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Course Objectives

Posted by Guy Reel | Winthrop University

This course will expose mass communication and integrated marketing communication majors to the fast paced world of Multi-media Story Telling.  The class is designed to introduce students to multiple forms of information delivery.  Through in-class lectures, demonstrations and exercises, students will study the different methods that are in use today for delivering information across multiple platforms. Students will be instructed on the use of digital video cameras, flip cameras, digital still cameras, MP3 audio recorders, USB audio mixers and microphones.  Students will be assigned projects that will require them to effectively deliver information using some or all of the above mentioned methods.

This is a new course so we will be experimental in our approach. That means this syllabus is subject to change.

REQUIRED TEXTS: "Journalism Next " by Mark Briggs; AP Stylebook.

 

Grade breakdown:

In-class exercises (20 percent)
Bi weekly blog posts – write about multimedia journalism and AP style each week. Posts must be at least 250 words and include links; those including multimedia will be smiled upon. (20 percent)
In-class projects – podcast(s); three video/audio stories; Google map; slideshow; InDesign/InDesign pdf;  Due dates TBA. (20 percent)
Midterm (20 percent)
Final profile project story with video, slideshow, story and map or other multimedia elements – present to class (20 percent)
Chapter presentations – credit/no credit (those not completing this portion will not receive a grade in the class).

 

Goals:

  • Exposure to technology used in multi platform delivery of information
  • Learn basic information gathering techniques (interviewing, research, etc.)
  • Learn basic audio and video editing
  • Learn basic video shot composition
  • Learn basic audio recording techniques
  • Exposure to Adobe Photo Shop, In-Design and Illustrator 
  • Posting of audio and video clips to the internet
  • Complete assigned projects

 

ASSESSMENT:

Quizzes
Tests
Projects
In-class presentations
________________________

Class:
will be engaged through lectures, presentations, and project work both in and out of class.

Students with Disabilities:
Winthrop University is dedicated to providing access to education.  If you have a disability and need classroom accommodations, please contact Gena Smith, Coordinator, Services for Students with Disabilities, at 323-3290, as soon as possible.  Once you have your Professor Notification Form, please tell me so that I am aware of your accommodations.

OFFICE HOURS:
I am available during office hours, by appointment, and on email. Regular office hours are indicated at the top of this syllabus. As the course progresses, don’t hesitate to ask for help whenever you need it!


Attendance is required. More than two absences will result in lowering of grade.   

                                                
ClassRoom Conduct:
As noted in the Student Conduct Code:  “Responsibility for good conduct rests with students as adult individuals.” The policy on student academic misconduct is outlined in the “Student Conduct Code Academic Misconduct Policy” in the online Student Handbook (http://www2.winthrop.edu/studentaffairs/handbook/StudentHandbook.pdf). 

We want to help you step out with confidence in your own abilities. Active engagement and regularity are very important for you to benefit from the class. Your success depends on your willingness to invest in preparing for a professional career. Free and fair discussion is very welcome but interactions should be conducted in a mutually respectful and enjoyable learning environment.

 

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

Make sure that your portfolio materials are your own. We take any acts of academic dishonesty, including plagiarism, very, very seriously. The concerned student/s will not only receive an immediate “unsatisfactory” grade in the course but will also be referred to the dean of students and dean of arts and sciences. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to, providing or receiving assistance in an unauthorized manner in the creation of work submitted for evaluation including papers, projects, assignments; presenting as one’s own the ideas or words of another for evaluation without proper acknowledgment; doing unauthorized academic work for which another person will receive credit or be evaluated; or presenting the same (or substantially the same) papers or projects in two or more courses without the explicit permission of the professors involved.

A tentative schedule is enclosed to help you keep track of class activities and important deadlines. I reserve the right to modify the schedule as the semester progress. Any changes to deadlines or schedule will be announced in class. If you are absent for whatever reason, check with me to cover the material you have missed.  I am available via email and in person to assist you during the semester. Don’t hesitate to take advantage of the offer!

*Note:  All assignments will go through several rewrites and/or edits before they are given a final grade. Once the final grade is given the student will post their finished work to the class website. The class website will serve as the student’s end of semesterculminating project.

Course Breakdown

Weeks  1 & 2             Lecture: Course introduction:  Overview of assignments, computers, software, and various
pieces of equipment; creation of blogs.

                                    Power Point: “Finding the Story”
                                    Assignment: Gather and write story using assigned topic 
                                    Turn in (or post) story                                    
                                   
Week  3 & 4              Lecture: introduce audio recording and editing (Audacity & Garage Band)
                                    Research, writing and editing for audio
                                    In class exercise posting to the web/podcasting
                                                                                           
Week  5  & 6             Lecture: introduce video recording and editing (iMovie)
                                    Research, writing and editing for video 
                                    Midterm

Week  7 & 8              Lecture: introduce writing and editing for the web
                                    Research, writing and editing for the web 
                                  
Week  9 & 10           Using the power of social media for mass communication
                                    Social Media module: Twitter, Facetime/Skype, Facebook, Blogging,
                                    Storify, etc.                          
                                 
Week 12 & 13          Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator and) 
                                    and Google Maps                  

Week 13 & 14          (and forming the basis of the final examination)
                                    Conceptualizing and executing a multimedia research project which 
                                    requires students to communicate in all the major platforms covered
                                    throughout this course.
                                    Example: 1 story told multiple ways (written, audio, video, blog,
                                    graphics, etc.)
                                    
                       
Week 15                    Final:  Make sure all projects are posted to your site; present final project to class.

*Note: This schedule is not written in stone and is subject to change.  Changes will be 
           made if it is clear that the class needs to spend more time on a certain area or areas.   

 

Text Box: 94%-100% = A 90%-93% = A- 87%-89% = B+ 84%-86% = B 80%-83% = B- 77%-79% = C+ 74%-76% = C 70%-73% = C - 67%-69% = D+ 64%-66% = D 60%-63% = D- 59% or less = F Grading Scale
Your Final grade will be assigned using the Plus/Minus grading system.  Your grade will be based on the percent of total points that you earn.

 In groups of two or three you will present the chapters (schedule TBA). Chapters are long and sometimes technical, so don’t try to be too detailed. Use multimedia, where possible, to present chapters. Use PowerPoint with links or Prezi.