Instructor: Dr. Gil Fowler
10-11 MWF Office: Comm #355 / 972-3075
Comm # 233 gfowler@kiowa.astate.edu , gilfowler@hotmail.com
Office Hours: Mon 8:30-9:30; Tues 1:30-2:30; Wed 11-12; Thur 9:30-10:30; Fri 9-10

COURSE OBJECTIVES:
This course is designed to prepare students to better deal with mass media -- either as professionals who are employed in the media or as consumers of media. Since the media constantly impose themselves on people it is advantageous to know more about them: their functions, responsibilities, purpose and economic structure. The course will provide a basic knowledge of the communication system, the uses of media, and means of objectively evaluating media performance in light of media problems, promises and potential.

COURSE COVERAGE:
This course will emphasize the communication processes, media functions, and media-government interrelationships. Newspapers and TV as individual media will be particularly stressed; magazines, books, radio, records, and the movie industry will also be discussed. Focus will be on media economics, structure and future--all in historical and theoretical perspective. Three facets of media will be considered--news and information, entertainment, and public relations/advertising. Primary consideration will be given to American media though media in other societies will be discussed when appropriate. Ethical concerns and contributions of gender and ethnic diversity will also be emphasized.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS/STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES:
Because of class size and amount of material to be covered, the lecture/discussion method will be used.

STUDENT QUESTIONS and CLASS DISCUSSION is ENCOURAGED!!

Class assignments will be of two types: (1) in-class exams and (2) out-of-class book reports.

ALL EXAMS will be closed book and closed notes. They will cover lectures, reading assignments, films, etc. Students are responsible for "everything" covered in the text and lecture/assignment.

** As a general rule Make-Up Exams will only be allowed in unusual cases. Where possible, ask for approval before rather than after missing an exam or assignment. Situations will be handled on a case-by-case, individual basis.

BOOK REPORTS ARE REQUIRED. You will be given a list of approved books divided into four categories. Each student will be required to report on four (4) books during the term--one per category. You do not have to read books in sequential order (category 1, then 2, then 3, etc), but it is helpful if you read and report on books that relate to areas currently being discussed.

Book reports will be DUE at 10 a.m. MWF on the following dates:

Book report # 1 -- Friday, Feb. 2, 2001 * NOTE: all dates are "tentative"

Book report # 2 -- (you will be reminded of due dates)

Book report # 3 -- TBA

Book report # 4 -- TBA

Generally, LATE BOOK REPORTS ARE NOT ACCEPTED (although it is better to turn in a report late than not at all!). If you are unable to attend on the day a report is due turn it in early or have a classmate bring it for you. If neither is possible let me know -- 972-3075. Only under unusual circumstances will a book report be accepted late. One should also anticipate a lower grade if a report is accepted when it is late.

Reports should follow the format proving on the "Book Report" page on this web site. Reports should be typed using only one side of the page. Put your name on each page of the report (normally 4 pages in length). Reports will be kept by the instructor until the end of the semester for determination/calculation of final grades. Reports will be given back / returned to student in class for review after they have been graded but they should then be returned to the instructor until the end of the term when they will be made available to the student. Failure to follow instructions will results in a low grade or non-acceptance of a report. Grades are not recorded in the grade book until they have been returned to the instructor after student review.

GRADING:
Attainment of the objectives of the course will be demonstrated by student performance on four (4) in-class exams and successful completion of book reports and assignments. * Final grades will be based on percentage of total possible points accumulated and book report grades. So final grade are computed as follows:

First, get an average on the four exams (each weighed equally)(add test scores for exams & divide by 4).

Then, use book report grades to adjust the grade upward or downward. For each book report not successfully completed, 10% will be deducted from the overall test average. Each report receiving a grade of "A" will add 1% to the final average; reports with a "B" add 3/4 of a percentage point (.75%); "C" 1/2 a percentage point (.05%); "D" 1/4 a percentage point (.025%); and "F" zero (0) percentage points.

Thus, suppose you earn test grades of 80, 70, 90 and 80 on the exams. These would yield an average of 80% (320 total points divided by 4). If you turn in four book reports and earn a grade of "A" on each of them, you would receive 4 bonus points and thus have an average of 84% (80 + 1% + 1% + 1% + 1%). On the other hand, if you earn three "A"s and didn't turn in one, you would have 3 bonus points added to your average, and then 10% subtracted. Thus your final grade percentage would be 73% (80 + 1% + 1% + 1% - 10%).

The grading scale in this class is:

A = 90% or higher
B = 80-89%
C = 70-79%
D = 60-69%
F = less than 60%

* Note: Other assignments may be given at times and added to the total to determine the final grade.

ATTENDANCE:
As per the ASU Attendance Policy in the Undergraduate Bulletin: "Students should attend every lecture, etc.... Students enrolled in freshman or sophomore level courses numbered 1000 or 2000 may during a semester miss no more than twice the number of lectures, recitations, lab sessions, or other regularly scheduled class activities that would normally be scheduled during a week. Students who miss more that the maximum number of freshman or sophomore level classes may be dropped from the class with a grade of F."

NOTE: Exams or missed work may only be made up if the reason for missing has been documented and found acceptable by the instructor. Missed work must be completed as quickly as possible after its due date. "ASK" for APPROVAL BEFORE rather than after missing a particular assignment.

Work may not be made up the final week of the semester unless prior approval has been given.

You can expect roll to be called every day and you should be there on time prepared for class.

If you should be late, come by and tell the instructor after class if you want credit for attending that day. If you miss an excessive number of classes, you can expect to receive a failing grade in this class. Generally though, lack of attendance which results in poor class notes will be sufficient to lead to poor grades on tests. The problem generally takes care of itself.