Syllabus Spring 2012
About this course
This course surveys the history of the mass media -- the people, the institutions and the ideas that animated our past and influence our future. Major themes in media history include changing technologies, changing social roles and the changing structure and business of the mass media.
One goal of the class will be for you to learn a little about historical research in media. You'll read original articles, speeches and texts by famous authors. You'll search for information about events in the past and compare articles written for audiences of an earlier age.
Another goal is to learn about history itself. History is civilization's memory, and as Santayana famously said, those who can't remember the past are doomed to repeat it. History is an aid to the interpretation of the future and the dressing room of politics. Some historians have hoped simply to show how things really were, but today, historians understand that our views of the past are socially constructed. "We look at the present through a rear-view mirror," as Marshall McLuhan said. "We march backwards into the future."
Resources:
- Note: the Desire to Learn (D2L) system that is replacing WebCT at RU. D2L has everything in one place that we used to have scattered around. It has pdfs of the first chapters of the book (free to students), online discussions, quizzes and links to other sites. Login using your regular RU login and password to learn.radford.edu
Contact: Prof. BIll Kovarik, Ph.D. email wkovarik @ radford.edu / Ph: 831-6033
There are 13 quizzes, two tests, about a dozen discussions, and one research project required in the course.
Textbook
- Revolutions in Communication by Bill Kovarik. Cost $35 or less.
Class times, codes and locations
- This is an online class. There are no attendance requirements.
- Im happy to answer questions through email -- bill.kovarik at gmail.com or wkovarik at radford.edu
Instructor and Office Hours
Prof. BIll Kovarik, Ph.D. e ph: 831-6033
Office Hours: By appointment in summer
Grades will be based on:
- Discussions and online assignments 20%
- Quizzes 20%
- Mid Term 20%
- Final exam 20%
- Final paper 20%
Policies
- Attendance policy: There is no attendance required, However, I will hold at least three optional meetings at different times in the semester to talk about the book, the assignments and especially the final research paper.
- Deadlines: Deadlines for assignments are variable. However, your access to the site shuts down in December, so basically there are3 months to get everything done.
- Late policy: Deadlines as posted need to be observed. For instance, you should be done with the first four quizzes and assignments by mid-June, and by early July you should be halfway done. This can vary to suit students. Most people take some time off in the first week of July, so the next deadline would be the third week of July for the third section. Please see the calendar for details.
- Disabilities policy: We are glad to work with all students to accomodate disabilities on a non-discriminatory basis. Students with special needs may be required to clear accomodations through the disabilities resource office of the university.
- Honor Code: By accepting admission to Radford University, each students makes a commitment to understand, support and abide by the University Honor Code without compromise or exception.
- Plagiarism -- Students who directly copy work from anyone else will flunk the class and be reported to the Dean of Students office.
