betajames

Course: UNV 100 - Media Mix (4 credit hours)
Semester: Fall 2011
Instructors: 

• Dr. Mike Lewis, lewismi@umflint.edu, 381 UCEN (The Michigan Times newsroom) c-517 256 9345 | Office hours: 11-12:20pm Monday/Wednesday or by appointment 

• Dr. James Schirmer, jschirm@umflint.edu, 320D French Hall 810-766-7606 | Office hours: Monday/Wednesday by appointment

Course Description: 
In a mediated society, we all must become media literate as consumers and producers of media messages. This course explores traditional and new media with an eye toward building local and global communities. As such, much of our class time will be oriented toward discussion. When we share our ideas and perspectives with each other, we’ll work to give attention and respect. Because we are practicing media consumers and producers, we’ll all be able to relate to the demands media makes of us as well as the demands we make of media. In addition to discussion, we’ll read and write about media. Both should help in generating ideas and develop and reinforce critical reading and thinking skills.

First Year Experience courses are designed to introduce students to the university as an empowering academic environment. By creatively exploring the campus and local community, examining real-world problems from an interdisciplinary perspective, engaging in critical thinking, and actively working to solve problems, students will discover the connectivity of knowledge and skills necessary in working toward achievement of their academic dreams. 

Learning Outcomes:
After completing this course, you should be able to:

• Demonstrate facility with research methods utilizing media
• Use multiple perspectives and methodologies to analyze problems
• Reflect on your own learning processes
• Produce competent written work
• Apply knowledge to complex issues such as social justice, globalization, economic growth and distribution, environmental sustainability, public health, etc, in increasingly broad spheres of influences.

Required Texts:
Potter, W. James. Media Literacy. 5^th edition. SAGE Publications. 2011.

All other reading materials will be provided online. Dr. Schirmer also set up a supplementary course blog.

Policies & Procedures:
Attendance: We expect you to come to class on time, prepared, having completed the assigned reading and writing, and ready to contribute thoughts to class discussions, to listen with attentive respect to the thoughts of your peers, and to participate in all in-class group work.  We strongly urge you to attend every session, as most of the work done in class is necessary for successful completion of the course. Missing classes will have a negative effect on your learning.

Blackboard (Bb): This course will use Blackboard to coordinate the syllabus, additional readings, assignments, and grades. All assignments will be submitted through Bb, unless otherwise specified. This protects you by ensuring that a record is made of your work, and when you submitted it. It also allows you to receive quick feedback, including grades. You are responsible for using Bb to keep up-to-date on all class-related activities, and for monitoring all emails and announcements pertaining to this course.

Course Structure: Assignments and lessons will be presented in weekly folders labeled “Week 1” and so on, located in Bb under “Course Content.”

Deadline Policy: Deadlines are sacred in media work. Therefore, late work will not be accepted for any reason.

Drop/Add: The University drop/add policy will be explicitly followed. It is your responsibility to be aware of the University deadlines for dropping the course.

Format: Assignments should be written in 12-pt. Times New Roman font, and double-spaced and submitted through the Bb link at the bottom of each assignment. Save it as a Word document. Use your last name and the name of the assignment as the title. For example, Smith_1.doc

Evaluation: We will have at least 3 major assignments, midterm and final exams, and numerous quizzes and weekly activities, both via Bb and in class.

Grading scale: A: 90-100 | B: 80-89 | C: 70-79 | D: 60-69 | N: Below 60

Issues of Accessibility: It is our intention to support the full participation of all students in the learning process of this class. Situations may occur in which the learning style of individual students is not met by the instructional climate. Students who require specific or additional supports in acquiring the course content or demonstrating their achievement of the objectives should inform us of such needs immediately. You may also contact the Office of Accessibility Services in 264 UCEN, 762-3456 for direct assistance.

Netiquette: It is very easy for comments to be misinterpreted in the electronic environment since we can't see each other's faces for visual cues. It has been estimated that 80% of interpersonal communication is non-verbal and conveyed through facial expressions and body language. Since we don't have the luxury of the non-verbal cues, we must be careful in the words we choose. So, when sending messages or disagreeing with someone's point of view, please keep the tone respectful and friendly. Remember that everybody is worthy of respect and entitled to have an opinion. And remember to practice kindness. The University of Michigan is committed to expect respect and to creating an inclusive community.

Plagiarism: Plagiarism, defined as "the practice of taking someone else's work or ideas and passing them off as one's own" (The New Oxford American Dictionary, 2001, p. 1,304), is forbidden in any academic field, and especially in media work. All of the material that appears under your name must be your original work, with information properly attributed. You may be asked to authenticate your work by providing copies of research materials and taking oral examinations based on your work. If you commit plagiarism, you will automatically fail the course and will be referred to the Academic Standards Committee of the College of Arts and Sciences for disciplinary action, which could result in expulsion from the University. It is our expectation that ALL assignments are individually completed unless expressly specified as a group assignment. For more information please refer to Code of Student Conduct in the University’s Undergraduate Catalog under “Students Rights and Responsibilities.” http://catalog.umflint.edu/content.php?catoid=2&navoid=80#Student_rights

Publishing: Our goal is to publish your work this semester on the Web. As you’re gathering information and producing your work, keep in mind that people out there in ‘the real world’ may be reading it.

Technology Use: Because an increasing amount of writing occurs in an online format, we will engage a range of computer tools and web-based applications. No prior skill is needed, however, only a willingness to engage and learn. We are more than willing to take extra time; all you need to do is ask. Furthermore, a majority of the tools we will be using in and outside of class are web-based, so you will not need any special software. We might, however, have some recommendations (not requirements) that we will provide at appropriate intervals. You should also have an email address that you check regularly for this class. However, while technology makes life easier, it can also be difficult (computer crashes, deleted work, unavailable Internet connections, etc.). So, plan accordingly. "The computer ate my homework" or "the Internet was down" are not reasons to forgo the work assigned. It is in your best interest to leave extra time, especially in the first few weeks, to ensure that technology does not get in the way of your coursework.

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Final Note: 
Should any aspect of class confuse/concern/trouble you, don't hesitate to contact us.