JTC 413 New Communication Technologies & Society

Meetings: Mondays & Wednesdays, 4:00 - 5:15 p.m., Eddy 7

Professor: Dr. R.M. Martey

E-mail: rosa.martey [at] colostate.edu

Office Hours: Clark C-218, Tuesdays, 11:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.

PLEASE NOTE: In the event that this syllabus changes, the wiki version will be the updated and correct one. Check it regularly!

Download printable syllabus  (.pdf)

Tentative Course Outline

Please note that course schedule is subject to change with sufficient notice to students. This online version of the course schedule is the most recent updated version. See the readings page for current reading assignments.

Final exam Wednesday, Dec. 16 1:30-3:30p

Course Description: This upper level course explores the structures, institutions, cultures, and impacts of digital communication technologies. Through lectures, class discussions, homework assignments, and group research projects, students will develop an understanding of the major social issues in this area. Students are expected to gain a greater appreciation of the relations between science, technology, economics, culture and law in the field of communication as a result of their participation in the course.

In this course, students will explore the relationships among these areas at a macro level. Original research projects in five-person groups will present basic concepts and issues surrounding a selected technology to instruct the class from five different perspectives: Regulation; Identity/Representation; Consumption; Production; and Technology. By exploring each technology from these perspectives, students will gain an understanding of the interrelations of various aspects of media systems.

Texts: Readings will be available online. Additional required homework readings will also be on the homework page.

Assignments

1) Presentations: Starting in the sixth week of the semester, one class each week will be dedicated to presentations on a specific technology led by groups of five students (20% of grade). Each group member will choose a perspective from which to discuss the technology selected. After about 40 to 50 minutes of presentation, groups will lead a class discussion based on presentations and assigned readings. Presentation order will be randomly determined.

2) Paper: On the day s/he presents, each group member will submit a five-page (~1,600 words) research paper (20% of grade) on his/her technology from one of five perspectives: Regulation; Identity/Representation; Consumption; Production; or Technology. The paper must be original work, clearly written, and properly cited, using APA citation style. Do not use outline format, and pay close attention to length: over-long papers indicate lack of focus. This class does not require use of AP style.

3) Homework: Brief (300 word) homework assignments (20% total) based on readings and class discussion are due in class on Mondays throughout the semester. These assignments are graded (0, 1, or 1.5), and completing homework with excellence entitles the well-prepared student to an additional 0.5 points extra credit. Students may drop or skip one homework. Late homework will not be evaluated.

4) Exams: Comprehensive exams will be held mid-semester (10%) and during finals week (15%) that cover readings and lectures for the semester. The mid-term exam will be on material covered to date, and the final will draw on material from throughout the semester, emphasizing the latter half. All exams must be independent work.

Policies

Points Earned & Grade (subject to change if a curve is used):

A+ = 100% +

A = 95% - 99%

A- = 90% - 94%

B+ = 87% - 89%

B = 84% - 86%

B- = 80% - 83%

C+ = 77% - 79%

C = 74% - 76%

C- = 70% - 73%

D = 60% - 69%

F = 59% and below

Grading: You will not only be graded on the content of your assignments, but also the focus, accuracy, clarity, organization, creativity, and readability of your writing. Group work evaluations and your presentation outline will also factor into your presentation grade.

Note: In order to receive an A in this course, students must exhibit truly exemplary work. Simply fulfilling all assignments and participation will earn about a B. It is not expected that more than about 15% of the class will earn an A.

Attendance and participation: Students are expected to attend lecture on time. Those who leave early will have points deducted from their grade for that day. No exceptions will be made for participation grades: if you are not present, you will not get credit for participation that day.

Extra credit: Throughout the semester, there will be several opportunities for extra credit. Among them, most homework has the opportunity for 0.5 points extra credit.

Plagiarism and falsification: All work in this course is to be independent, with the exception of assistance from the professor or group projects. Plagiarism is a violation of the fundamental principles of intellectual property and academic integrity. Plagiarism includes: failing to cite properly direct quotes or paraphrases of others’ ideas; another person writing, editing, organizing, or otherwise significantly contributing to your work; turning in a project that you completed for another class. Students submitting any plagiarized or unacceptable assignments will receive an automatic grade of 0 for the full assignment or exam, other grade penalties, including a possible failing grade in the course, in addition to University disciplinary action. All cases of plagiarism and falsification will be reported to the Conflict Resolution and Student Conduct Services and will be placed on record. All papers will be passed through the University’s plagiarism service.

Late Assignments and Incompletes: Assignments turned in late will have an automatic reduction of 10% of its grade, NO exceptions. Incompletes will not be given for the course without a legitimate reason, to be determined by the professor. Legitimate reasons are extremely rare.

Missed Exams: Students who do not attend class the day of the exams may not take the exam later. Only students with a legitimate absence may make up the exam, and students must have documentation submitted to the professor before the exam to support their absence. Travel plans are not considered a legitimate absence.

Grade Disputes: Students who wish to dispute a grade may resubmit the assignment for consideration. If the student resubmits, the assignment will be re-considered, which means the grade may go up, down, or stay the same. Grade disputes will not be discussed over email. Students must make an appointment to meet with the professor to discuss grading issues.

Syllabus Changes: This syllabus is subject to change with sufficient notice to students.