JRN1 / CTVR 1 Course Overview

The study of how mass media and technology impact society, including their functions, responsibilities, and influences.

The ability to critically analyze and evaluate media messages, understanding their purpose and impact.

The use of media technologies to communicate with a large, heterogeneous audience, influencing public opinion and culture.

The ways in which mass media portrays and represents diverse groups, including gender and cultural identities.

A set of principles guiding ethical behavior in media production and consumption, considering fairness, truthfulness, and responsibility.

The laws and regulations governing media content and practices, protecting freedom of speech and responsible communication.

Understanding the historical development of media, from its origins to the present.

The ability to effectively communicate with a large audience through mass media platforms.

Open Educational Resources (OER) are learning materials that are openly licensed, allowing for free use, adaptation, and sharing.

OER are a type of learning resource made available through Creative Commons licenses or similar licenses.

OER encompass a wide range of learning materials, including readings, articles, case studies, videos, and podcasts.

Courses using OER are often supplemented with additional resources, such as those from the Library of Congress or government reports, that are freely available.

OER used in courses are typically vetted by experts to ensure quality and relevance to the course content.

Students are expected to have basic computer skills, including file management, word processing, email, and web browsing.

Students are expected to access course materials, submit assignments, take quizzes, and participate in discussions online.

For online activities, students should use their Saddleback College email account for Google Workspace, not a personal email account.

The Canvas Learning Management System is used for course materials, communication, feedback, and grades.

Students should have continuous reliable access to a computer with internet connectivity for course assignments.

Students are encouraged to use Google Workspace for learning and collaboration, including tools like Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides.

Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to open PDF documents.

Perusall is a web-based platform used to annotate and discuss readings, lectures, videos, podcasts, and other course materials.

Annotation is the act of adding notes or comments to a text, image, or other piece of information.

Perusall promotes collaborative learning by allowing students to annotate and interact with each other and the instructor on assigned materials.

Assignments that encourage students to actively read and engage with material by annotating, commenting, and interacting with classmates.

These assignments are meant to help you understand key concepts and develop your critical thinking skills. They can be short answer responses, essays, or other creative projects.

Quizzes that cover the material from each week of the course. They help assess your understanding and encourage regular studying.

Activities done in class to encourage discussion and active participation. Examples include Think-Pair-Share, group work, or short quizzes.

A key part of the course grade, these assignments are worth 5-20 points and are graded based on annotations, reading, time spent, and class interactions.

You are allowed one zero grade for each assignment category, so don't worry if you miss one!

Assignments are generally due on Fridays at 11:59 pm, with a 24-hour grace period. Late submissions after that will be penalized.

Ensure you are using a Scantron 882E, a pencil with an eraser, and your own handwritten study guide. The professor will provide key terms.

A 15% penalty is applied to assignments submitted late after the 24-hour grace period. Late assignments can be submitted up to 48 hours after the original due date.

The midterm exam will be on a Thursday during class and the final exam will be given in class. Dates and times will be announced later.

These materials will be accessible in the Canvas system, which includes readings, assessments, lectures, videos, discussions, case studies, and papers/projects.

Make sure to check your grades frequently and contact the instructor early on if you have any questions or concerns.

The grading scale is based on points: 90-100%=A, 89-80%=B, 79-70%=C, 69-65%=D, 64-0%=F. There are no plus/minus grades in this course.

Students with disabilities need to register with DSPS for academic accommodations.

FERPA protects student privacy, preventing release of academic information to anyone but the student.

In case of an emergency, follow the instructions of the instructor or other staff.

Assignments that don't meet minimum requirements will be returned for revision.

AI and plagiarism are not permitted. No revision for these offenses.

Students are responsible for following instructions and submitting assignments correctly.

Ensure your submissions are uploaded in the correct format and location.

Academic dishonesty includes unauthorized AI use and plagiarism. Penalties may include handwritten assignments.

Additional assignments or projects that may be offered for extra credit, but are not guaranteed to be available.

A system that weighs different assignments or activities by a percentage to determine your final grade.

Short assessments given at the end of each unit to check for understanding.

Engaging in activities during class, like asking questions, contributing to discussions, and participating in group work.

"Perusall" is an online learning platform used in this course to support active reading and discussion.

Assignments involving media technologies, like videos, films, or digital projects.

A major assessment covering the course material halfway through the semester.

A comprehensive final exam covering the entire course content.

Arriving on time and being present for all classes.

Engaging in respectful conversations and discussions, considering diverse viewpoints.

Submitting work that is your own and citing sources correctly.

Official documentation from the university's Disabled Students Programs and Services office to receive accommodations for disabilities or other needs.

Communicating with the professor and checking for announcements or updates on Canvas or email regularly.

Technical issues, such as computer or internet problems, are not an excuse for late or missing work.

All submitted work must be in a format that can be opened and viewed by the instructor.

Using someone else's work without giving credit, pretending it's your own.

Getting unauthorized help on assignments, or using dishonest methods to get a good grade.

The act of using generative AI tools to create content for assignments without proper attribution.

When you use AI-generated content in an assignment and cite it properly.

A verbal warning, a zero on the assignment, and a careful review of future assignments.

Failure of the course and a disciplinary process that may result in suspension or expulsion.

A set of rules for citing sources and giving credit to authors in academic writing.

A clickable link that takes the reader to an online source, used in digital assignments.

A page at the end of an academic paper that lists all the sources used in the document.

Online resources offering tutoring assistance for students.

The process of teaching and learning that takes place in a classroom setting.

A structured plan outlining the content and activities for a course.

Content that is original and created by the student, showing their understanding of the course material.