Last syllabus update: 9/30

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San José State U

Communication Studies

Comm 161F, Communication and Culture, Section 1, Fall, 2009            

Instructor:    Ted M. Coopman

Office location:    HGH 216

Telephone:    408-924-5865

Email: communication161@gmail.com

Office hours:    online

Class days/time:    online

Classroom:    online

Prerequisites: Comm 101

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Catalog Description 

Human communication explored as a mechanism of control and as a vehicle of cultural change. Applies theoretical principles of communication to social issues and communication settings in different cultures.

 

Succeeding in a Four-Unit Course

At SJSU, students are expected to spend two hours outside of class for every one hour of class time. Because this is a four unit class, you can expect to spend a minimum of eight hours per week in addition to time spent in class and on scheduled tutorials or activities. In the case of an online class you are NOT meeting for 3 hours every week in a physical classroom but this is still time you need to spend on the class. So for the online class total class time per week is 11 hours. For this academic year, all Communication Studies classes will focus additionally on effective scholarly, professional writing.  We feel it is important that you not only speak well, but that your writing is compelling and credible, as these two means of learning are intertwined.  Additional assignments will emphasize not only argument and the development of your ideas, but also the clarity and correctness of your expression. Careful time management will help you keep up with readings and assignments and enable you to be successful in all of your courses.

 

Course Web Resources – Wiki, Blackboard, & Google Groups 

Copies of the course syllabus and major assignment sheets may be found on the class wiki site [http://comm161.pbwiki.com].  We will use Blackboard [http://sjsu6.blackboard.com] for quizzes, discussion, and grades only. Use your SJSU ID and the password "fall" to access your Blackboard account. NOTE: If you used Blackboard CE 6 previously, use the password you had for that semester. You are responsible for regularly checking messages sent via Blackboard and Google Groups. The announcement page will be used for updates and other important alerts about the class. You may use Blackboard email to contact me or use the email address and phone number listed above. If you are having issues with Blackboard you should contact eCampus. Ironically, the best way to get a hold of someone fast is by phone at 924-2377. Course communication will be through an announcement only listserv. Please visit the Google Groups page for sign-up details. You are responsible for signing up for the class list and reading the posts. Use the email address or phone number listed above to contact me.

 

FOUNDATIONS, Inquiry, Practice

Each course in the Department of Communication Studies primarily focuses on one of three areas: Foundations (theoretical underpinnings of the discipline), Inquiry (research in the discipline), or Practice (application of communication theories and concepts to real world contexts). COMM 161F is a Foundations course. Although the course addresses research (inquiry), and practice (application), the primary purpose of COMM 161F is to introduce students to the study of culture through a communcation perspective. 

 

Foundations Area Objectives

This course satisfies the FOUNDATIONS area of Communication Studies learning objectives. All FOUNDATIONS courses, including COMM 161F, share these learning objectives:

•    Theories of Communication: Demonstrate understanding of the major theories that have shaped the communication field.

•    Ethics: Demonstrate understanding of ethical responsibilities in communicating with others in interpersonal, organizational, small group, intercultural, mediated, and public settings. 

 

Course Goals 

This course is designed to with the primary goal of introducing students to the study of culture through a communcation perspective. Through the analysis of globalization, technology, media and the students own cultural context students will develop an understanding of how communication and culture interact to create our lifeworlds.

 

Course Learning Objectives 

After successfully completing this course, you will:

 

LO1. Gain a basic understanding of communication and culture (Theories of Communication)

LO2. Understand the complexities of culture under the impact of globalization (Theory and Ethics)

LO3. Increase your knowedge of you own culture context (Theory and Ethics)

LO4. Gain an understanding of how culture, media, and technology interact (Theory and Ethics)

LO5. Increase your understanding of the development of U.S. culture (Theory and Ethics)

 

Required Texts and Readings 

IMPORTANT: Do not wait to purchase the Wise text! You cannot rely on getting it quickly when we start reading it and the fact that you have not bought it yet will not be an excuse for missing assignments!

 

Textbooks:

Carey, J. W. (2009). Communication as Culture (revised edition). Routledge, SBN: 978-0-415-98976-3, paperback.

Wise, J. M. (2008).

 

Cultural Globalization: A User's Guide

Blackwell. Paperback, ISBN: 9780631235392

Available from Robert's Bookstore, the Spartan Bookstore, Amazon.com, and many other bookstores.

 

Other Readings: There will be additional readings as required.

