Professor: Mike Adams

HGH TBA; Office Hours: TR 10-12

adams@email.sjsu.edu

COURSE INFORMATION: RTVF 77 is an introduction to electronic mass media communications using the traditional and mature formats of radio, TV and film, and the newer media delivery systems using satellite, Web, iPod, cell phone, etc. We will explore its history and evolution, structure, technology, careers, and social and cultural implications of both traditional real-time media content delivery, as well as the newer on-demand media. I will orient you to the possibilities of the BA RTVF and its related careers, introducing classes you may want to take, showing films made by our students, and helping you with major advising. Ask questions, participate in class discussion, and use this class to explore your future place in the media. There is no prerequisite for RTVF 77. This class will have an evolving on-line component.

This class will be a hybrid class, part in-person lecture and discussion, part on-line activity. I will expect you to read the assigned text chapters and be responsible for its content for tests and discussions. I will give information on topics that relate to what you read about but I will not lecture from the textbook. On Tuesdays I will introduce the activities, lectures and discussion for the week, and on Thursdays we may meet in person for oral presentations, or on line to take tests and other activities. Your 3 minute report to the class on a topic that interests you - programming, technology, history, an interesting media factoid, a show and tell – may be online or in person.

TEXTBOOK: Media/Impact, Shirley Biagi, Thomson/Wadsworth, 8^th Edition, 2009. This text is available new and used from the bookstore, and from amazon.com and other sources, in traditional book and e-book form. Prices vary widely and wildly.

BLACKBOARD AND WEB: There is a Blackboard site and Web resources that accompany the textbook, and an RTVF 77 site at: http://www.TRFT.org/RTVF77 The RTVF 77 Web has links to the textbook Web, a very useful resource, as is the book.

RTVF LIBRARY LIAISON: Paul Kauppila is the library liaison for RTVF. Contact him at (408) 808-2042 or Email with questions you may have about library research.

COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

1. Know the history, processes, and current structure of the electronic mass media, including the ethical, social, and political effects of electronic communication on audiences.

2. Learn how to use online and library resources to retrieve, evaluate, and effectively present a variety of opinions on an issue in the electronic mass media.

3. Gain an understanding of the career possibilities in electronic media.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING:

1. Two Quizzes each worth 15% each

2. A midterm and final each worth 20%

3. A 3 minute oral presentation worth 20%

4. Class participation, on line discussion, 10%

Total = 100%; Tests will require you to purchase Scantron forms at the bookstore.

A = 90-100%

B = 80-90%

C = 70-80%

D = 60-70%

F = less than 60%

SEMESTER SCHEDULE

WEEK 1: August 25/27: Introduction to RTVF 77, discussion of the Spring TRFT schedule, projects and productions, online resources.

WEEK 2: September 1/3: Introduction to mass media, communications, information about and sign up for Oral Class Presentations, Book: Chapter 1,

WEEK 3: September 8/10: TRFT films, Presentations Group 1 Book: Chapter 1

WEEK 4: September 15/17: Recording, Presentations Group 2, Book: Chapter 5

WEEK 5: September 22/24: Radio, history and technology, Quiz 1 on Thursday, Presentations Group 3, Book: Chapter 6

WEEK 6: September 29/October 1: Radio, programming, future, Presentations Group 4

WEEK 7: October 6/8: Movies, Presentations Group 5, Book: Chapter 7

WEEK 8: October 13/15: Television, historical, Presentations Group 6, Book: Chapter 8

WEEK 9: October 20/22: Television, technical issues, programming, ratings, current issues; MIDTERM on Thursday

WEEK 10: October 27/29: Digital, interactive, on-demand; Book: Chapter 8

WEEK 11: November 3/5: Digital communications, the Web, Presentations Group 7, Book: Chapter 9

WEEK 12: November 10/12: Advertising, Book: Chapter 10

WEEK 13: November 17/19: News and Documentary, Book: Chapter 12; Presentations Group 8; Quiz 2 on Thursday

WEEK 14: November 24/Thanksgiving Recess on Thursday: Social and Political Issues in media, Book: Chapter 13

WEEK 15: December 1/3: Law and regulation of media, ethical issues in media, Presentations Group 9, Book: Chapter 14

WEEK 16: December 8: Final day of class, final week of the semester, final details, Presentations Group 10 if needed, Review for Final

FINAL EXAM WEEK: December 10-16^th, RTVF 77 Final TBA 0945-1200, WSQ 109

UNIVERSITY POLICY INFORMATION:

Academic integrity statement (from the Office of Student Conduct and Ethical Development): “Your own commitment to learning, as evidenced by your enrollment at San José State University, and the University’s Academic Integrity Policy requires you to be honest in all your academic course work. Faculty members are required to report all infractions to the Office of Student Conduct and Ethical Development. The policy on academic integrity can be found at http://sa.sjsu.edu/student_conduct

Campus policy in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act: “If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible, or see me during office hours. Presidential Directive 97-03 requires that students with disabilities requesting accommodations must register with DRC to establish a record of their disability.”

UNIVERSITY RESOURCES

Student Technology Resources: Computer labs for student use are available in the Academic Success Center located on the 1st floor of Clark Hall and on the 2nd floor of the Student Union. Additional computer labs may be available in your department/college. Computers are also available in the Martin Luther King Library. A wide variety of audio-visual equipment is available for student checkout from Media Services located in IRC 112. These items include digital and VHS camcorders, VHS and Beta video players, 16 mm, slide, overhead, DVD, CD, and audiotape players, sound systems, wireless microphones, projection screens and monitors.

Learning Assistance Resource Center (LARC): The Learning Assistance Resource Center (LARC) is located in Room 600 in the Student Services Center. It is designed to assist students in the development of their full academic potential and to motivate them to become self-directed learners. The center provides support services, such as skills assessment, individual or group tutorials, subject advising, learning assistance, summer academic preparation and basic skills development. The LARC website is located at http:/www.sjsu.edu/larc

SJSU Writing Center: The SJSU Writing Center is located in Room 126 in Clark Hall. It is staffed by professional instructors and upper-division or graduate-level writing specialists from each of the seven SJSU colleges. Our writing specialists have met a rigorous GPA requirement, and they are well trained to assist all students at all levels within all disciplines to become better writers. The Writing Center website is located at www.sjsu.edu/writingcenter/about/staff/

Peer Mentor Center: The Peer Mentor Center is located on the 1st floor of Clark Hall in the Academic Success Center. The Peer Mentor Center is staffed with Peer Mentors who excel in helping students manage university life, tackling problems that range from academic challenges to interpersonal struggles. On the road to graduation, Peer Mentors are navigators, offering “roadside assistance” to peers who feel a bit lost or simply need help mapping out the locations of campus resources. Peer Mentor services are free and available on a drop –in basis, no reservation required. The Peer Mentor Center website is located at http://www.sjsu.edu/muse/peermentor/