Tulsa Community College—METRO Campus [Spring 2013]

Communications Services Division

JRMC 1013 Introduction to Mass Communications

Day(s) and Time(s): Self-paced with weekly assignments / Start and End Date for Course: Jan. 14 – May 12, 2013
Course Number: 1013 / Section Number: 190
Room Number for Course: Online / Call Number: 21913
Course Delivery Method:Online / Course Format:Blackboard will be used for 100% of course management
Instructor:Dr. Beverly S. Bailey
Program Coordinator/Associate Professor
Journalism/Mass Communications/Digital Media / Instructor’s Phone Number:
918-595-7045
Email: (email communication generally will result in faster response if I am not available to answer my phone at the time of your call.) / Blackboard Site:
Office Location: MC4C (Center for Creativity) Room 3020 / TCC Website:
Office Hours: M 12-3:30 p.m.
T 1-3:30 p.m.
W 12 – 2:30 p.m.
R 1-2:30 p.m. / TCC Computer Helpdesk: If you have difficulty logging onto or using the course Blackboard site or MyTCC, contact TCC’s Computer Helpdesk at 918-595-2000.

To Contact the Division Office

Division Name: Communications Services Division

Associate Dean: Dr. DeAnna Cooper

Office: MC-423

Phone: 918-595-7064

Course Prerequisites

None—not restricted to journalism majors

Next Course(s) in Sequence:Dependent upon student’s chosen major and emphasis area. Students are encouraged to meet with advisors as soon as possible upon entering program.

Course Description

A survey course designed to provide students with a panoramic view of mass communications in the digital age and an understanding of the role of mass media in modern society. Not restricted to Journalism and Mass Communications majors. Three hours lecture. No laboratory. Offered fall, spring, and summer terms.

Textbooks and Supplemental Material

Introduction to Mass Communication: Media Literacy and Culture by Stanley Baran. Boston, MA: The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc.

ISBN:9780073526157; Edition/:7TH 11; Published Date: 2011

Ebook ISBN for students choosing to use the electronic version instead of the soft cover version: 9780077403874

You also will be required to keep up with media and news reporting. Read newspapers (print copies or online), watch television news and entertainment, listen to radio, spend time reviewing information online, etc. Keep up with current events.

Students need to go to to review online course technical requirements.

Students need to go to to complete the online course orientation.

Technical Skill Requirements

You should be comfortable with the following:

  • using a word processor (changing font, spell check)
  • using email for communication
  • sending an email attachment
  • navigating the Internet
  • downloading appropriate plugins
  • using an Internet search engine
  • taking quizzes through the lockdown browser (we will review)
  • submitting assignments using the assignment tool
  • using the discussion board

Course Objectives

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to—

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the dynamics of mass media, its history, theories, processes and effects
  • Describe media’s legal and ethical implications on society
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the effects of new and emerging technologies upon mass communications
  • Demonstrate communication skills appropriate to the course

Teaching Methods

Strategies include: Reading resources linked to the textbook and the Internet, PowerPoint chapter overviews with assignment instructions; chapter quizzes; project and process-oriented individual and collaborative projects; use of the discussion board; use of the Internet; and e-mails among students and between individual students and the professor.

Syllabus Changes

The instructor may change the syllabus through announced or published changes.

Attendance Policy – Time Commitment – Student Expectations

Attendance (regular participation in the online classroom) is essential for maintaining the best learning environment. Learning occurs in relationship not only between student and course materials, but, just as importantly, peer to peer, professor to student, and student to professor.

NOTE: This Internet class demands that the student be self-motivated and self disciplined. You are responsible to keep up with the schedule, assignments, and exams. I will be contacting you throughout the semester by email, and Blackboard is available at all times.

What You Should Understand About Internet Classes

  1. Be realistic about the amount of time required to do the coursework
  2. Plan to spend 3 to 5 clock hours per week for every credit hour
  3. Schedule class time just as if you were attending class on-campus
  4. Turn in your work ON TIME
  5. Online is NOT easier!
  6. Participate actively in the class
  7. Use e-mail and the discussion boards to communicate often with your instructor and other classmates
  8. Log onto the class at least 3 times a week; Don’t wait to review the week’s Learning Unit until the weekend it is due. Review it early in the week; contact the instructor if you have any questions.
  9. Do NOT fall behind in your assignments
  10. ASK for help when you need help

Bad Weather or Emergency Cancellation Policy

Note: This course does not meet on campus. It is 100% online. Tulsa Community College rarely closes. Classes may be cancelled if extreme weather conditions or emergency situations arise. TCC always gives cancellation notices to radio and television stations. This information is also available on the TCC website. If this happens, please refer to Blackboard site ( for the course website. Any changes related to the class will be posted on this site.