 

Library Liaison 

Susan Klingberg is the library liaison for Communication Studies. Contact her at Susan.Klingberg@sjsu.edu with questions you may have about library research.

 

Class Protocol 

• Class discussion should be respectful, contextual, and based on the course material.

• Rude or abusive behavior on the discussion board will not be tollerated. 

• Defacing this website (alterig pages other than your own) will result in having writer access revoked - this means you will no longer be able to post for the wiki assignments and will receive a zero on them.

• For information on late assignments and missing quizzes please see the Missed Quiz and Late Paper Policy Page. 

• Go here for information on grade review requests.

 

Dropping and Adding 

You are responsible for understanding the policies and procedures about add/drops, academic renewal, and similar topics found at sa.sjsu.edu/student_conduct.

 

Assignments and Grading Policy 

See the Assignments Instruction Page for details and the Weekly Assignments page for the assignment of the week. For information on late assignments and missing quizzes please see the Missed Quiz and Late Paper Policy Page.  and Go here for information on grade review requests.

 

This course is designed to flow over two week periods. For example:

Reading A: These are the readings that you need to be familiar with by the start of this week (Monday)>

Quiz: This quiz covers reading A (opens Monday at 9 am/closes the following Monday at 9 am)>

Wiki Post: This wiki post addresses an issue or question concerning reading A (due Thursday by 9 am)>

Discussion: this discussion addresses the readings and wiki posts of the previous week< 

 

Weekly Wiki Posts (250 points - 10x25)

Must be posted no later that 9 am Thursday; 200 word minimum 300 word maximum. I will create a wiki page for each student to post materials for the class. Each week, students will have a task such as finding a topical article or website, answering a question, or other tasks related to the course. These posts will be used along with the readings as basis for discussion. Students must post by the weekly deadline to earn credit. See the Assignments Instruction Page for details.

 

Final Wiki Post (100 points)

(500 word minimum) Take one of your wiki posts and expand on it by bring in (2) additional sources. Sources must be referenced in APA style.

 

Weekly Discussion (250 points - 10x25)

Each week we have class discussion via a discussion board. Each week we focus on the readings and wiki posts from the previous week - except for Week 15 (since you would have had a full week to process them), but feel free to expand on concepts and bring in new material. Weeks run Monday to Sunday.

1. four messages with at least 12 hours between each message

2. in two messages, discuss concepts that resonate with you.

3. each concept message must be at least 150 words

4. in the other two messages, comment on what at least two other discussants have said, referring to them by name

5. each comment message must be at least 100 words

 See the Assignments Instruction Page for details

 

Slang and Work Jargon Dictionary (88 - 4x22)

We use slang and jargon everyday, some of it general and widely know, some of it very specific to our co-cultures and work. Often, we use slang that has origins we don’t really understand. For example, most of us know that “dropping a dime” on someone means turning him/her in or telling on her/him to someone else – usually the authorities. This term’s origins reside in using a pay phone to call the police about someone back when (seriously) a phone call from a pay phone was a dime.

 

Together we are going to build a Slang and Work Jargon Dictionary. Each of you will create 6 entries and place them within a general category (eg. work) and a specific sub-category (restaurants). Posting more is okay (whatever floats your boat), but does not yield any extra points. The more obscure or interesting the better. See the Assignments Instruction Page for details

 

Quizzes (312 - 13x24)

Readings will be assessed though regular quizzes. All quizzes are multiple choice, open book and note, and are timed.

 

Online Quizzes (13). Administered weekly via Blackboard, they consist of 12 multiple-choice questions, are open book/note, and timed (20 minutes) (2x12=24x13=312). Quiz questions are randomly drawn from a pool of questions, so every quiz is different. Quizzes (unless otherwise noted) open at 9 am the Monday of each week and will close the following Monday at 9 am.

 

Final 

The final consists of an opportunity to retake OR make-up ONE online quiz.

 

Extra Credit

•The Course Orientation Workshop and assignments online quiz (1x12=12) is for extra credit. This is an opportunity to get to know the format and the instructors quiz construction philosophy. 

•Other extra credit opportunities may emerge as the term progresses.

•The last  discussion sessions will be worth 10 points each.

 

Grading

Your final grade will be based on the following point system:

Discussion (10): (10x25=250)             250

Wiki Posts (10): (10x 25 = 250)           250

Final Wiki Post (1):                               100

Quizzes (13): (12x2=24x13=312)       312

Slang and Work Jargon Dictionary 

(4x22=88)                                             88 

TOTAL                                               1000 pts.

