JOUR 175 Media Literacy Class Times Monday Thursday 9 00 a m 12 00 p m INSTRUCTOR Prof Susan Moeller Office 2nd floor Knight Hall Phone 301 405 2419 smoeller jmail umd edu COURSE DESCRIPTION An analysis of the information values and underlying messages conveyed via the news media including television newspapers the Internet magazines radio and film etc Examines the accuracy of those messages and explores how news and other media such as advertising and games shape views of politics culture and society Required reading is online Check this class website as new readings are added often COURSE REQUIREMENTS In class assignments and blog posts 40 of grade Without Media project 10 of grade Holocaust paper 20 of grade Final 25 of grade In class participation daily quizzes Newseum field trip 5 of grade NB Attendance and participation will affect students final grades if a student s grade is hovering between two grades say an A and a B regular attendance and informed participation will prompt us to give the student the higher grade Unexcused missed deadlines in or out of class will result in a grade of zero you MUST notify me BEFORE the assignment is due to ask for an extension Obviously organization completeness accuracy and adherence to deadline as well as correct spelling grammar and facts will all weigh into the grading of assignments Remember whether you use primary or secondary source material including internet web sites classroom lectures or material from other students that the difference between plagiarism and valid research is a citation or attribution The University of Maryland College Park has a nationally recognized Code of Academic Integrity administered by the Student Honor Council This Code sets standards for academic integrity at Maryland for all undergraduate and graduate students As a student you are responsible for upholding these standards for this course It is very important for you to be aware of the consequences of cheating fabrication facilitation and plagiarism For more information on the Code of Academic Integrity or the Student Honor Council please visit http www studenthonorcouncil umd edu code html SYLLABUS BE AWARE THAT THE ORDER AND EVEN THE TOPICS OF EACH DAY S LECTURES MIGHT CHANGE as this is a course that is uniquely responsive to news events and to media issues 1 Tuesday June 1 What is Media Literacy What is news Reading for next day Blog Post Principles for a New Media Literacy 2008 by Dan Gillmor http cyber law harvard edu sites cyber law harvard edu files Principles 20for 20a 20New 20 Media 20Literacy MR pdf Daily Reading for next day News Quiz Long term Assignment 24 hours without media due Monday June 7 Long term Assignment Holocaust Museum paper due Thursday June 10 2 Wednesday June 2 The History of News Reading for next day Blog Post The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction 1936 by Walter Benjamin http www mariabuszek com kcai PoMoSeminar Readings BenjRepro pdf and you might be interested in reading this brief background that also has links to other related articles on Benjamin http www artintheage com about Daily Reading for next day News Quiz 3 Thursday June 3 Images Reading for next day Blog Post Looking at War Photography s view of devastation and death The New Yorker 2002 by Susan Sontag http www newyorker com archive 2002 12 09 021209crat atlarge currentPage all Daily Reading for next day News Quiz 4 Monday June 7 Entertainment News Blog post due on 24 hours without media experiment Reading for next day Blog Post Bard 5 0 The Evolution of Storytelling 18 minute video 2010 by Sean Stewart http www tedxedmonton com 2010 04 sean stewart bard 5 0 theevolution of storytelling Daily Reading for next day News Quiz 5 Tuesday June 8 Social Media Reading for next day Blog Post 24 Hours Unplugged 2010 by Susan Moeller et al http withoutmedia wordpress com read entire website Daily Reading for next day News Quiz 6 Wednesday June 9 Politics Reading for next day Blog Post Two interviews with Shanto Iyengar by Frameworks http www frameworksinstitute org assets files iyengarinterview2009 pdf and the Washington Post http www washingtonpost com wpdyn content discussion 2006 11 28 DI2006112800924 html Daily Reading for next day News Quiz 7 Thursday June 10 Social Justice Holocaust Paper due Daily Reading for next day News Quiz 8 Monday June 14 Race Gender Diversity Global Citizenship Global Responsibility Reading for next day Blog Post Website on the to be built National Museum of African American History and Culture http www nmaahc si edu section about us Daily Reading for next day News Quiz 9 Tuesday June 15 Freedom of Expression Democracy Reading for next day Blog Post Impunity Index by Committee to Protect Journalists http cpj org reports 2010 04 cpj 2010 impunity index getting away with murder php Daily Reading for next day News Quiz 10 Wednesday June 16 Newseum field trip NB there will be a question related to the trip on the final exam 11 Thursday June 17 FINAL EXAM