COM 559 Current Trends in Mass Communication Research:
Old Media/New Media
Spring 2008
R 6:00-8:45
Neff 147
Course Description
Cr. 3.
Return to Table of Contents
Course Objectives
At the conclusion of the course, students will be able
-
To describe the process of technological innovation and adoption;
-
To assess the effectiveness of old media to respond to competition from new media;
-
To analyze the cultural effects of media innovation and adoption; and
-
To identify and describe various scholarly approaches to the process of media innovation and adoption.
Texts
- Brian Winston, Media Technology and Society: A history: From the telegraph to the Internet
- Daniel Czitrom, Media and the American Mind
- Thomas Kuhn, The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, Third Edition
- Readings as assigned and linked to Schedule page
Return to Table of Contents
Assignments
All assignment must be completed in order to achieve a passing grade in this course.
- Adoption and Use Project (AUP): A class project designed to assess "real world" patterns of media technology adoption and use.
Step One: Each student will compile a log of their media technology usage for one (1) week. Log needs to include the following: (1) what technology; (2) how long was the usage, and (3) what was the purpose of the usage.
Due: March 24
- Research Paper: A paper that describes and assesses a specific example of old media/new media competition or new media adoption. Appropriate research and synthesis is expected.
-
Class Discussion: Each work team will organize
and lead one class discussion for 75 minutes.
-
Class Interaction: Students will engage with the course material. Evidence of such engagement
includes active participation in class discussion and regular class attendance.
Grading
Course assignments and examinations
will be weighted as follows:
| |
| AUP
| 200 points |
| Research Paper |
500 points |
| Class interaction | 100 points |
| Facilitation session |
200 points |
| Total | 1000 points |
Return to Table of Contents
The final grade will be based on the following scale:
| Points | Grade |
| 1000-899 points | A |
| 888-790 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.
Back to Table of Contents
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.
-
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.
-
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.)
Return to
Tankel Current Courses Page
URL:http://users.ipfw.edu/tankel/syllabi/Spring 2008/com559s08.htm
Revised: 16 January 2008