simply add up all the points you have earned on papers, projects, tests, etc., and divide by the total possible points for these same projects (see earlier), and multiply by 100. Accessing the Instructors: Feel free to talk to one of us anytime you have a question or concern (sooner is better than later). The best way to reach us is by e-mail. My office number is on page one of this syllabus. My posted office hours are the best times to see me. At other times, try to make an appointment to assure I'm available. If, at any time during the course, you need to discuss any issues with me directly, COME SEE ME. I will not look favorably upon requests to change grades based on festering problems that you claim, in the 11th hour, have been going on all semester. Finally, if you are going to be absent when something is due, the TAs and I expect to be notified promptly (ideally before the assignment is due), otherwise don't expect any consideration.
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Blackboard and other online sources: This course has an accompanying Blackboard page (tuportal.temple.edu), on which will be posted copies of the syllabus, all assignments, study questions and lecture slides. We may also post announcements on this site. Students without a Temple AccessNet account should get one through Computer Services immediately. (You can do this online at www.temple.edu) For assistance with Blackboard, use the "Get Help" link at the TUportal site. Check the J1111 Blackboard site before every lecture. Course Conduct: I expect you to approach this class in a professional manner. I expect you to be on time, to come prepared and to participate fully. Further, I expect that cellphones, pagers, etc. be turned off prior to class. Sensitivity: Media issues and content cannot be thoughtfully and rigorously discussed without an occasional reference to unpopular ideas or to offensive material. We will not hide from the hard questions and harsh language, but students and instructors alike in this class are expected to remain sensitive to individual differences. The diversity of a multicultural society requires that we discuss differences with no anger, arrogance or personal attacks, and without perpetuating stereotypes about gender, age, race, religious affiliation, sexual preference, national origin, dialect or disability. Schedule of lecture topics, readings and assignments: The following schedule is subject to change, but all tests and assignments will definitely be on the set dates. Read the material in bold for that day. The readings from Vivian are listed for the 8th edition. For the 9th edition conversion, see the chart posted to BlackBoard.
Week 1 August 31 Introduction to the course. September 2 Vivian 8th edition chapters 1 & 15 Media & Society: what is communication? Week 2 September 7 K&R intro, and chapter 1 What is journalism for? Part 1. September 9 Researching communications MEDIA USE LOG DUE Week 3 September 14 Vivian 10 What is Journalism for? Part 2. September 16 K&R 2, 4 What shapes the news? Part 1: News workers and media norms. Week 4 September 21 K&R 3 What shapes the news? Part 2: Ownership September 23 K&R 5 What shapes the news? Part 3: External Influences sources, advertising and PR Week 5 September 28 Vivian 20 What shapes the news? Part 4: Media & the law September 30 Vivian 21 What shapes the news? Part 5: Ethics and Journalism WHAT IS NEWS? ASSIGNMENT DUE Week 6 October 5 Vivian 18 What shapes the news? Part 6: Global models of journalism
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Review for EXAM #1 October 7 EXAM #1 Week 12 Week 7 October 12 Vivian 3, 4 Print media: past and present, part 1 October 14 Print media: past and present, part 2 CONTENT/ SOURCE ANALYSIS DUE Week 8 October 19 Print media: past and present, part 3 October 21 Vivian 7, 8 Broadcasting: past and present, part 1 Week 9 October 26 Broadcasting: past and present, part 2 October 28 Vivian 9 Online journalism: past, present and future Week 10 November 2 Vivian 12 History of advertising MEDIA COMPARISON DUE November 4 Vivian 11 History of public relations Review for EXAM #2 Week 11 November 9 EXAM #2 November 11 K&R 8 Celebrity culture November 16 K&R 9 Diversity & journalism November 18 Vivian 19, K&R 6 Journalism & politics Week 13 November 23 K&R 7 Journalism & war, part 1 ISSUES FACING JOURNALISM PAPER DUE November 25 Thanksgiving Break NO CLASS! Week 14 November 30 Journalism & War, part 2 December 2 K&R 11 Reconnecting journalism and citizens Week 15 December 7 Review for Exam #3
EXAM #3: December 16 at 8:00 am sharp THERE WILL BE NO MAKE-UP EXAMS FOR THE LAST TEST. DON'T MISS IT. IF YOU MISS AN EXAM AND YOU NEVER ADDRESS THE SITUATION, IT BECOMES AN AUTOMATIC ZERO ONE WEEK AFTER THE EXAM DATE. IF YOU DO NOT SEE SCORES POSTED FOR ASSIGNMENTS OR TESTS AFTER WE'VE ANNOUNCED THE SCORES ARE POSTED, SEE US IMMEDIATELY.
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ANY PAPERS NOT SUBMITTED BY DECEMBER 2 WILL BECOME A ZERO.