Ms. Nicole Triche
[email protected]
336-278-5808
Office: McEwen 004
Office Hours:
MWF 8-9am
Online Office Hours:
TTh 9-10am
And By Appointment
I will always try to
check e-mail twice a
day (during the week)
and respond
promptly. I will not be
checking email after
7pm so please do not
send me any emails
that need immediate
attention after that
time.
Communications in a Global Age
COM 100
9:25am - McEwen 110 – Spring Term 2009
Textbook: Copeland, David and Anthony Hatcher, eds. (2007).
Mass Communication in the Global Age. Second edition.
Northport, AL: Vision Press. ISBN 978-1-885219-31-2
Description
Contemporary mass media play
a vital role in society, both locally
and globally. In this course,
students study the importance of
books, magazines, newspapers,
recordings, movies, radio,
television and the Internet, and
the messages carried through
news, public relations, and
advertising. The course
emphasizes the relationship of
media and democracy, theories
related to media effects, the
diversity of audiences and the
global impact of
communications.
Goal
The course will consider the
importance of mass media in the
United States and the world. It
introduces the major forms and
applications of professional
communications.
Objectives
• Introduce the First Amendment and help students become aware of
the role of media in freedom of expression in a democratic society.
• Review the historical development, roles, and applications of
media.
• Examine critically the impact of new technology, issues of ethics,
law, regulation, convergence, ownership, and global development.
• Consider the role of media with respect to diverse audiences.
• Discuss the informative, persuasive, and entertainment functions of
media.
• Critically view and examine messages from all media outlets.
• Investigate possible career paths in journalism, entertainment,
advertising, public relations or communication research/theory.
• Determine what major you may want to pursue in the School of
Communications.
COM100 - Communications in a Global Age
Page 2 of 3
Class Participation
We will be doing a great deal of inclass discussion and group
activities, so it is important that you
come to class prepared to offer
your opinions and thoughts about
what you have read and seen and
be open to the thoughts and
opinions of others. Everyone is
expected to speak up in class and
listen attentively when someone
has the floor. We are here to learn
from each other. Out of respect for
your fellow classmates and in the
spirit of open discussion, intolerant
or insulting comments will not be
permitted.
Class Schedule
Attendance
Attendance will be taken daily at
the beginning of class and after the
break. Three tardies will count as
an absence. The School of
Communications Policy allows you
three absences. If you miss four
classes your final grade will be
lowered by three points for each
additional absence. Eight
absences will cause you to
automatically fail the course. If you
are absent from class you are still
responsible for all assignments.
Attached to the syllabus you will find a class schedule with
information about what we will be covering each day in class along
with a list of speakers. There is also room for you to write in
assignments as they are given to you. Please note that this
schedule is subject to change.
Cell Phones & Laptops
Turn off all cell phones, iPods, and any other unrelated electronic
devices at the beginning of class. They are distracting for you and
for me. Laptops may only be used for note taking and some inclass assignments. Any other use (IM, email, Facebook, etc.) will
not be permitted. If you choose to take notes via laptop please sit
on the front row so that I can continue to see you.
Academic Integrity
Elon’s honor pledge calls for a commitment to Elon’s shared values of Honesty, Integrity, Respect
and Responsibility. To be clear about what constitutes violations of these values, you should be
familiar with the Judicial Affairs policies in the student handbook, including violations outlined at
http://www.elon.edu/eweb/students/handbook/violations/default.xhtml. If you have questions about
the specific interpretation of these values and violations as they relate to this course contact me
immediately. Violations of the academic-related areas will be documented in an incident report to be
maintained in the your judicial record, and may result in a lowering of the course grade and/or failure
of the course with an Honor Code F.
Documented Disabilities
If you are a student with a documented disability who will require accommodations in this course,
please register with Disabilities Services in the Duke Building, Room 108 (278-6500) for assistance in
developing a plan to address your academic needs.
Page 3 of 3
COM100 - Communications in a Global Age
Final Exam
Schedule
Assignments
Detailed assignment descriptions will be posted on Blackboard. All
assignments should be typewritten and turned in on time. No late or emailed
assignments will be accepted. If you are absent from class you are still
responsible for your assignments
Reading Assignments: You will be given regular reading
assignments from the textbook as well as outside sources. Our daily
discussions will originate with these readings so it is important for you to
keep up the assignments.
Saturday May 16
8am
The Final Exam
must be given during
the specified exam
period. No early or
late exams will be
given.
Creative Writing Assignment: You will write a letter to yourself
from the year 2020. You will include information about your career and
how you receive your news and entertainment in the future. 3-5 pages
In-Class/Homework Assignments: You will be given regular
group and individual assignments in and outside of the classroom.
Homework assignments must be typewritten and turned in on time.
Emailed or late assignments will not be accepted.
Quizzes: Scheduled quizzes covering readings and in-class
discussions will be given weekly. Make-up quizzes will not be given.
Your lowest quiz grade will be dropped.
Midterm/Final Exam: The exams will include information from
readings, quizzes, in-class discussion, and research presentations.
There will be an in-class study session before the exams.
Group Research Presentations & Papers: You and two
partners will be given a topic to present to the class within a 15-minute
time frame. It is your responsibility to effectively and creatively inform the
class about your assigned topic. You will turn in your Power Point
presentation, 5 possible final exam questions about your topic, 5page research paper with a minimum of 10 sources, and a Works
Cited Page (MLA style). Only legitimate sources will be accepted (no
Wikipedia) and 3 of your sources must be from books. You will be giving
a detailed evaluation of your partners’ performance so it is important that
everyone participates in the project equally.
Evaluation
In-Class Participation - 10%
Research Presentation – 20%
Research Paper - 20%
Final Exam - 20%
Creative Writing Assignment - 10%
Homework/In-Class Assignments - 10%
Quizzes - 10%
Grading Scale
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
93 and above
90-92
87-89
83-86
80-82
77-79
73-76
70-72
67-69
63-66
60-62
59 and below
Grade
Breakdown
A Range
Distinguished Work
B Range
Above Average
Performance
C Range
Acceptable
Performance With
Basic Understanding
D Range
Passing Performance
Despite Difficulties