COM 251 Introduction to Electronic Media
Spring 2008
TR 1:30-2:45
Neff 141
Course Description
Cr. 3. A study of the ways in which ideas are expressed through techniques unique
to the language of radio, television, and film. The course focuses on the scenes,
camera and lens movement, tempo, editing concepts, montage, sound, perspective,
fades, seques, and other special effects prerequisite to effective communication
through electronic media.
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Successful completion of COM 251 fulfills 3 credits in IPFW General Education Area IV -- Humanistic Thought.
NOTE: COMM and COMI majors do not earn General Education credit for COM 251
General Education Area IV Course Objectives (Senate Document 99-25)
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Should require the student to demonstrate understanding of
scholarly approaches to such abiding issues as the meaning of life, the
role of the arts in our understanding of what it is to be human, and
the limits of knowledge.
Evidence of competence: Successful completion of final examination that requires analysis of the various dimensions of media production (form, content, and theme).
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Should lead students to reflect critically on the traditions
that have shaped their values, beliefs, and aesthetic preferences, and
make meaningful comparisons between the traditions that have shaped
them and traditions different from theirs.
Evidence of competence: Successful completion of five (5) essays (including final examination essay) examing various aspects of media production and reception.
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Whenever possible, should expose students to the writing or
creative works in this area, e.g., essays, works of art and music, and
involve students in writing of their own, e.g., critical analyses,
reaction papers.
Evidence of competence: Evident and appropriate integration of knowledge gleaned from course readings and course presentations in five (5) essays (including final examination essay) examing various aspects of media production and reception.
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May also involve students in demonstrations or hands
-on participation to develop an understanding of data collection and analysis and quantitative problem-solving.
Evidence of competence: No appropriate assignment
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Course Objectives
At the conclusion of the course, students will be able to:
- Identify the communication techniques employed by media producers;
- Utilize the lexicon of terms used to describe those techniques; and
- Evaluate critically the aesthetics of media productions.
Readings
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Assignments
All assignments must be completed in order to achieve a passing grade in this course.
- My Media World Website Project
MY MEDIA WORLD WEBSITES
Creative Project
Each student group will create a
public service announcement for a non-profit organization in Fort Wayne.
This will entail
- A storyboard or a digital video rough
cut that shows each individual shot and the soundtrack of the spot.
- Group Essay: The essay will articulate the aesthetic and semiotic rationales for the
production choices in terms of the intended meanings.
Therefore, this essay will be evaluated on both the choices made and knowledge of appropriate applications of specific
production techniques.
Some Storyboard Resources:
Comics and Cinema
Index of Storyboards for Judicial Elections
Storyboards for PolyKarbon
Team Project PSA Due: May 8 (in class)
Critical Essays
Each student will complete three critical essays.
Essay #1: THEME: Semiotic analysis of a television commercial in which the student will describe the
literal and and semiotic meanings. In particular, students need to assess the
multiple layers of signification employed.
Due: February 21
Essay #2: CONTENT: Dramatic analysis of the narrative structure of a television episode.
Due: March 20
Essay #3: FORM: Formal analysis of the strategies of depiction (visual and aural) of one scene from a theatrical motion picture.
Due: April 22</strong>
- Final Examination Essay:
Grading
Course assignments and examinations
will be weighted as follows:
| |
| My Media World | 100 points |
| Creative Project (Team) |
150 points |
| Critical Essay #1 | 175 points |
| Critical Essay #2 | 175 points |
| Critical Essay #3 | 150 points |
| Final Examination Essay | 250 points |
| Total | 1000 points |
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The final grade will be based on the following scale:
| Points | Grade |
| 1000-890 points | A |
| 889-790 points | B |
| 789-700 points | C |
| 699-600 points | D |
| 599 points-below | F |
Course Policies
1. You are expected to attend class.
2. All assignments must be turned in. Failure to turn in an assigment will
result in a grade of F for the course.
3. No late assignments will be accepted. Due dates are stated in the
syllabus.
4. No handwritten assignments will be accepted.
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Campus Services
- In making the transition from novice to experienced college student,
the Center for Academic Support
and Advancement (CASA)
an make the critical difference.
CASA offers study-skills assistance, free tutoring, supplemental instruction,
and free computer-technology courses (STEPs). The center is also the advising
unit for students studying English as a Second Language.
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Services for
Students with Disabilities (SSD) coordinates IPFW’s programming for
people with disabilities, as required by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of
1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Persons with qualifying
disability conditions per these regulations are eligible for specialized
academic support services and other assistance through SSD.
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For questions about how the University experience will enhance your life and potential career,
please contact Academic Counseling and Career
Services.
- For help with writing, please contact
the Writing Center.
In free one-on-one conferences, knowledgeable writing consultants will talk
with you about your writing for any class, wherever you are in the writing process
— understanding assignments, brainstorming and planning, revising, and polishing
final drafts. Consultants help you focus, organize, develop and analyze your
thoughts, revise, and work on issues of editing and style. (Consultants will
not edit or proofread for you but will help you learn how to edit and proofread
your own papers.)
Click here for
COM 251 Class Schedule
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Tankel Current Course Page
URL:http://users.ipfw.edu/tankel/Syllabi/Spring 2008/COM 251/com251spring08.htm
Revised: 7 January 2008
M01