 

Grading Scale  (points = letter grade>)

990-1000+	A+	840-869	B	700-739	C-
950-990	A	800-839	B-	670-699	D+
900-949	A-	770-799	C+	640-669	D
870-899	B+	740-769	C	600-639	D-
				> 600	F

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

University Policies

 

Academic Integrity 

You must be familiar with the University’s Academic Integrity Policy available at sa.sjsu.edu/student_conduct. “Your own commitment to learning, as evidenced by your enrollment at San Jose State University and the University’s integrity policy, require you to be honest in all your academic course work. Faculty members are required to report all infractions to the office of Student Conduct and Ethical development.”

 

I will not tolerate instances of academic dishonesty. Cheating on quizzes or plagiarism (presenting the work of another as your own, or the use of another person’s ideas without giving proper credit) will result in a failing grade and sanctions by the University. For this class, all assignments are to be completed by the individual student unless otherwise specified. “If you would like to include in your assignment any material you have submitted, or plan to submit for another class, please note that SJSU’s Academic Policy F06-1 requires approval of instructors.”

 

Campus Policy in Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act 

If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, or if you need to make special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible, or see me during office hours. Presidential Directive 97-03 requires that students with disabilities requesting accommodations must register with the DRC (Disability Resource Center) to establish a record of their disability.

 

Student Technology Resources 

Computer labs for student use are available in the new Academic Success Center located on the 1st floor of Clark Hall and on the 2nd floor of the Student Union. In addition, computers are available in the Martin Luther King Library. The COMM Lab, located in Clark Hall 240, also has a few computers available for student use.

 

A wide variety of audio-visual equipment is available for student checkout from Media Services located in IRC 112. These items include digital and VHS camcorders, VHS and Beta video players, 16 mm, slide, overhead, DVD, CD, and audiotape players, sound systems, wireless microphones, screens and monitors.

 

COMM Lab 

The COMM Lab is located in Clark Hall 240. Tutors for the lab are recruited from well-qualified communication studies graduate and upper division students. The Lab provides resources for enrichment and assistance for those enrolled in all Communication Studies classes.  Lab hours vary by semester and are posted on the COMM Lab wiki. available at commlab.pbwiki.com. Support for the Lab is provided by enrollments in COMM 80.

 

Learning Assistance Resource Center 

The Learning Assistance Resource Center is designed to assist students in the development of their full academic potential and to motivate them to become self-directed learners. The center provides support services, such as skills assessment, individual or group tutorials, subject advising, learning assistance, summer academic preparation and basic skills development. The Learning Assistance Resource Center is located in Room 600 in the Student Services Center.

 

SJSU Writing Center 

The SJSU Writing Center in Clark Hall 126 is staffed by professional instructors and upper-division or graduate-level writing specialists from each of the seven SJSU colleges. The writing specialists have met a rigorous GPA requirement, and they are well trained to assist all students at all levels within all disciplines to become better writers. More information available at sjsu.edu/writingcenter.

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Comm161F Fall 2009 Class Schedule 

Subject to change with fair notice or I will announce any changes in class or I will notify you of any changes via Google Groups. The last day the syllabus was updated is in green at the top of this page.

 

Reading assigned for the week need to be completed in order to complete that week's assignments and discussion.

 

Wiki posts are due on Thursdays at 9 am.

 

Week 1 (August 24-28) 

Reading: Syllabus and Course Orientation Workshop; Carey, Introduction pp. 1-8 [8] and C1 A Cultural Approach to Communication pp. 11-28 [17]

Wiki set-up: Create your wiki page - go to the Weekly Assignments Instruction Page for details.

Discussion: say hello and ask questions

 

Deadline for contacting instructor is midnight Wednesday August 25 - after that you will be dropped from the course and your position given so someone else.

 

Bonus Online Quiz Opens 9 am Monday (syllabus) 

Online Quiz #1 Opens 9 am Monday (Introduction pp. 1-8 and C1 A Cultural Approach to Communication pp. 11-28) - for this first quiz I am giving you an extra week to compete it to account for late adds and such.

 

(Friday, August 28 is a furlough day - no instructor contact)

 

Week 2 (August 31 – September 4) 

Reading: Carey, C2 Mass Communication and Cultural Studies pp. 29-52[23] and C3 Reconceiving Mass Media pp. 53-67[14]

Wiki Q1: What communication rituals do you practice? Interrogate a media based communication ritual - trace its origins - where did it come from? How did you create/adopt this ritual?

