SCOM110: Media and Culture

11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 • Modified 08/19/2024

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 the student 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. The course will introduce these as increasingly integrated and converging elements of a global information society.

Course Assignment

Textbook readings 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 2 of his/her classmates’ video introductions. The video must be recorded horizontally.

Discussions (3)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, 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 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

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. A PowerPoint with voice narration must be 6-10 slides, at least 6 minutes in length, and created with a screen capture program or service, A Video Presentation must be 6-10 minutes in length and created with VideoCapture Powered by GoReact (McGraw Hill Connect) a webcam, or laptop camera.

Connect Exercise Assignments (15)

These simple exercises 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.