Syllabus Home Page
This course consists of lectures, demonstrations, discussions and student presentations. There will be limited lab time available during class. Students must have access to computers with word-processing and Web browsing software outside of class time to complete assignments.
This course is primarily a writing course. Therefore, the prerequisites are for advanced writing courses. All students in this class are expected to have had experience in writing long nonfiction pieces. Undergraduate students should have had either MCOM 356 or MCOM 381; graduate students should have had MCOM 601.
Students are expected to be familiar with Associated Press style. Grades on assignments will be adjusted downward for style errors as well as errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation and other mechanics.This is NOT a course in HTML or multimedia production. You will be taught a few basics of HTML and multimedia production.
At the end of the semester, you should be able to:
- Conduct sustained research and reporting on a topic in an interactive environment.
- Structure content to attract and sustain an interactive audience.
- Apply ethical and legal standards to content.
- Identify and use the elements of effective multimedia storytelling.
- Select the most appropriate media for a given purpose.
- Develop and maintain a professional online presence using current and emerging technologies.
During lectures, presentations and group work, students should be focusing on the material being presented and not checking e-mail or IMs or text messaging. If I catch you doing any of these, you will lose 5 points from your overall class total of 100 possible points the first time, 10 points the second time, and 20 points the third time.
Turn off your cell phone at the start of class. The first time your phone rings in class, you will lose 5 points from your overall class total of 100 possible points, the second time you will lose 10 points, and the third time you will lose 20 points.
Attendance is mandatory. In the event of absence from class, you assume full responsibility for the material covered in class. Please consult with a classmate to see what you have missed. One absence will be allowed; subsequent absences will each result in a deduction of two points from your semester grade. If you have a valid excuse with a note (doctor's note, religious holiday, etc.) the absence will be excused up to my discretion.
In addition, late assignments will not be accepted. All assignments are due on the dates given in the schedule -- NO EXCUSES!
Disability Statement
This course is in compliance with Towson University policies for students with disabilities. Students with disabilities are encouraged to register with Disability Support Services (DSS), 7720 York Road Suite 232, 410.704.2638 (Voice or TDD). Students who susect they have a disability but do not have documentation are encouraged to contact DSS for advice on how to obtain appropriate evaluation. A memo from DSS authorizing your accommodation is needed before any accommodation can be made.