Converged Media Syllabus 2

NORTH CAROLINA AGRICULTURAL AND TECHNICAL STATE UNIVERSITY Department of Journalism and Mass Communication Course Syllabus Course Information 14190-JOMC 470-001 Converged Media Projects Fall 2009 M/W 9:00 am-10:15 am Crosby Hall 110 Professor Contact Information Name: Dr. Kim Smith Phone: 336-334-7900 Ext. 3010 (Office) 704-953-3290 (Cell) E-mail addresses [email protected] or [email protected] Office Location :Room 119 Crosby In-Person Office Hours 10:30-12:30 p.m. and 4:00-5:30 pm MW. Other times by appointment Online Office Hours: T and TH 9 a.m to noon; 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Other Information: The best way to reach me is via cell phone or email. I also have a Facebook page and we can communicate there as well. So I’m requiring that every one of you have an FB account. Once you sign up on Facebook (it’s free), type in “kim smith journalism” or this e-mail address [email protected]. Sign up to become friends of mine. It’s important that you do that because there is a lot of information there. I have a pretty lengthy and expensive commute from Charlotte, so I’m only here Monday and Wednesday in person. But with cell phone, FB, e-mail and BB there is no excuse for you to say that you haven’t been able to reach me. I’ll have my FB page up during online office hours. Click to chat, or leave message.

Course Pre-requisites, Co-requisites, and/or Other Restrictions A “C” or better in JOMC 220 and Junior/Senior Standing. (F;S;SS)

Course Description This lab course will allow students to apply the principles of writing and reporting in a cross media environment. Students will develop two converged media projects and a class website. Following completion of this course, students will receive a certificate. Student Learning Objectives/Outcomes • Learn communication theories and the searching/viewing habits of Internet users so that you can build compelling content that will attract and maintain viewers • Present Web content with text, audio, digital photography and video • Build your own blog/Web site where your productions will be housed • Learn how to use Internet-based hardware and software to help distribute your productions online AEJMC Values and Competencies for this course: • To develop good oral and written communication • To encourage students to participate in creative productions • To develop the ability of students to collaborate with specialists in other fields • To think critically, creatively and independently • To conduct research and evaluate information by methods appropriate to the communications professions in which they work • To write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications professions, audiences and purposes they serve • To critically evaluate their own work and that of others for accuracy and fairness, clarity, appropriate style and grammatical correctness • To apply basic numerical and statistical concepts when needed

Major Elements in this Course: • • •

Slideshows: The production of slideshows using digital cameras, with audio Pop quizzes: Pop quizzes are designed to keep you up to date on current events, as well as to make sure you are paying attention to things discussed in class. They could come at any time. Two final multimedia projects

Required Textbooks and Materials No text, but plenty of handouts and links from the Web, as well as ppt presentations. Required Materials To be determined Suggested Course Materials A personal laptop. Many of the assignments that you will do can be produced outside of class and can be e-mailed or posted on your blog, Web site.

Assignments & Academic Calendar Topics Covered this semester: • • • • • • • • •

Introduction Theories that explain the popularity of the Internet, FB MS and how we use this information to produce Web content that will be used. The Web-use habits of people and how we might use this information to produce compelling Web content. Build your own blog and using photos with text Using embedded maps to tell stories or supplement stories Production of slideshows and proper use of captions Adding audio to slideshows Using Visual Communicator to produce online video pieces Two special projects where you put all you’ve learned together

Major Assignments and quizzes: • • • •

Build online portfolio of multimedia works 60% A group project 30% Attitude 5% Quizzes 5% (THERE IS NO FINAL EXAM NOR EXTRA CREDIT)

Important dates: • • • • •

Sept. 7 Labor Day. No class Oct. 19 (Fall break) No Class Oct 30/Last day to withdraw from course without grade evaluation Nov. 25 No class Thanksgiving Dec. 4 Last day of class

Grading Policy A=90-100; B= 80-89; C=70-79, D=60-69, F=0-59 There will be a final letter grade reduction for each day a slideshow, podcast or, homework assignment is not finished on time. Excused absences will comply with the university policy on makeup work. See page 3 under Class Expectations and Policies for specific information. There will be no extra credit in this course. Another element that will have an impact on your final grade is your attitude toward others, how you deal with pressure, and constructive criticism. One point could be deducted or added to your final grade

depending upon your overall attitude. The point could come in handy when your grade is a 79 or an 89, the one point difference between a B and an A.

Course Policies Make-up exams No make ups unless I approve before you miss class. Extra Credit There is none Late Work No late work accepted unless approved before hand by me. Class Attendance The Department of Journalism and Mass Communication requires students to be ON TIME for class and to attend class on a regular basis. Students who have three (3) unexcused absences or who have less than 90 % attendance for classes meeting less than three (3) times a week will fail the course. Leaving class early does not constitute attendance of class. If a student is 10 minutes or more late for class, the student will be counted as absent. For every three (3) times you are late to class, it is one unexcused absence. NOTES: Parking problems are not an excuse for being late to class. You must plan in advance and you may have to park and walk. Not all notes excuse. Excused absences will comply with the following university policy on make up work. “Sickness (verification needed); – death of relatives (immediate family); participation in approved University related activities; acting in the capacity of a representative of the University (band, choir, sports related travel, etc); extraordinary circumstances (court appearance, family emergency – at discretion of professor, etc); require a signed statement. NOTE: Other reasons for class absence are not acceptable.”

Technical Support If you experience any problems with you’re A&T account you may call Aggie Tech Support (formerly Help Desk) at 336.334.7195.