Late Work/Make-up Exam Policy

All weekly assignments are due by Sunday (11:59 pm). Late assignments are subject to a 20% reduction provided that they are submitted within 5 days following the due date. Any work submitted after the 5-day grace period, will not receive any credit. Learning Units will be removed from the Blackboard site after the grace period, and will no longer be available to students. All work must be completed by Dec 13. Acceptance of late work due to emergency will be at the discretion of the instructor. Student may be required to provide written documentation (such as a doctor’s note). Student computer problems will not be accepted as an excuse for late work. If you are having problems with your computer, be sure to have a backup available. TCC provides computer labs at all campuses.

Withdrawal/Audit Policy

The deadline to withdraw from a course shall not exceed 3/4 the duration of any class. [The last day to “withdraw” or to change from “credit to audit” this semester is Friday,April 12, 2013. Not attending class does not constitute withdrawal.

Begin the process with a discussion with the faculty member assigned to the course. Contact the Advisement Office at any TCC campus to initiate withdrawal from a course ('W' grade) or to change from Credit to Audit. Withdrawal and/or change to an audit from a course after the drop/add period can alter the financial aid award for the current and future semesters. Students may receive an outstanding bill from TCC if the recalculation leaves a balance due to TCC. Students who stop participating in the course and fail to withdraw may receive a course grade of “F,” which may have financial aid consequences for the student.

Before you withdraw from a course, be sure to complete the following steps:

  1. Talk with me. There may be alternatives to withdrawal that you have not considered. Withdrawing from a course is a decision that you and I should make together.
  2. If we decide that withdrawal from the course is best, you should go to the Counseling Office in MC 1014and request the “Withdrawal” form.
  3. Staff in the Counseling Office will help you fill out the paperwork and process the withdrawal.
  4. You should keep a copy of the withdrawal form as a permanent record of the transaction.

Note: Students who stop participating in the course and fail to withdraw may receive a course grade of “F,” which may have financial aid consequences for the student.

Classroom Etiquette

Students are expected to display tolerance for others’ views on Discussion Board forum and through emails. Comments and language should be respectful and appropriate for a college community.

Extra Credit Policy

Extra credit opportunities are not provided in this course.

METRO Instruction Labs

Writing Center—MP-200Communications/Reading Lab—MC-536

Academic Mathematics Lab—MC-529Foreign Language Lab—MC-430A

Microcomputer Lab—MP-200

Evaluation Techniques

Grades will be calculated as follows:

90-100 percent = A

80-89 percent = B

70-79 percent = C

60-69 percent = D

59 percent or below = F

Weekly Chapter Quizzes: 45 points each

Weekly Chapter Discussions: 30 points each

Please be aware that, according to Distance Learning guidelines, grades and other confidential material will NOT be sent by email. Grades can be accessed using Blackboard Student Tools.

27-30 points / 23-26 points / 20-22 points / 15-19 points / Below 15 points
The primary discussion and all responses to classmates’ discussions
display a well-thought-out, effort. Discussions address the issue in a thorough manner, using examples and referring to the text and/or outside resources. Responses add to the discussion thread, furthering the discussion started in the thread. / The primary discussion and all responses to classmates’ discussions display a well-thought-out effort. Discussions are strong, but could be more thorough, need stronger use of examples and references. Responses may add to the discussion thread to a degree, but could be stronger in furthering the overall discussion. / The primary discussion needs to be more thorough and address the thread topic in a more in-depth manner. Responses to classmates’ posts do not adequately further the thread discussion. Note: 10 points will be deducted for each missing post or response. / Primary discussion does not adequately address the thread topic. Responses to classmates’ posts are missing or do not address the thread discussion. Note: 10 points will be deducted for each missing post or response. / Post and/or responses are missing. Posts and/or responses do not address the thread topic.

Online Course Discussion Assignment Rubric

Your discussions will be graded using this rubric

Academic Dishonesty

Academic dishonesty (cheating) is defined as the deception of others about one’s own work or about the work of another. Academic dishonesty or misconduct is not condoned or tolerated at campuses within the Tulsa Community College system. Tulsa Community College adopts a policy delegating certain forms of authority for disciplinary action to the faculty. Such disciplinary actions delegated to the faculty include, but are not limited to, the dismissal of disrespectful or disorderly students from classes. In the case of academic dishonesty a faculty member may:

  • Require the student to redo an assignment or test, or require the student to complete a substitute assignment or test;
  • Record a "zero" for the assignment or test in question;
  • Recommend to the student that the student withdraw from the class, or administratively withdraw the student from the class;
  • Record a grade of "F" for the student at the end of the semester. Faculty may request that disciplinary action be taken against a student at the administrative level by submitting such a request to the Dean of Students.

