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Course Description
Special topics in mass communication. May be repeated for credit. Cr. 3.

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Course Objectives
At the conclusion of the course, students will be able:

1. To articulate the processes of media innovation and diffusion;
2. To identify similarities and differences in the innovation and diffusion of various media in their historical contxts;
3. To describe the ways in which "old" media have adapted to "new" media in economic, social and political terms; and
4. To speculate intelligently on future media adaptations.

Readings

• Media and the American Mind by Daniel Czitrom
• Media Technology and Society: A History: From the Telegraph to the Internet by Brian Winston
• When Old Technologies Were New: Thinking About Technology in the Late Nineteenth Centuryby Carolyn Marvin (Graduate Students Only)
• Readings as listed in syllabus on RESERVE EXPRESS, available through the home page for Helmke Library.
• Media Industry Terms

Assignments
All assignments must be completed in order to achieve a passing grade in this course.

1. Group Project: Each work team will complete a description and analysis of an "old media" adaptation to the new digital environment. The object of analysis may be a local media company (radio and television stations in particular) or a "distant" media company as approved by the instructor.

   Click here for presentation schedule

2. Graduate Student Presentation: Graduate students, working as a group, will prepare a class presentation on the book When Old Technologies Were New by Carolyn Marvin for October 12.
3. Final Examination: Each student will complete a take-home Final Examination (to be distributed before Thanksgiving Break).
4. Essay: Each student will complete an 8-10 page essay on one of the following topics:
   • Print in the 21st Century
   • Film and Video in the Digital Age
   • The Future of Local Broadcasting
   • Digitization and the Music Industry
   The essay will demonstrate the student's understanding the basic premises of the course. Appropriate references to academic and popular sources are expected. APA or MLA format.
   Warning: Do Not Hand In Your First Draft: Your essay will be evaluated on both your argument (including your support/evidence) AND your grammar and style.
5. Class Participation: Do the reading, be in class, and talk!

Grading
Course assignments and examinations will be weighted as follows:

Campus Services
1. If you have or aquire a disability and would like to find out what special services may be available to you, contact Services for Students with Disabilities in WU 118 & 218 (481-6657, voice/TTY).
2. The IPFW Writing Center: You can improve your writing by getting one-on-one feedback from experience writers in Kettler G35, the Writing Center -- an excellent resource for all writers. Their motto is "Every Writer Needs a Reader." Bring your written assignment, due dates, questions, ideas, and draft (if you have one). The consultants will help you with brainstorming, developing, and organizing ideas, working on issues of meaning and style, and polishing and editing final drafts. Because it takes time to learn how to present your ideas clearly in writing (the Center is not a "fix-it" shop), you will benefit most by coming to the Writing Center regularly. Sign up for appointments ahead of time.

URL:http://www.ipfw.indiana.edu/comm/courses/ Fall00/com531f00.htm
Revised: 23 August 2000