Syllabus for COM-120-OL
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Introduction to Mass Communications I looks at the nature and history of how complex organizations produce public messages. The course examines the development of mass media after the invention of the printing press, the telegraph and telephone, and photography. It also examines the relationship between mass communication and culture as well as the historical and cultural significance and impact of the media.
After completing Introduction to Mass Communications I, you should be able to:
You will need the following materials to complete the work of the course. These materials are available from the textbook supplier, MBS Direct. Textbook The Dynamics of Mass Communications, 10th ed., by Joseph R. Dominick (New York: McGraw-Hill, 2009).
Introduction to Mass Communications I is a 3-credit, online course. You are required to read the text, complete five (5) written assignments, participate in online discussions, take a midterm examination and submit a final project in the form of a paper. For the course's assignment modules (study assignments, online discussions, and written assignments), go to the Assignment Modules area of the course Web site.
Introduction to Mass Communications I has four (4) graded online discussions, each focusing on a different subject. There is also an ungraded but required discussion in Module 1 titled "Introductions." All class discussions take place on the class Discussion Board. Communication among fellow students and with the mentor is a critical component of online learning. Participation in online discussions involves two distinct activities: an initial response to a posted question (discussion thread) and subsequent comments on classmates' responses. Meaningful participation is relevant to the content, adds value, and advances the discussion. Comments such as "I agree" and "ditto" are not considered value-adding participation. Therefore, when you agree or disagree with a classmate, the reading, or your mentor, state and support your agreement or disagreement. You will be evaluated on the quality and quantity of your participation. Responses and comments should be properly proofread and edited, professional, and respectful. For additional information on online discussions, see Online Discussions in the Online Student Handbook.
Introduction to Mass Communications I has five (5) written assignments. Each assignment consists of two or three essay questions. As part of Written Assignment 4 you are also required to submit an outline of your final project for your mentor's review. Take the time to familiarize yourself with the Assignment Modules area of the course Web site, and read through the written assignment questions before you begin each lesson. Your answers to the assignment questions should be well developed and convey your understanding of the course materials. Formulate responses in your own words (do not merely copy answers from your reading materials), citing text materials where appropriate and in an appropriate manner. Prepare your written assignments using whatever word processing program you have on your computer. Include your name at the top of the paper, as well as the course name and code and the semester and year in which you are enrolled. Before submitting your first assignment, check with your mentor to determine whether your word processing software is compatible with your mentor's software. If so, you can submit your work as you prepared it. If not, save your assignment as a rich-text (.rtf) file, using the Save As command of your software program. Rich text retains basic formatting and can be read by any other word processing program. When satisfied that your assignment represents your best work, submit it to your mentor by means of the
>>View/Complete Assignment link provided at the bottom of the respective assignment page. Use the Browse button within this link to locate and submit your assignment file. This course requires you to take a closed-book, proctored midterm examination
It is two and a half hours long and covers material in Modules 1, 2, and 3. It consists of multiple choice questions,
true/false questions, and essay questions.
If you have concerns about the format and/or content of the examination,
please contact your mentor at least a week in advance of the scheduled test. You may take the examination only during the designated exam week,
at an approved location, and with an approved proctor.
In this regard, you need to schedule your exam and submit your "Proctor Request Form" with the necessary documentation
no later than the end of the first week of the semester (see Administrative Forms in the
General Information area of the course Web site). If you are on a course extension and have not yet taken the midterm exam,
you must let your examination proctor know when you plan to take the exam and contact the Office of Test Administration
(609-984-1181) two weeks in advance to request that your exam be sent to the proctor. For more information on scheduling a proctored examination,
see the section
Examinations and Proctors in the Online Student Handbook.
You are required to submit at the end of this course a final project in the form of a paper. The purpose
of this final
project is to give you experience in researching one of the broad topics covered in this course.
You will: For specific details about this project go to the Final Project
Your grade in the course will be determined as follows:
Letter grades for online participation, written assignments, and the final examination are based on the following numerical grades:
Note: To receive credit for the course, you must earn a letter grade of D or higher on the weighted average of all assigned course work (e.g., exams, assignments, projects, papers, etc.). You will receive a score of 0 for any work not submitted.
First Steps to Success
Study Tips
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