Cable, Broadband, & Interactive Digital Media

JEM 470, Fall 2005 2:10-3:25 p.m., TR, HSS 108

Instructor:

Benjamin J. Bates, Ph.D

Office hours: TR 3:30 - 5 p.m., W 9-12 & by appointment

333 Communications Bldg.

ph: 974-4291 ; fax: 974-2814 ; e-mail: ;

url: http://www.cci.utk.edu/~bates

Catalog Description:

History and structure of cable television industry and other broadband delivery systems (DBS, Internet, etc). Development of digital broadcasting, interactive television, and other broadband media systems and digital technologies. Regulatory, policy, programming, and management issues arising from new media and digital technologies.

Real Course Description & Goals:

This course will examine a wide range of new and emerging telecommunications technologies, with a focus on developing wideband telecommunications systems. We will consider the historical and future impacts of these technologies on existing and emerging industries, the policy and economics driving the implementation of these technologies, and their adoption and use by consumers. It is hoped and expected that students will come out of this course with:

* an understanding and appreciation for new technologies and their impact on media and society

* an understanding of how historic social, political, and economic forces shape the introduction and impact of new technologies

* an ability to critically examine the potential impact of new technologies and/or technological policy

Course Web Sites:

General Public Site (http://www.cci.utk.edu/~bates/b470home.html)

Official course website on Online@UTK

<http://blackboard.utk.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab=courses&url=/bin/common/course.pl?course_id=_111319_1>

(must be registered student enrolled in class to access)

Course Requirements:

Attendance and Discussion (10%):

While attendance is not strictly required, it is expected that students will come to class prepared, and will contribute to the lectures and discussions. This includes paper presentations (5%).

Tech Topic Report (10%)

Each student will be responsible for finding and reviewing at least two very current (within a few months) sources of info on some aspect of cable, broadband, or interactive digital media, and prepare a short summary (2-3 pages) of the latest info. It is recommended that you use Internet resources. The report and sources will be posted on the course Blackboard website. Must select and get instructor's approval of the tech topic by Sept 29. Final deadline 1 November, but I encourage people to do this earlier. I may also call on you when we cover that technology/aspect to give a short summation in class.

Tech Impact Book Report (10%).

Each student will be responsible for finding and reviewing a book examining the social, political, or economic impact of some digital technology or medium. Must select and get approval of book by October 11. Final deadline for book report is November 22.

Tests (40%):

There will be two tests given in class, each worth 20% of the final grade. The tests will combine multiple choice and short answer questions.

Term Paper (30%):

A substantial paper (15-25 pages) examining and analyzing some scholarly or practical question related to cable or emerging technologies. This is a major research paper, with expectations that you will undertake an independent and original analysis of some topic. There are three basic options:

Option A: A report on some existing or emerging application of cable or emerging technology. Provide a historical overview of that service or usage, a detailed consideration of the current applications and market, and critically analyze the future potential for that firm or service. Paper should include a current review of literature, and a well argued and supported position regarding the viability of the technology.

Option B: An examination and analysis of the social, political, or economic impact of cable or other emerging technology. This paper should set forth a thesis, and provide an extensive review of the relevant literature, and should include a thorough development of an argument in support of your thesis.

Option C. An examination and analysis of how social, political, or economic factors have shaped the development of some aspect of cable or new technologies. This paper should set forth a thesis, and provide an extensive review of the relevant literature, and should include a thorough development of an argument in support of your thesis.

The broad range of potential topics and perspectives is designed to allow students to pursue their own interests in this class. In addition, undergraduate students may approach the paper either individually or as a small group project. If you work in a group, the quality expectations will be commensurably higher, although the page requirements may not be. Graduate students must do either option B or C, and must work alone. There are also higher expectations for graduate student papers.

You should approach the professor with a topic proposal or a book to review and a technology to report on by mid October. At this time you should also indicate whether you are interested in working solo, or in a group. You can change topic or focus after this point, but you will need to notify and talk with the professor if you do so. The instructor reserves the right to limit the numbers of papers on certain topics, so it is to your advantage to select a topic early. Students can change topics at a later date, with instructor approval.

You are encouraged to think about turning the paper in early. Every effort will be made to grade papers and return them quickly. If you turn them in early enough, you will have an opportunity to revise and resubmit the paper by the final deadline of 14 December 2005 at 5 p.m. Only the last grade on the paper will be used in the calculation of the course grade.

You will also be expected to make a short presentation of your paper's findings and/or conclusions at one of the class meetings. Early term paper presentations will be treated as works in progress (that is, students are not required to have a completed paper at the time of presentation if they are presenting prior to 14 December 2005.)

The presentation will count for 5% of the final grade.

General Requirements and Notices:

* All materials to be turned in for this class must be typed, or printed on at least a NLQ computer printer. They should be double-spaced, with normal font sizes and margins. Short assignments may be sent via e-mail.

* Papers and longer assignments will be accepted online, as attachments in either Microsoft Word or RTF formats. If you do submit online, make sure you get a confirmation of receipt. It is the student's duty to ensure that the paper gets to the instructor.

* No extensions on the short reports or the term paper will be given. Students with extremely valid excuses may be given an opportunity to make up tests and other assignments. The instructor is the final arbiter of excuses and their acceptability. You must contact the professor as soon as you are aware of any problems or conflicts.

* While students are encouraged to study and work together, it is also expected that all work turned in will be original and individual-- plagiarism will not be tolerated and will result in a score of 0 on the plagiarized work and/or notification of appropriate authorities. If you still have any doubts as to what constitutes plagiarism, consult your various handbooks and guides, or ask the instructor.

* The instructor is willing to work with students with special needs, and make any necessary special arrangements possible to facilitate their learning experience in this class. However, those individuals will need to consult with the instructor about their needs as soon as possible.

* The instructor reserves the right to modify the course schedule and requirements. Any changes will be announced during class meetings and on the official class website (under announcements).

Readings:

Patrick R. Parsons & Robert M. Frieden. (1998). The Cable and Satellite Television Industries. Boston: Allyn and Bacon

Michael M. Mirabito & Barbara L. Morgenstern (2004). The New Communications Technologies. Boston: Focal Press.

Book, Connie Ledoux, (2004). Digital Television: DTV and the Consumer. Ames, IA: Blackwell.

NCTA. (2005). Cable and Telecommunications Industry Yearend Overview 2004. Available as free download at http://www.ncta.com/pdf_files/NCTAYearEndOverview04.pdf

Other readings as assigned. Most will be made available on the official course website.

Tentative Course Schedule

I'm reorganizing the class somewhat, so the following are guides to the schedule, with the exception of the exam dates. Those are firm and final. Specific readings will be listed on the official course website. Readings and topics are subject to change at the instructor's discretion.

Aug 25 Introduction and Overview

Aug 30 Foundations/Technologies/Theories

Sept 13 Multichannel Video Distributors (Cable, Sats, etc.)

Oct 11 Exam 1

Oct 18 Digital Media

Nov 1 Broadband/Internet

Nov 15 Policy and the Digital Future

Nov 29 Exam 2

Dec 1-14 Presentations (as needed)