Media and Culture – SCOM 110

Course Description

A global survey of digital communication (news, information, entertainment), including cultural impact, targeted messaging, collaborative solutions, and trust-relationships between content producers and their participating users. Course focus is on the application of these new forms of media in personal lives, organizations and business. (Formerly COMS 110)

Rationale

This course is designed to acquaint you with the field of communications—both the mass media of newspapers, magazines, books, radio, television, films, and cable, and the new interactive media of the Internet, wireless telephony, computers, and information services. We will introduce these as increasingly integrated and converging elements of a global information society.

Course Assignment

Readings, subject-relevant videos and lecture presentations

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist assignment found in the Course Overview.

Discussion: Class Video Introductions

In the first discussion, the student will create a short video introducing him/herself to the class. The student will post written responses (150 words each) to two of his/her classmates’ video introductions. The video must be recorded horizontally.

Discussions (3)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. The student is required to provide a thread in response to the provided prompt for each discussion. Each thread must be 250–300 words, demonstrate course-related knowledge, include 1 citation in current APA format, and include 1 biblical integration. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to two (2) other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be 175–200 words, include 1 citation in current APA format, and must reference the textbook readings.

Thinking Critically Assignments (3)

The student will select critical thinking questions to answer based on the assigned textbook readings and videos. The student will select questions from those provided in the Assignment Instructions folder. A minimum of 3 paragraphs of 3-5 sentences each is required per question/answer which is to include biblical worldview with supporting Scriptures as well as references to the course content. See the Thinking Critically Instructions for specific assignment requirements.

Each student will complete a topic analysis paper which will reflect his/her scholarship, interests, and worldview within the realm of media and culture.

The student will choose a topic related to the field of mass communication, digital or social media, or strategic communication that he/she wishes to analyze for his/her research paper. The student will submit the topic to the instructor for approval through the Quiz: Topic Analysis Paper Approval. Once the topic is approved, the student may begin his/her research.

The quiz is limited to 15 minutes and has 1 true/false and 1 short answer question.

Topic Analysis Paper Assignment

Each student will complete a topic analysis paper which will reflect his/her scholarship, interests, and worldview within the realm of media and culture.

The student will compose a topic analysis paper. The paper must include a single introduction paragraph and conclusion paragraph, as well as a title page and reference page. References should be current APA formatted.

The topic analysis content must be at least 6 pages, plus the title page and reference page (8 pages total).

The body of the paper will be split up in current APA level headings according to sub points of the topic and analysis.

The student will be required to cite a minimum of 6 peer-reviewed sources that are less than 5 years old both in-text and on the reference page. The textbook may be used as a reference in this paper; however, it does not count as one of the 6 required resources. Wikipedia or the dictionary may not be used as a source. The paper must also include a biblical worldview that highlights relevant Scriptures to the chosen topic and explanation of why they matter.

A research topic may be chosen from these broader topic areas: social media, public relations, advertising, branding, digital media production and distribution, journalism, radio, television or film production and distribution, freedom of speech, strategic communication or advertising/public relations.

The student will choose a more specific area from the topics above. Ex: “Social Media” is a very broad topic. Social Media as a News Delivery Device would be a more defined and manageable topic. “Advertising” would be very broad. But User Generated Content as an Advertising Vehicle would be more manageable. Is Fact-checking Part of a TV Reporter’s Job? would be a more narrow topic than television news.

Topic Analysis Presentation Assignment

General Assignment Overview

• The student will prepare a presentation based on the content of his/her Topic Analysis paper. He/she will submit this assignment via McGraw Hill’s “Connect” platform.
• The presentation will be a visual and auditory presentation of the important points of the Topic Analysis Paper.
• The student may choose the presentation method from PowerPoint or Video.
• Please Note: upon submission, you will see a zero in your Blackboard gradebook until your instructor has graded your assignment. Once graded, your score will update.  For confirmation of if you have properly submitted your presentation, please see tutorial videos linked below.

Presentation Creation Instructions

The presentation will be created as one of the following:

• A PowerPoint with voice narration (6-10 slides and at least 6-minutes in length) created with a screen capture program or service,

OR

• A Video Presentation (6-10 minutes in length) created with VideoCapture Powered by GoReact (McGraw Hill Connect) a webcam, or laptop camera.

Presentations can be created and/or submitted two different ways.  Become familiar with both processes to ensure that your Presentation is correctly formatted for an easy submission.  You will have the option of submission type once you click on your Assignment link in Blackboard. You may:

1. Record in McGraw Hill Connect: You will have the option to turn on/off video, audio, and screen sharing, depending on which presentation type you have selected. Watch this tutorial video for instructions.
2. Upload a Pre-recorded Video into McGraw Hill Connect: Watch this tutorial video for instructions.
   1. Upload any common video file of your presentation (no larger than 2GB).
      1. If you do not have a recording program of choice, try Screencast-o-matic. It is free and allows you to turn on/off video, audio and screen sharing, depending on which presentation type you have selected.  Save your presentation as a MP4 for easy upload.
   2. Upload your Presentation into YouTube and upload the YouTube URL.
   3. Record your Presentation via a recorded Zoom meeting and upload the Zoom URL.

Regardless of submission type, you may upload your Presentation Slides in a PDF format and time them with your video in Connect.  This step is covered in both of the tutorial videos linked above.

Additional Help

• These tutorial videos and other Orientation Videos are assigned in Connect.
• A practice assignment is available in Connect if you would like to practice recording, uploading, and/or submitting before your final presentation.
• If you have any questions or issues, call McGraw Hill Technical Support at 800-331-5094. They are available to help days, nights and weekends.

Tips

• The goal is to sound as conversational as possible. Do not simply record your voice reading the paper.
• If you choose to do a video, please be aware of your background. Is it pleasing to the eye? Is it properly lighted? Do you have clear audio?
• Most of all – HAVE FUN!

Connect Exercise Assignments (15)

These simple exercises to assess student interest and understanding on each chapter topic. 

Quizzes (4)

There will be 4 quizzes over the duration of this course. Each quiz will cover the Learn material for the assigned Module: Week(s) as well as the video content in the Module: Week(s). Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain multiple choice and true/false questions. The quizzes will have a 1-hour time limit.

Quiz: Final

The Quiz: Final will cover the Learn materials for all the assigned Module: Week(s). The Quiz: Final will be open-book/open-notes and contain multiple choice and true/false questions. The Quiz: Final will have a 1-hour time limit.