Online · School of Communication & the Arts · Strategic & Personal Communication

Media Technologies & Communication Strategies

COMS-532

CG Section 8WK 02/18/2020 to 01/01/2021 Modified 12/12/2022  Contact Information

See detailed faculty information in Blackboard.  Course Description

This course examines established and emerging media technologies used by various organizations in communicating specific messages to diverse audiences.

Requisites

None

 Rationale

The purpose of media technologies is to review new media and new applications of traditional media. Communication technology is the nervous system of contemporary society, transmitting and distributing sensory and control information and interconnecting a myriad of interdependent units. Because these technologies are vital to commerce, control, and maintaining interpersonal relationships, any change in communication technologies has the potential for profound impacts on virtually every area of society.

 Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

A. Identify the current state of the major media technologies.

B. Analyze current issues in new media use, particularly those relating to the First Amendment. C. Appraise the current academic literature of the field.

D. Synthesize a Christian perspective on media technologies.

E. Articulate findings in both written and oral forms.

 Course Resources

Required Resource

Baran, Stanley J. (2020). Introduction to mass communication: Media literacy and culture (10th ed.). New York: NY: McGraw-Hill. (This required resource has been provided in this course as an e-book). However, if the student prefers a physical copy of the book, he or she may purchase it through the Liberty University Online bookstore (https://bookstore.mbsdirect.net/vbm/vb_home.php? FVCUSNO=1589&url=liberty.htm), MBS Direct. The purchase of the physical copy of the textbook is optional.

Disclaimer: The above resource provides information consistent with the latest research regarding the subject area. Liberty University does not necessarily endorse specific personal, religious, philosophical, or political positions found in this resource.

Recommended Resource

American Psychological Association. Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (Current ed.). Washington, DC:

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Author.

Materials for Learning

1. Computer with basic audio/video output equipment

2. Internet access (broadband recommended)

3. Blackboard recommended browsers (https://help.blackboard.com/Learn/Student/Getting_Started/Browser_Support) 4. Microsoft Office

5. Adobe Acrobat Reader (available for download within course)

6. Media player software

7. Digital video recorder or similar device for contribution to video discussion board(s)

 Course Assignments

Textbook readings and lecture presentations Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations (https://www.liberty.edu/institutional-effectiveness/student- expectations/), the student will complete the related checklist found in Module/Week 1.

Welcome Discussion Board

In this graded assignment, students will introduce themselves to others in the course by posting a video through Kaltura and replying to at least two other classmates.

LearnSmart Exercises (15)

“McGraw-Hill LearnSmart® is the premier adaptive learning product designed to assess a student’s knowledge of course content through a series of adaptive questions, intelligently pinpointing concepts the student does not understand and mapping out a personalized study plan for success” (McGraw-Hill, 2019). Students will engage with the LearnSmart exercises for each chapter of the text.

Quizzes (8)

Students will take weekly quizzes based on the assigned reading and lecture material. All quizzes will be offered through the McGraw-Hill Connect platform.

Christian Application Paper Abstract & Refereces

Prior to writing the Christian Application Paper, the student will submit an APA formatted abstract and reference list that briefly summarizes the paper’s intended content. The abstract needs to be accurate, concise, and consistent with current APA format. Abstracts must be between 150-250 words per APA guidelines.

Discussion Board Forums (3)

Discussion boards are a collaborate learning experience. Therefore, the student will be required to post an initial written document discussing the assigned subject, and then respond to a minimum of two classmates by the end of the module/week for each forum.

Christian Application Paper

The student will write a 3–5-page research paper on an electronic communication technology of their choosing. This technology may be new (e.g., the Internet) or a newer application of older technology (e.g., podcasts, streaming, etc.). Current APA format is required.

Annotated Bibliography Sample

Prior to submitting the full annotated bibliography, the student will submit a brief sample of 5 unique scholarly references written in current APA format.

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Annotated Bibliography

The student will create an annotated bibliography for one (1) new media technology with 15 fully annotated scholarly references. Each source must be summarized in one paragraph and applied to the paper’s topic in a second paragraph. Current APA format is required.

 Course Grading

Assignment

Course Requirements Checklist

Welcome Discussion Board Video

LearnSmart Exercises (15 at 20 points)

Quizzes (8 at 25 points)

Christian Application Abstract & References

Discussion Board Forums (3 at 50 points)

Christian Application Paper

Annotated Bibliography Sample

Annotated Bibliography

 Policies

Points

                     Total

10

25

300

200

50

150

100

50

125

1,010

Late Assignment Policy

Course Assignments, including discussions, exams, and other graded assignments, should be submitted on time.

If the student is unable to complete an assignment on time, then he or she must contact the instructor immediately by email. Assignments that are submitted after the due date without prior approval from the instructor will receive the following deductions:

1. Late assignments submitted within one week after the due date will receive up to a 10% deduction.

2. Assignments submitted more than one week and less than 2 weeks late will receive up to a 20% deduction.

3. Assignments submitted two weeks late or after the final date of the course will not be accepted outside of special

circumstances (e.g. death in the family, significant personal health issues), which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by

the instructor.

4. Group projects, including group discussion threads and/or replies, and assignments will not be accepted after the due date

outside of special circumstances (e.g. death in the family, significant personal health issues), which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the instructor.

