COM 251 Introduction to Electronic Media
Department of Communication
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne

Summer 2005
MTR 3:00-5:20
CM 112

Table of Contents
Instructor Information
Course Description
Course Objectives
Texts
Assignments
Course Policies
Work Teams
Course Schedule and Readings

Dr. Jonathan David Tankel
230F Neff Hall
Phone: 481-5789
E-mail: tankel@ipfw.edu

Office Hours:
M 1:30-2:30; T 9:00-10:00

CLICK HERE TO VISIT
THE "MY MEDIA WORLD" WEBSITES
FOR SUMMER 2005


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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Course Objectives
At the conclusion of the course, students will be able:

  1. To recognize the communication techniques employed by media producers;
  2. To become familiar with the lexicon of terms used to describe those techniques; and
  3. To evaluate critically the aesthetics of media productions.

Successful completion of COM 251 fulfills 3 credits in IPFW General Education Area IV. Due to required courses in the COMM and COMI majors, students with these majors do not use COM 251 for General Education credit

Readings



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Assignments
All assignment must be completed in order to achieve a passing grade in this course.

  1. My Media World Website Project
    Link to Instructions on publishing Dreamweaver files to your web site.
  2. Creative Project
    Each student group will create a public service announcement for a non-profit organization in Fort Wayne. This will entail a storyboard that shows each individual shot and the acompanying soundtrack or a digital video rough cut of the spot. The project will also include a rationale for the production choices in terms of the intended meanings (semiotic analysis). Therefore, the evaluation will be based on choices made, not specific production skills.

    Sample Storyboards:
    Indian Advertisement 1
    Indian Advertisement 2
    Cartoon
    Storyboards
    Interactive Storyboard Exercise
    Storyboard for The Go-Gos
    Index of Storyboards for Judicial Elections
    Comics and Cinema
    Storyboards for PolyKarbon
    How to draw Storyboards
    Group Project Due: August 1

  3. Critical Essays
    Each student will complete two critical essays.
    Essay #1: 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: July 18
    Essay #2: Critical analysis of the visual style of the opening sequence from a film (from a list to be announced later). The essay will describe the production techniques in evidence and relate those techniques to the narrative structure of the film. This essay should include appropriate references, bibliography (if necessary) and a shot list .
    Due: July 28
  4. Final Examination Essay

Grading
Course assignments and examinations will be weighted as follows:

My Media World200 points
Creative Project (Group) 250 points
Critical Essay #1 200 points
Critical Essay #2 200 points
Final Examination150 points
Total 1000 points

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The final grade will be based on the following scale:
PointsGrade
1000-890 pointsA
889-790 pointsB
789-700 pointsC
699-600 pointsD
599 points-belowF

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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