Syllabus for COM-265
COMMUNICATION IN THE DIGITAL AGE
This course offers an undergraduate-level study of digital media with emphasis on the uses of textual and visual media in digital spaces, such as websites, blogs, podcasts, and wikis. The course examines how digital media is extending the capabilities of traditional media and also how digital media is altering the societal landscape. It also investigates how digital technologies are changing the economic realities associated with media. This course provides opportunities for students who are interested in digital publication and those interested in theories of digital composition and rhetoric.
After completing this course, you should be able to:
CO1 Assess how digital technologies are changing traditional media industries’ economics, production, and distribution.
CO2 Critically evaluate digital media production.
CO3 Identify digital media’s possible economic, cultural, and political impacts.
CO4 Critique the roles digital media play on individual and societal levels in American culture.
CO5 Analyze digital media products from a media literacy perspective.
CO6 Evaluate how digital media are regulated.
CO7 Assess the role digital technology plays in the evolution of social media.
You will need the following materials to complete your coursework. Some course materials may be free, open source, or available from other providers. You can access free or open-source materials by clicking the links provided below or in the module details documents. To purchase course materials, please visit the University's textbook supplier.
ISBN-13: 978-1138928466
Communication in the Digital Age is a three-credit, online course, consisting of six modules, a midterm exam, and a final project. Modules include an overview, topics, learning objectives, study materials, and activities. Module titles are listed below.
For your formal work in the course, you are required to participate in online discussion forums including a video online discussion, complete blog entries, a wiki activity, a podcast activity, take a proctored midterm examination, and complete a final project. See below for details.
Consult the Course Calendar for due dates.
One or more of your course activities may utilize a tool designed to promote original work and evaluate your submissions for plagiarism. More information about this tool is available in this document.
You are required to participate in three discussion forums. Communication with your mentor and among fellow students is a critical component of online learning. Participation in online class discussions involves two distinct activities: an initial response to a discussion question and at least two subsequent comments on classmates' responses.
All of these responses must be substantial. Meaningful participation is relevant to the content, adds value, and advances the discussion. Comments such as "I agree" and "ditto" are not considered value-adding participation. Therefore, when you agree or disagree with a classmate or your mentor, state and support your position.
You will be evaluated on the quality and quantity of your participation, including your use of relevant course information to support your point of view, and your awareness of and responses to the postings of your classmates. Remember, these are discussions: responses and comments should be properly proofread and edited, mature, and respectful.
You are required to participate in one video discussion forum. In the Video Discussion Forum, you will upload your video response to the discussion question. Then, you will view, listen, and reply via comments to at least two classmates’ videos by the date indicated in the Course Calendar. Please reference Module 3 of the course website for full details and requirements.
You are required to create one podcast, using the instructions provided in Module 5. Podcasts are a product of digital media, a reinvention of traditional media. As they proliferate and grow in popularity, it is important to be able to utilize this form of media. You will learn to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the format, and communicate through this form of digital media.
Please reference Module 5 of the course website for full details and requirements. Consult the Course Calendar for due dates.
You are required to complete one wiki activity. A wiki enables you to collaborate with other classmates by adding content to shared pages and respond to others using the comments feature at the bottom of each page. In essence, a wiki allows you to discuss, share, critique, and collaborate among group members. This is the online space for you to demonstrate your team work together. Everyone is required to add to the wiki and should feel free to amend others’ work, if necessary.
Consult the Course Calendar for due dates.
You are required to complete six blog entries. Blogging is a fundamental digital media practice and a significant means by which people communicate about particular issues, establish credibility, and construct online identities. These blog entries provide you the opportunity to practice and refine your blogging skills and offer another platform to engage in the discussion of course topics. Everyone is encouraged to read their classmates’ blog entries and comment on them.
Note: The blog in this course is a collection of individual blog entries. As such, you will receive one grade for all required blog entries at the end of the course. Consult the Course Calendar for due dates.
For a list of key concepts that may appear on your exam, refer to the study guide available in the Examinations section of the course website.
The midterm exam is two hours long and consists of multiple-choice and essay questions and will cover material from Modules 1, 2, and 3. For the midterm, you are required to use the University's Online Proctor Service (OPS). Please refer to the Examinations and Proctors section of the Online Student Handbook (see General Information area of the course website) for further information about scheduling and taking online exams and for all exam policies and procedures. You are strongly advised to schedule your exam within the first week of the semester.
You are on your honor not to cheat during the exam. Cheating means:
If there is evidence that you have cheated or plagiarized in your exam, the exam will be declared invalid, and you will fail the course.
You are required to complete a final project. The goal of this project is to thoroughly research a topic within digital communication and present findings using relevant technology. This is a two-step project that consists of a detailed research paper exploring a topic related to this class, and a video presentation (webcam video with PowerPoint) to communicate your findings.
Please reference the Final Project area of the course website for full details and requirements. Consult the Course Calendar for due dates.
Your grade in the course will be determined as follows:
All activities will receive a numerical grade of 0–100. You will receive a score of 0 for any work not submitted. Your final grade in the course will be a letter grade. Letter grade equivalents for numerical grades are as follows:
A | = | 93–100 | C+ | = | 78–79 | |
A– | = | 90–92 | C | = | 73–77 | |
B+ | = | 88–89 | C– | = | 70–72 | |
B | = | 83–87 | D | = | 60–69 | |
B– | = | 80–82 | F | = | Below 60 |
To receive credit for the course, you must earn a letter grade of C or better (for an area of study course) or D or better (for a course not in your area of study), based on the weighted average of all assigned course work (e.g., exams, assignments, discussion postings).
To succeed in this course, take the following first steps:
Consider the following study tips for success:
To ensure success in all your academic endeavors and coursework at Thomas Edison State University, familiarize yourself with all administrative and academic policies including those related to academic integrity, course late submissions, course extensions, and grading policies.
For more, see:
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