Disability Assistance

Students with a disability and those with medical conditions associated with pregnancy may contact Liberty University’s Online Office of Disability Accommodation Support (ODAS) at LUOODAS@liberty.edu for accommodations. Such accommodations require appropriate documentation of your condition. For more information about ODAS and the accommodations process, including how to request an accommodation, please visit https://www.liberty.edu/online/online-disability-accommodation- support/ (https://www.liberty.edu/online/online-disability-accommodation-support/). Requests for accommodations not related to disabilities or pregnancy must be directed to the Registrar’s Office, which generally handles medical needs support.

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If you have a complaint related to disability discrimination or an accommodation that was not provided, you may contact ODAS or the Office of Equity and Compliance by phone at (434) 592-4999 or by email at equityandcompliance@liberty.edu. Click to see a full copy of Liberty’s Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Policy (https://wiki.os.liberty.edu/display/IE/Liberty+University+Discrimination,+Harassment,+and+Sexual+Misconduct+Policy) or

the Student Disability Grievance Policy and Procedures (https://www.liberty.edu/disability-support/wp- content/uploads/sites/106/2022/01/Disability-Grievance-Procedures.pdf).

Course Attendance

In an effort to comply with U.S. Department of Education policies, attendance is measured by physical class attendance or any submission of a required assignment within the enrollment dates of the course (such as examinations, written papers or projects, any discussion posts, etc.) or initiating any communication with one’s professor regarding an academic subject. More information regarding the attendance policy (https://wiki.os.liberty.edu/display/IE/Online+Attendance+and+Non-Attendance) can be found in the Academic Course Catalogs (https://www.liberty.edu/academics/course-catalogs/). Regular attendance in online courses is expected throughout the length of the term. Students who do not attend within the first week of a sub-term by submitting a required academic assignment (such as the Course Requirements Checklist, an examination, written paper or project, discussion post, or other academic activity) will be dropped from the course. Students who wish to re-engage in the course are encouraged to contact Academic Advising to discuss their enrollment options. Students who begin an online course, but at some point in the semester cease attending, and do not provide official notification to withdraw, will be assigned a grade of “FN” (Failure for Non- Attendance (https://wiki.os.liberty.edu/display/IE/Unofficial+Withdrawals)). Students wishing to withdraw from courses after the official start date should familiarize themselves with the withdrawal policy.

          Grading Scale

        A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D+ D D-

940- 1010

920- 939

900- 919

860- 899

840- 859

820- 839

780- 819

760- 779

740- 759

700- 739

680- 699

F

679 and below

For courses with a Pass/NP final grade, please refer to the Course Grading section of this syllabus for the assignment requirements and/or point value required to earn a Passing final grade.

Add/Drop Policy

The full policy statement and procedures are published in the Policy Directory

(https://wiki.os.liberty.edu/display/IE/Dropping+and+Adding+Online+Classes). Honor Code

Liberty University comprises a network of students, Alumni, faculty, staff and supporters that together form a Christian community based upon the truth of the Bible. This truth defines our foundational principles, from our Doctrinal Statement to the Code of Honor. These principles irrevocably align Liberty University’s operational procedures with the long tradition of university culture, which remains distinctively Christian, designed to preserve and advance truth. Our desire is to create a safe, comfortable environment within our community of learning, and we extend our academic and spiritual resources to all of our students with the goal of fostering academic maturity, spiritual growth and character development.

Communities are predicated on shared values and goals. The Code of Honor, an expression of the values from which our Doctrinal Statement was born, defines the fundamental principles by which our community exists. At the core of this code lie two essential concepts: a belief in the significance of all individuals, and a reliance on the existence of objective truth.

While we acknowledge that some may disagree with various elements of the Code of Honor, we maintain the expectation that our students will commit to respect and uphold the Code while enrolled at Liberty University.

Adherence to the principles and concepts established within facilitates the success of our students and strengthens the Liberty community.

The Code of Honor can be viewed in its entirety at https://www.liberty.edu/students/honor-code/ (https://www.liberty.edu/students/honor-code/).

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 Schedule

  Module/ Reading & Study Assignments Points Week

 1

Baran: chs. 1–2 2 presentations

Course Requirements Checklist Welcome Discussion Board LearnSmart Exercises Quiz 1

10 25 40 25

2

Baran: chs. 3–4 2 presentations

Christian App. Abstract & References LearnSmart Exercises Quiz 2

50 40 25

3

Baran: chs. 5–6 2 presentations

DB Forum 1 LearnSmart Exercises Quiz 3

50 40 25

4

Baran: chs. 7–8 2 presentations

Christian Application Paper LearnSmart Exercises Quiz 4

100 40 25

5

Baran: chs. 9–10 2 presentations

Annotated Bibliography Sample LearnSmart Exercises Quiz 5

50 40 25

6

Baran: chs. 11–12 2 presentations

DB Forum 2 LearnSmart Exercises Quiz 6

50 40 25

7

Baran: chs. 13–14 2 presentations

Annotated Bibliography LearnSmart Exercises Quiz 7

125 40 25

8

Baran: ch. 15

2 presentations

DB Forum 3 LearnSmart Exercise Quiz 8

50 20 25

Total 1,010

DB = Discussion Board

NOTE: Each course week begins on Monday morning at 12:00 a.m. (ET) and ends on Sunday night at 11:59 p.m. (ET). The final week

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ends at 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Friday.

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