Online Orientation - Mass Communication

COMM 1510-40 Mass Communication and the Individual

This lecture course emphasizes consumer awareness of mass communications on all levels. Students may opt to receive credit in either Journalism 1510 or Communications 1510, but not both.

Advisory: Eligibility for English 1000 and Reading 1005 strongly recommended

Course Details

Instructor: Gary Graupman

E-mail: ggraupman@taftcollege.edu
Telephone: Office: (661) 763-7726 Message: (661) 834-1839
Office Hours: Mon 2-5; Tues & Thurs, 11-12
Office Location: G4B
Available Student Contact Hours: Tues - Thurs, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Units: 3

Class Meets: August 24 - December 17, 2009
The class will be available for access on August 24, 2009.

Textbook & Estimated Costs:

Rental Textbook: Media/Impact: An Introduction to Mass Media. (8th edition) Shirley Biagi (Wadsworth, Inc., 2007), available from the Taft College Bookstore for approximately $25.00. The text can be found online for purchase.

Estimated Time Per Week: Students can expect to spend approximately 6 to 8 hours per week reading, writing, participating in online discussions, and taking exams.

Special Requirements: The entire course will be conducted online through the ETUDES program. Students are required to have Internet access, an email address, the ability to use word processing, conduct Internet searches, attach files, send emails, and other basic computer skills. Students are expected to work independently, log into the class on a regular basis, read instructions carefully, follow written instructions, and not procrastinate. Follow the log in instructions below, and contact me or the distance learning help desk by the first day of class if you have problems logging in.

Assignments & Tests: Students will complete two quizzes, a midterm, a final, and a 5 page research paper. They will also be expected to participate in weekly discussions based on the readings and chapter assignments.

Proctored Exams: No

Additional Comments: Because this is a distance learning course, physical attendance is not an issue; however, turning assignments in on time is. If you do not meet the first assignment deadline, which is at the end of the first week of class, I will assume you do not wish to stay in the class and drop you unless you contact me. After that, it is your responsibility to drop the course. Drops will not be backdated. Please contact the counseling center or the distance learning help desk if you have changed your mind and want to drop the class. I look forward to working with you.

New to ETUDES: Be sure to check System Requirements before getting started with ETUDES. You need to do this on each computer you use while taking a class through ETUDES.

ETUDES Course: You will log into the Etudes classroom with log-in information provided below:

New Users use the following login instructions:

Login ID

Password

First 2 letters of first name +
First 2 letters of last name +
Last 5 digits of your Student ID

(Type using all lower case letters)

Example:

Jose A. Garcia
ID: A000123456

Username = joga23456

MonthDay of birth in school records

(Type using all lower case letters)

Example:

Birthday is April 11th, 1982 (04/11/82)

Password = 0411

Previous Users use the following login instructions:

Login ID

Password

First 2 letters of first name +
First 2 letters of last name +
Last 5 digits of Student ID

(Type using all lower case letters)

Example:

Jose A. Garcia
ID: A000123456

Username = joga23456

Enter the password YOU set in a previous term

If you cannot remember your password, go to the ETUDES login screen and reset the password. Be sure to use the email address you used in on your application.

Disclaimer: The book prices are an approximation only and are subject to change.