Discussion 1: What do you think is the relationship between Communication and Culture?

 

Bonus Online Quiz Closes 9 am Monday

Online Quiz #2 Opens (Mass Communication and Cultural Studies pp. 29-52 and Reconceiving Mass Media pp. 53-67)

 

Week 3 (September 7-11) 

Reading: C4 Carey, Overcoming Resistance to Cultural Studies pp. 68-84[16]

Wiki Q2: What is the “value” of a college degree? Why did you choose to attend college and what are your expectations (specific or general) for earning a degree?

Discussion 2: What are your reactions to Carey, C2 Mass Communication and Cultural Studies pp. 29-52; C3 Reconceiving Mass Media pp. 53-67; and others wiki posts?

 

Online Quiz #1 Closes 9 am Monday

Online Quiz #3 Opens (Carey, Overcoming Resistance to Cultural Studies pp. 68-84)

Slang and Jargon Dictionary (SJD) entry #1 due 9 am Friday

 

Week 4 (September 14-18) 

Reading: C5 Quirk (in Carey) The Mythos of the Electronic Revolution pp.87-108[21]

Wiki Q3: How will new technology affect the development of your future “cultural-self?” Using technological developments of past “communication revolutions,” project into the future. Think about how culture in the past might have been influenced by the technology of the time and how new technologies (say in 15 years – 2024) might impact our personal cultural selves. Try to use specific, rather than general, historical references or concepts from the text.

Discussion 3: What are your reactions to C4 Carey, Overcoming Resistance to Cultural Studies pp. 68-84 and last weeks wiki posts?

 

Online Quiz #2 Closes 9 am Monday 

Online Quiz #3 Closes

Online Quiz #4 Opens (Quirk [in Carey] The Mythos of the Electronic Revolution pp.87-108)

 

Tuesday, September 15 furlough day - no instructor access

 

Week 5 (September 21-25) Furlough Week No $ No Class

Reading: C6 Carey, Space, Time, and Communications: A tribute to Harold Innis pp. 103-132[29]

Wiki Q: Compare and contrast your own space-binding and time-binding cultural aspects. Which of your cultural characteristics fit into each category? Be specific and concentrate on just one or two in each category.

Discussion:

 

Online Quiz #4 Closes 

Online Quiz #5 Opens (Carey, Space, Time, and Communications: A tribute to Harold Innis pp. 103-132)

 

Week 6 (September 28 – October 2) 

Reading: C7 Quirk (in Carey) The History of the Future pp. 133-154[21]

Wiki Q4: Carey (p. 152) states that “we are awash now in nostalgia for the future.” It what ways does your “nostalgia for the future” impact your present? That is, unlike nature, we construct our worlds teleologically (designed or directed toward a final result). How are your actions now designed to create your specific future? Please avoid generalities dealing with education to get a better or good job, make you smarter, etc.

Discussion 4: C6 Carey, Space, Time, and Communications: A tribute to Harold Innis

 

Online Quiz #5 Closes

Online Quiz #6 Opens (Quirk (in Carey) The History of the Future pp. 133-154)

Slang and Jargon Dictionary (SJD) entry #2 due due 9 am Monday

 

Week 7 (October 5-9) (no class AoIR) 

Reading: none

Wiki: none

Discussion: none

 

Online Quiz #6 Closes

 

Week 8 (October 12-16) 

Reading: C8 Carey, Technology and Ideology: The Case of the Telegraph pp. 155-177[22]

Wiki Q5: The telegraph changed reality by, for the first time, separating transportation from communication. This had many impacts ranging from the development of monopoly capitalism to the idea of the multilevel transformative nature of technology. Ideology of the Internet - how has it changed reality (culture/communication) in general and for you specifically?

Discussion 5: What are your reaction to C7 Quirk (in Carey) The History of the Future?

 

Online Quiz #7 Opens (Carey, Technology and Ideology: The Case of the Telegraph pp. 155-177)

Slang and Jargon Dictionary (SJD) entry #3 due due 9 am Monday (October 12th this time).

 

Week 9 (October 19-23) 

Reading: Wise, C1 Culture at Home pp. 1-25[25]

Wiki Q6: Strategic essentialism is a way to express an “essential identity” (which in practicality do not exist) but it is important to express that identity (gender, race, ethnicity, etc) at a particular time and place (p. 14).

Recall a time and place where you either practiced strategic essentialism or witnessed it practiced by a friend, relative, or co-worker (not in the media or via hearsay). Be specific. How did it make you feel? Was it effective? See text for examples.

