Course Detail

JOUR 101 Media, News, and Audience

JOUR 101 IS Sec 1, University of Mississippi
[See UM Catalog for Description]

3 credit hours

Instructor Information:

Instructor name:
Dr. Kathleen Wickham, professor of journalism

Instructor Information:
I worked as a newspaper reporter for 10 years in New Jersey before moving to Memphis 37 years ago. I covered city and county government, casino gambling and organized crime while working for the statewide paper, the Newark Star-Ledger. I also wrote investigative stories, features and analysis stories on a regular basis.
This is my 20th year at Ole Miss. I previously taught at The University of Memphis, where I earned my master's and doctoral degrees. I have also had fellowships with Gannett News Service in Washington, D.C., at The Poynter Institute for Media Studies, at the Freedom Forum, at the Donald W. Reynolds National Center for Business Journalism at Arizona State University and at Washington University of St. Louis.

My writing credits include four books, We Believed We Were Immortal: Twelve Reporters Who Covered the 1962 Integration Crisis at Ole Miss (2017), Perspectives: Online Journalism (1998), Math Tools for Journalists (2002), The role of the Clarion-Ledger in the adoption of the 1982 Education Reform Act (2007); and freelance writing for The New York Times, Memphis Business Journal and Memphis magazine.

Contact Information:

If you have questions concerning the content of the course, you may contact the instructor directly using the Email Your Instructor link in the Lessons or Content page. NOTE: Whenever sending email, please be sure to indicate your course title and number in the subject line. You can expect a response within 72 hours, although it may be longer on weekends. Many instructors reply within 24 hours.

For lesson or test administration issues, please

contact the iStudy department:

Course Description

An introduction to traditional mass media (newspapers, magazines, television, radio, public relations and advertising), the new media and their importance to and impact on modern society.

This course is designed to acquaint you with concepts and functions of journalism in American society, including the underlying principles of journalism. The course will highlight the value and values of journalism and will discuss current issues and problems facing journalists and the society they serve.

Textbook Information:

Textbook information will be provided upon enrollment in your iStudy course.

Course Objectives:

Objectives include (but are not limited to):

• Demonstrate an understanding of the history of media and role of today’s journalists.
• Identify new and emerging media technologies and their potential impact.
• Apply the principles and laws related to free speech and the press.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of peoples and cultures and of the significance and impact of mass communications in a global society.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the ethical issues surrounding the media today and how to cope with such issues.

The course also will introduce each of the learning objectives required by the school’s assessment plan and the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications. These objectives include: Laws & Freedom of Speech; Media History; Diversity; Use of Images; Ethics; Critical & Creative Thinking; Research & Information- Evaluation Skills; Writing Abilities; Editing Abilities; Numbers & Statistics; and Tools & Technologies.

Course Outline:

This course consists of 8 instructional modules (or lessons) and 2 proctored examinations.

You MUST take the syllabus quiz within 2 weeks of enrolling or you will be dropped from the course. NOTE: you must pass the Syllabus and Orientation Quiz for the course materials to appear on the Lessons page.

Lesson

Reading Assignments

Due for Grades

Pacing Guide
to complete the course in one semester

Start Here

*You MUST complete the syllabus quiz as soon as you have access to your Blackboard course. This is mandatory to verify your attendance.*NOTE: you must pass the Syllabus and Orientation Quiz for the course materials to appear on the Lessons page.

Syllabus Quiz

Week 1

0

Introduction

Discussion board, Quiz

Week 1

1

Chapter 1: The Mirror, the Watchdog, and the Marketplace

Chapter activity, Popup and Lesson Journal entries, Video Assignment

Weeks 2-3

2

Chapter 2: What is Journalism?

Chapter activity, Popup and Lesson Journal entries, Video Assignment

Weeks 4-5

3

Chapter 3: How is News Made?

Chapter activity, Popup and Lesson Journal entries, Video Assignment

Weeks 6-7

4

Chapter 4: Who Pays for Journalism?

Chapter activity, Popup and Lesson Journal entries

Week 8

Midterm Exam

Covers lessons 1-4

To be scheduled
and completed
before proceeding

Week 8

MIDPOINT OF COURSE

If you are a semester student, you must reach the midpoint of your course by the date specified in your information.

If you are a Flex UM student, you CANNOT WITHDRAW from this course after the exam has been submitted.

All lesson assignments or exams needed to reach the midpoint of the course

The exact date semester students are required to reach the midpoint is specified in your information.

5

Chapter 5: New Voices, New Models

Chapter activity, Popup and Lesson Journal entries

Week 9

6

Chapter 6: What do Journalists Owe Us?

Popup and Lesson Journal entries,
Video Assignment

Weeks 10-11

7

Chapter 7: The Foundations of Free Expression

Chapter activity, Popup and Lesson Journal entries, Video Assignment

Weeks 12-13

8

Chapter 8: A Declaration of Journalistic Independence

Chapter activity, Popup and Lesson Journal entries, Video Assignment

Weeks 14-15

Final Exam

Comprehensive exam from all chapters (ensure all work is completed and graded prior to scheduling this exam)

To be scheduled
and completed
before proceeding

Week 16

Grading:

GRADING SCALE:
95-100 A
90-94 A-
87-89 B+
83-86 B
80-82 B-
76-79 C+
70-75 C
60-69 D
Below 62 F

FAILURE TO TAKE THE FINAL EXAM WILL RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE COURSE.

You must submit the lessons required to take the course exam(s). Lessons required but not submitted will receive a grade of zero. For the final exam, all coursework must be submitted and graded.