Television Production

Course Details

Course Number: MCOM 3613 Section Number: 001

Spring 2013

Location: Fain Hall

Classroom Number: C117A

Days & Times:

12:30-1:50 T R

Course Attachments

Textbooks

MSU Faculty Member

James A. Gorham
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Course Objectives

Course Identification: This course is designed to give students a more realistic portrayal of television production. Writing, editing, shooting, directing, and editing will be emphasized.

Office Hours:

Monday 8:30-Noon

Tuesday 8:30-9:30

Wednesday 8:30-Noon

Thursday 8:30-9:30

Friday 8:30-Noon

Course Management: This course will consist of three production exercises, an exam, and various daily assignments. Students are expected to be on time and attend class. After the third absence, the professor may drop the student from the course. Your peers are counting on you to be in class and to participate. A peer evaluation will be distributed after each group assignment. Finally, it is important that you treat the video cameras and all equipment with care. In short, if you break it, you buy it.

Course Expectations

Plagiarism: Plagiarism comes from the Latin word plagiarius, which means kidnapper. Webster’s Dictionary defines plagiarize as to take (ideas, writings, etc.,) from (another) and pass them off as one’s own-plagiarizer. Plagiarism includes the deliberate as well as inadvertent failure to properly attribute. Every video exercise or production you do in this class should be the work of either you or your fellow group members. Anytime anyone outside the group shoots, edits, writes, or contributes to your creative endeavor it will be considered plagiarism. Violation of this policy will result in the student and/or group receiving a failing grade for this course. IGNORANCE IS NO EXCUSE…IF IN DOUBT-ASK! Students in this course should adhere to the MSU Student Honor Code.

Senior Portfolio Requirement

Please note that all mass communication majors are required to submit a senior portfolio before registering for the mass communication capstone course, Senior Production (October 1 for spring semester registration and March 1 for fall semester registration). This requirement is a part of MSU’s reaccreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and is non-negotiable. Students are required to demonstrate communication competence through the written word, the spoken word and visual communication; two examples of each competency are required. Students will not be admitted to Senior Production until the department chair certifies that they have satisfied the portfolio requirement.

As you go through this and other classes, you are responsible for saving course work that could be included in your senior portfolio.

Please see me, your adviser, the department chair or any mass communication faculty member for handouts with more information ("Mass Communication Senior Portfolio Competencies" and "Mass Communication Senior Portfolio FAQ").

More information is also available at:

http://finearts.mwsu.edu/masscomm/pdf/senior-portfolio-rev.pdf

http://finearts.mwsu.edu/masscomm/pdf/senior-portfolio-faq.pdf

Privacy: Federal privacy law prohibits me from releasing information about students to certain parties outside of the university…thus; in almost all cases I will not discuss your academic progress, academic matters, or grades with anyone including your parents. Do not have them call me! You are college students and adults and therefore will be treated as such. Finally, I will only correspond with you via email if your full name is in the email address.

Final Caveat: The professor reserves the right to change any part of this syllabus for any reason. Sufficient notice will be given if changes are deemed necessary.

Grading Standards

Grade Breakdown:

Final Production 25%

PSA/Promo 20%

Commercial 15%

Exam 15%

Assignments/ Quizzes/Participation 25%

*These are approximates and subject to some variance.

Submission Format PolicyNote: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Plagiarism Policy Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception. Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters. We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student. We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed. Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

Students with Disabilities The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, 397-4140.

Safe Zones Statement The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

Contacting your Instructor All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MWSU e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Other Policies

Final Caveat: The professor reserves the right to change any part of this syllabus for any reason. Sufficient notice will be given if changes are deemed necessary.

Writing Proficiency Requirement All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed English 1113 and English 1123 and 2) earned 60 hours. You may meet this requirement by passing either the Writing Proficiency Exam or English 2113. Please keep in mind that, once you've earned over 90 hours, you lose the opportunity to take the $25 exam and have no option but to enroll in the three-credit hour course. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at http://academics.mwsu.edu/wpr, or call 397-4131.