Discussion 6: C8 Carey, Technology and Ideology: The Case of the Telegraph

 

(Monday, October 19 is a furlough day - no instructor access)

 

Online Quiz #7 Closes

Online Quiz #8 Opens (Wise, C1 Culture at Home pp. 1-25)

 

Week 10 (October 26-30) 

Reading: Wise, C2 Culture and the Global pp. 26-53[27]

Wiki Q7: Often the media we consume reflects our culture(s). Select a television program or movie that embodies or bridges your culture(s) or co-culture(s). Describe that particular cultural aspect(s), explain why you think that TV program or movie is a good representation of your co/culture, and how this links into the text.

Discussion 7: Wise, C1 Culture at Home

 

(Monday, October 26 is a furlough day - no instructor contact)

 

Online Quiz #8 closes 

Online Quiz #9 Opens (Wise, C2 Culture and the Global pp. 26-53)

 

Week 11 (November 2-6) 

Reading: Wise, C3 Global Youth pp. 54-75[21]

Wiki Q8: Wise and Kjeldgaard (pp. 71-72) discuss the idea of the “consumptionscape” – how we construct our culture through the act of consuming local, regional, national, or global goods. Within the context of this chapter - describe your own consumptionscape and how it impacts your cultural self.

Discussion 8: Wise, C2 Culture and the Global

 

Online Quiz #9 Closes

Online Quiz #10 Opens (Wise, C3 Global Youth pp. 54-75)

Slang and Jargon Dictionary (SJD) entry #4 due due 9 am Monday November 2

 

Week 12 (November 9-13) 

Reading: Wise, C4 Global Music pp. 76-107[31]

Wiki Q9: There are two options for this week’s discussion question. Please identify which option you choose to use by only pasting in your wiki page the option chosen. Both deal with the role of music in establishing and projecting your own culture.

Option #1: Select one song or artist/band or genre of music that you would use to exemplify your personal or a co-culture you belong to and the role it plays in signaling who you “are.” Be specific and use examples.

Option #2: Are you into a live music scene? Describe the scene and how it exemplifies your own culture or co-culture you belong to and the role it plays in signaling who you “are.” Be specific and use examples.

Discussion 9: Wise, C3 Global Youth

 

Online Quiz #10 closes 

Online Quiz #11 Opens (Wise, C4 Global Music pp. 76-107)

 

Week 13 (November 16-20) 

Reading: Wise, C5 Territories of Cultural Globalization pp. 108-147 [39]

Wiki Q10: Wise discusses how we define our cultural territories or have them defined for us. Again, this week you have a few options on the question you address. Please identify which option you choose to use by only pasting in your wiki page the option chosen.

Option #1: How do you define your own cultural/co-cultural territories? Be specific and use examples. 

Option #2: How do you feel constrained and coerced into specific cultural/co-cultural territories? Be specific and use examples. 

Option #3: How do you balance being constrained and coerced into specific cultural/co-cultural territories and defining your own cultural/co-cultural territories? What strategies do you employ?

Discussion 10: Wise, C4 Global Music

 

Online Quiz #11 closes

Online Quiz #12 Opens  (Wise, Territories of Cultural Globalization pp. 108-147)

Slang and Jargon Dictionary (SJD) entry #5 due 9 am Monday November 16

 

Week 14 (November 23-27) (No class Furlough/Thanksgiving) 

Reading: none

 

Online Quiz #12 closes

 

Week 15 (November 30 – December 4) 

Reading: Wise, C6 Conclusion: Open Windows [15]

Final Wiki Assignment: (500+ words) Using Wise as your source, post about what you have taken away from the readings and discussions in this class. What have learned about yourself or others cultures/co-cultures? What insights, if any, have you experienced? Feel free to discuss several different topics but remember to cite the text (any chapter is fine).

Final Discussion: Wise, C5 Territories of Cultural Globalization

 

Quiz #13 opens (Wise, C5 Territories of Cultural Globalization pp. 108-147 and C6 Conclusion: Open Windows*)

 

* due to the last chapter's short length, questons from C5 have been included. It is possible you may get some of the same questions from last week. Each chapter is 50% of this quiz.

 

Week 16 (December 7-8)

Reading: None

Wiki: none

Discussion: process (EC)

 

Quiz #13 closes

 

Slang and Jargon Dictionary (SJD) entry #6 due 9 am Monday December 7

 

Final: Make-up one (1) missed quiz OR retake one (1) quiz for a higher score opens