Field Trip Policies / Off-Campus Instruction and Course Activities Student Affairs website http://www.ncat.edu/~staffair/; Student Handbook: http://www.ncat.edu/~deanofst/Handbook.htm; Student Travel Procedures and Student Travel Activity Waiver http://businessfinance.ncat.edu/policies%20and%20procedures%20index.htm Off-campus, out-of-state, and foreign instruction and activities are subject to state law and University policies and procedures regarding travel and risk-related activities. Information regarding these rules and regulations may be found at the website address: Student Travel Procedures and Student Travel Activity Waiver http://businessfinance.ncat.edu/policies%20and%20procedures%20index.htm. Additional information is available from the office of Student Affairs, please check the website at

http://www.ncat.edu/~staffair/. Below is a description of any travel and/or risk-related activity associated with this course.

Other Policies Class Expectations and Policies 1.

Cell Phone and Other Electronic Communication Devices: The following policy is a mandate from the Provost’s office, and applies to all types of electronic and communication devices. The use of cell phones inside the classroom during the classroom period is prohibited. Please be advised that placing or receiving calls as well as conversing on cell phones during the conduct of class shall be considered as disruptive behavior for students and unprofessional behavior for faculty and staff. Therefore, DO NOT place or receive calls during class. Your phone and other electronic devices will be confiscated for improper use and returned at the end of the class period.

4.

Blackboard and A&T Email Account: Many classes required students to access all class information, assignments, and exams via the interactive web-based program Blackboard for this class. The following are instructions for accessing Blackboard and how to handle potential access problems. Blackboard can be logged onto from any on- or off-campus computer connected to the Internet. The Internet address is . Blackboard does not reside on the A&T server. In the event the A&T server goes down, you may access Blackboard from an off-campus computer connected to the Internet. A student is automatically populated into every registered class’ Blackboard roster. If the student was not automatically populated into a class’ Blackboard roster, the student will not be able to access the data for that class. It is the student’s responsibility who was not populated into a class to call eLearning Systems, Bessie Nkonge , at (336) 256-1258 to get populated into the class’ Blackboard site. Every entering A&T student is assigned an A&T email address. If a student does not have an A&T email account, the student must request the creation of an account at the beginning of the semester. The student may request an account online at . It takes 24 to 48 hours for this to become active. The student must make sure the A&T email account is activated and the inbox is not full to ensure proper operation. If the account is not activated or the inbox is full all messages sent to that account will bounce back to the sender as undeliverable. The student’s A&T email account username is also the username for Blackboard. The password for Blackboard is the student’s A&T email password. The default password for your A&T email account is the first four characters of the username and the last four digits of the social security number (unless the student sets up your account online). The A&T e-mail account is the address professors and classmates will use to contact you via Blackboard. Check Blackboard and A&T email accounts daily! The students are responsible for accessing information sent to them via these accounts. For problems logging into your A&T email account contact the Helpdesk in Bluford Libary at 336334-7195. For problems with Blackboard call the eLearning Systems, Bessie Nkonge at 336-2561258 . The professor has no control over the email system or Blackboard, and can not address or solve any technical problems. It is the student’s responsibility to get any problems resolved by contacting the appropriate person.

5.

Adverse Weather and University Events: In the event of adverse weather, class will be held unless the Chancellor closes the University or cancels classes. If classes are canceled, an announcement to that effect will be made on A&T’s web site <www.ncat.edu>, WNAA, local television stations. Students must use their own discretion to determine if they can safely make it to class and return home. Class will only be canceled and your absence excused for University events if the Chancellor suspends classes. Your participation in University events or a “please excuse note” might not be accepted by the professor as an excused absence. An excuse note deemed appropriate by the University will allow you the opportunity to make up missed work. For more information about this policy see the University’s Policy on Make-Up of Required Course Work.

6.

Academic Integrity Policy: Enrollment in class means that the student agrees to abide by the University’s Academic Integrity Policy. For specific information refer to the 2004 Student Handbook. Also see page 82 of the 2003-2005 Undergraduate Bulletin for the Academic Dishonesty Policy. I will enforce NC A&T’s Academic Honor Code. Your responsibilities in the area of honesty include, but are not limited to, avoidance of cheating, plagiarism, and improper or illegal use of technology. Your presentations, assignments, and quizzes are expected to be your own work. Any questions about these should be directed to the professor. It is permissible to request assistance from a librarian, a fellow student, or the professor when doing database research as long as the selection and organization of the research for presentation is your own. If you are caught cheating (provider or receiver) or plagiarizing on any assignment or test, you will receive an “F” for the course regardless of your cumulative grade point average.

Professor Availability The professor is available during the above posted office hours and by appointment to discuss any concerns or questions you may have. Please do not hesitate to call during the day or email if you need to schedule an appointment. If you email, check your email for a reply. Please contact me for an appointment if you have any concerns, questions or problems with the class material, readings, or assignments.

(e.g., copyright guidelines, confidentiality, etc.) Student Handbook: http://www.ncat.edu/~deanofst/Handbook.htm Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act http://www.ncat.edu/~registra/ferpa_info/index.htm Student Conduct & Discipline North Carolina A&T State University has rules and regulations that govern student conduct and discipline meant to ensure the orderly and efficient conduct of the educational enterprise. It is the responsibility of each student to be knowledgeable about these rules and regulations. Please consult the undergraduate http://www.ncat.edu/~acdaffrs/Bulletin_2008-2010/2008-2010_Undergraduate_Bulletin.pdf and graduate bulletins: 2008-2010 Graduate Catalog.doc http://www.ncat.edu/~gradsch/cstudents.html and student handbook http://www.ncat.edu/~deanofst/Handbook.htm for detailed information about specific policies such as academic dishonesty, cell phones, change of grade, disability services, disruptive behavior, general class attendance, grade appeal, incomplete grades, make up work, student grievance procedures, withdrawal, etc.

These descriptions and timelines are subject to change at the discretion of the Professor.