Computer Services Acceptable Use

Access to computing resources is a privilege granted to all TCC faculty, staff, and students. Use of TCC computing resources is limited to purposes related to the College’s mission of education, research, and community service. Student use of technology is governed by the Computer Services Acceptable Use Statements/ Standards found in the TCC Student Code of Conduct Policy Handbook. These handbooks may be obtained by contacting any Student Activities or Dean of Student Services office.

ADA Policy

DISABILITY RESOURCES:It is the policy and practice of Tulsa Community College to createinclusive learning environments. Accommodations for qualifying students in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act are available. To request accommodations, contact the Education Access Center (EAC) at r call (918) 595-7115 (Voice). Deaf and hard of hearing students may text (918) 809-1864.

Institutional Statement

Each student is responsible for being aware of the information contained within the TCC Catalog, TCC Student Handbook, TCC Student Code of Conduct Policy Handbook, and semester information listed in Class Schedule:

-TCC First Stop Help Desk:

-TCC Catalog:

-Final Exam Schedule:

-Student Policies and Resource Handbook:

-TCC Student Services:

-METRO Student Organizations:

-Student Activities—College Wide:

-TCC Online Survival Guide:

Mission Statement

Tulsa Community College betters its community through the intellectual achievement, creative energy, and responsible citizenship of its students, faculty, and staff by their engagement in teaching, learning, and service opportunities that transform and enrich lives. Tulsa Community College commits to innovative, flexible, and affordable public higher education that responds to a dynamic global environment.

TCC Core Values

Student Success is the reason TCC exists. We strive for all students to be successful in their educations and we strive for the education to effectively prepare students for their lives. Learning is the focus because it is the essence of an institution of learning.

Excellence drives us. We strive to provide excellent education to our students, excellent resources to our community, and excellent administration and management for our employees.

Stewardship guides our daily decision-making. We investigate community needs and expectation and then respond by providing quality education that is responsive, convenient and affordable.

Innovation sparks our creativity and ensures that the hearts and minds of our students, faculty, staff and administration are actively engaged in acquiring learning, increasing our knowledge, and leading the community forward.

Diversity is our common bond. Sincere appreciation for and cultivation of differences enriches our lives, the community and the education we offer. It is a source of our pride and integral to our success.

TCC General Education Goals

Tulsa Community College students will be able to demonstrate:

Goal #1: Critical Thinking
Critical thinking is the ability to use reasoning skills or strategies to analyze, evaluate and integrate information.

Goal #2: Effective Communication
Effective communication is the ability to develop organized, coherent, unified written and oral presentations for various audiences and situations.

Goal #3: Engaged Learning
Engaged Learning is meaningful participation in civic, scholarly and cultural activities.

Goal #4 Technological Proficiency
Technological proficiency includes knowledge of productivity and communication application tools, electronic research capability, and discipline-related technologies.

Tentative Course Agenda:

The instructor may change the assignment schedule at any time by verbal or written notification in class.

Week / Date / Due / Class / Quiz/Exam / Reading for Week
1 / 1/14 / Syllabus
Introductions / Syllabus
2 / 1/21 / Ch. 1 Assignments / Mass Comm. Culture & Media Literacy / Ch. 1 / Baran, Ch. 1
3 / 1/28 / Ch. 2 Assignments / The Evolving Mass Comm. Process / Ch. 2 / Baran, Ch. 2
4 / 2/4 / Ch. 3 Assignment / Books / Ch. 3 / Baran, Ch. 3
5 / 2/11 / Ch. 4 Assignment / Newspapers / Ch. 4 / Baran, Ch. 4
6 / 2/18 / Ch. 5 Assignment / Magazines / Ch. 5 / Baran, Ch. 5
7 / 2/25 / Ch. 6 Assignment / Film / Ch. 6 / Baran, Ch. 6
8 / 3/4 / Ch. 7 Assignment / Radio/Recording/Popular Music / Ch. 7 / Baran Ch. 7
9 / 3/11 / Ch. 8 Assignment / TV/Cable/Mobile Video / Ch. 8 / Baran, Ch. 8
10 / 3/18 / SPRING BREAK
11 / 3/25 / Ch. 9 Assignment / Video Games / Ch. 9 / Baran, Ch. 9
12 / 4/1 / Ch. 10 Assignment / Internet/Web / Ch. 10 / Baran, Ch. 10
13 / 4/8 / Ch. 11 Assignment / Public Relations / Ch. 11 / Baran, Ch. 11
14 / 4/15 / Ch. 12 Assignment / Advertising / Ch. 12 / Baran, Ch. 12
15 / 4/22 / Ch. 14 Assignment / Media Freedom/Regulation/Ethics / Ch. 14 / Baran, Ch. 14
16 / 4/29 / Ch. 15 Assignment / Global Media / Ch. 15 / Baran, 15
17 / 5/6 / Final Assignment Due

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