Folkerts, Jean & Lacy, Stephen (2004). The Media In Your Life: An Introduction to Mass Communication (Third Edition), Boston: Allyn and Bacon.

Recommended (in my office): Webber, Robert E. (1980). God Still Speaks: A Biblical View of Christian Communication, Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

1. To prepare students to think critically about the mass media;

2. to equip students with a general understanding of the complex dynamics of media institutions, economics, regulation, culture and ethics;

3. to help students evaluate media effects research and apply media research methodologies;

4. to develop students' understanding of the role of media history in shaping the current (and future) media landscape.

Participation is important and is part of your grade. Students are expected to have read the required chapters for each class session and be prepared to discuss its contents. A lack of preparation not only hurts your grade it also takes away from the quality of the in-class discussion and makes the learning experience less enjoyable for your classmates. Attendance is also a part of your participation grade. Excessive absences and/or tardiness will be reflected in that generally, three or more unexcused absences will result in a minimum one grade lower participation grade.

Projects are due at the beginning of the class period noted in the course outline. Late projects or missed exams will not be accepted without a legitimate excuse such as medical illness or emergency. If you have a situation that may present difficulties in turning a project in on time or making an exam date the proper procedure is to discuss this with me before the due date. I'm flexible and understanding when students talk with me before an assignment or exam is due. I'm much less flexible if a student tries to explain their situation after the due date has passed. In short, if you think you're going to have a problem turning in an assignment on time, talk with me before the due date. The same also applies to attendance. Excused absences are at my discretion. I am far more likely to grant them when students let me know ahead of time (when possible) or contact me as soon as possible after the missed class.

Student work will be evaluated according to the guidelines laid out in the 2004-2005 Bethel College catalog (see p. 24). To receive an "A," work should be "exceptional". "B" work is considered "good," and "C" "work "satisfactory" and so on. Handouts will be provided with the criteria for the group project, media history paper and TV Analysis assignment. If you have any questions about these assignments, ask!

Students seeking disability-related accommodations, or students seeking to appeal a grade, should review policy information at http://bethelnet.bethel.edu/collegefaculty/Policies/index.htm

The Bethel policy on academic honesty applies in this course. (see pp. 27-28 in the 2004-2005 Bethel College catalog)

Points will be awarded for the course as follows:

Final grades will be based on the cumulative number of points earned on the assignments noted above. Accumulated points will be divided by the total points available (250) to arrive at a percentage for the course. Grades will be assigned based on the following scale:

Links to course handouts: