An introductory communication department syllabus for an Online Asynchronous (OLA) university course. The course is titled Communication & New Media. Learn more at: mattkushin.com

1. Matthew J. Kushin, PhD
Shepherd University Course Syllabus .:. 1
COMM 203(02): Communication & New Media [Online]
Fall 2021 | 3 Credit Hours
Lecture: Online on at Brightspace: https://brightspace.shepherd.edu
Text: · Introduction to Mass Communication: Media Literacy &
Culture (recent edition) by Stanley Baran
Course Documents & Assignments accessible on Brightspace:
https://brightspace.shepherd.edu
Course Overview
New media are changing the ways we live and work. Communication professionals must be fluent across media
platforms and ready to embrace perpetual change. Communication and New Media is a course that examines
media technologies and their cultural implications. The course is designed to provide students with a survey of the
field and an introduction to digital media production and media literacy.
LEAP Goals:
#1: Knowledge of Human Cultures & the Physical & Natural
World
#2: Intellectual & Practical Skills throughout the Curriculum
Learning Outcomes:
▪ Study of the Social Sciences ▪ Inquiry &
Analysis ▪ Critical Thinking ▪ Oral & Written
Communication ▪ Information Literacy ▪
Collaborative Work ▪ Lifelong Learning
Objectives:
This course
 Introduces students to the department and major.
 Provides a survey of career opportunities in media today.
 Examines perspectives on advances in new media technology in a world of media convergence.
 Explores and encourages the role of the individual as media producer.
 Provides a survey of the structure, operation, and diversity of media industries.
 Explores, critically, the impact of media change on society & individuals as both consumers and citizens.
 Discusses the evolution of different forms and fields of the media that have contributed to today’s media landscape.
Assessment based on ability to:
 Demonstrate an understanding of the impact and influence of the major forms of mass communication & new media
on American culture, society and the individual
 Utilize technology to improve critical thinking and writing
 Execute essential media production skills as a foundation for future courses
 Work effectively in teams to complete course projects
 Demonstrate media literacy (as both producer and consumer of media) and a critical perspective of the way in which
mediated communication is consumed by individuals and society
 Identify historical and emerging trends in mass communication, technologies, and audiences
 Demonstrate familiarity with the writing, research, and documentation conventions in the field of communication.
Final Grades: Final grades will be determined with the following scale. There is no rounding:
A = 94-100% B+ = 86-89.9% C+ = 76-79.9% D+ = 66-69.9% F =0-59.9%
B = 83-85.9% C = 73-75.9% D = 63-65.9%
A- = 90-93.9% B- = 80-82.9% C- ; may = 70-72.9% D- = 60-62.9%
All assignments due by the start of class on the due date unless specified otherwise.
Tentative Schedule
Note: Readings are to be completed by the date listed below. Schedule is subject to change.
Professor: Matthew J. Kushin, PhD
Virtual Office Hours: I check emails multiple
times a day on weekdays. I am not available
on weekends. Plan ahead with questions.
Book Video/audio Chat Appointment
(between 10am-4:30pm):

2. Matthew J. Kushin, PhD
Shepherd University Course Syllabus .:. 2
[Week#
]
Week of
& Day
Topic
Assignments in italics are assigned that day. In bold are due that day.
Assignments in bold and italics are assigned that day and due by 11:55pm
that evening.
Associated Lesson on
Brightspace
[1] 8/23
Tues
Welcome to Class
Participation 1 (3 parts. See Brightspace)
Day 1 – Start Here
Thurs Media, Culture and the Media Industry
Participation 2: Discussion Post: Media & Values
Lessons: Week 1
[2] 8/30
Tues
Web Content, Organization, and Distribution
Participation 3: Setting Up Your Blog
Lessons: Week 2
Thurs Internet Overview, Digital Divide and Tech Determinism
Blog post #1 – YOU CHOOSE POST
Lessons: Week 2
[3] 9/6
Tues
Media Technological Innovation & Marshall McLuhan Lessons: Week 3
Thurs Issues in Sound and Recorded Music
Assign Podcast
Lessons: Week 3
[4] 9/13
Tues
Journalism and Issues and Criticisms in Journalism Lessons: Week 4
Thurs Podcast Lab # 1
Podcast Subassignment Topic
Lessons: Week 4
[5] 9/20
Tues
Murrow & The Responsibility of the Media Industry; Open Lab
Time
Podcast Subassignment Topic
Blog post #2 – YOU CHOOSE POST
Lessons: Week 5
Podcast Lab #2
Podcast Subassignment: Check In
Lessons: Week 5
[6] 9/27
Tues
Open Lab; How to Write Your Show Notes
Podcast Subassignment: Check In
Lessons: Week 6
Thurs Open Lab – work on your podcast Lessons: Week 6
[7] 10/4
Tues
Open Lab – work on your podcast
Podcast Lab Day
Lessons: Week 7
Thurs Open Lab – work on your podcast; Exam Review
Podcast Assignment Due
Lessons: Week 7
[8]
10/11
Tues
Midterm Exam Lessons: Week 8
Thurs Fall Break – No Class Lessons: Week 8
[9]
10/18
Tues
What is Public Relations?
Adobe Spark Project
Lessons: Week 9
Thurs Public Relations Today; Adobe Sparks Lab 1
Blog post 3: Vals – YOU CHOOSE POST
Lessons: Week 9
[10]
10/25
Tues
Advertising 1; Open Lab Lessons: Week 10

3. Matthew J. Kushin, PhD
Shepherd University Course Syllabus .:. 3
Assignments
Online Exams 22% each (44% total)
Exam 1
Final Exam. Note: Will take place during finals week.
Podcast 16%
Sub assignments:
Topic submitted for approval
Check-in report
Adobe Spark Project 20%
Subassignments
Adobe Sparks Project Check-in
Blog Posts 10%
You Choose Blog Post (complete one)
Required Blog Post
Participation Assignments 10%
Additional Information
Thurs Advertising Agency Structure & Convergence. Lessons: Week 10
[11]
11/1
Tues
Adobe Sparks Lab 2
Adobe Spark Subassignment: Project Check-In
Lessons: Week 11
Thurs The Dark Side of Social Media
Blog Post #4 – REQUIRED BLOG POST
Lessons: Week 11
[12]
11/8
Tues
Film & Television Lessons: Week 12
Thurs Adobe Sparks Lab 3
Lab Time to work on your Adobe Spark Project
Lessons: Week 12
[13]
11/15
Tues
Theories of Media; Theory Highlight: Media & Violence Lessons: Week 13
Thurs Open Lab Day: Work on your Adobe Spark Project Lessons: Week 13
[14]
11/22
Tues
Thanksgiving Break – No Class
Thanksgiving Break – No Class
[15]
11/29
Tues
Open Lab Day: Work on your Adobe Spark Project Lessons: Week 15
Extra Credit: Students who turn
their Final Project Report in by 2pm
today will receive 5% extra credit.
Lab Time to work on your Project
Final Exam Review
Adobe Spark Project Due. No late assignments accepted for
any reason.
Lessons: Week 15

4. Matthew J. Kushin, PhD
Shepherd University Course Syllabus .:. 4
Department Social Media @shepcomm instagram.com/sucomm shepcommblog.wordpress.com
Dr. Kushin @mjkushin
Equipment Checkout: For some of the projects in this class you may want additional media equipment. If you don’t
have your own, you can check them out from the library. I suggest planning ahead. You are responsible for any
equipment you check out and for adhering to all library policy. Find equipment & policy info here:
http://www.shepherd.edu/libweb/libservices/borrowing.html
Expectations for an Online Course
1. Skills and qualities that can help you succeed in an on-line course:
 student is highly motivated
 student is independent
 student has good organizational skills
 student adapts to new environments easily
 student enjoys searching for information on their own
 student has a good working knowledge of their computer and basic computer applications
 student checks email every day and can attach files and open attachments in their email program
 student is disciplined and has good time management skills
 student is confident in their academic abilities
2. A bit more about online courses:
 There is typically no specific time you need to check into your class, especially if it is "asynchronous." However, you
will want to attend closely to the details of the syllabus and schedule and log into your course daily to keep updated
on new material.
 Online courses sometimes take more time than a classroom course, especially when participation is required.
However, students generally like the opportunity to participate once they get started and some students who do not
usually participate in a classroom setting enjoy doing so online - there is no threat of being evaluated "on the spot."
 Before emailing the instructor about details of the course, be sure to read all the posted information in the course.
3. Student expectations
You, as a student, should try your best to:
• Check the class Brightspace site each day.
• Check your SU email every 24-48 hours.
• Submit assignments prior to their due date/time.
• Complete all readings and activities in a timely manner.
• Keep an open mind regarding the material and other opinions.
• Notify the instructor if you have any problems in a timely manner.
4. Time Management
Online courses require a significant time commitment from students. Students new to online learning tend to underestimate

5. Matthew J. Kushin, PhD
Shepherd University Course Syllabus .:. 5
this time commitment significantly. This is an even bigger challenge when it is a summer course, condensed into one month.
Students who are successful in online courses are highly motivated learners who "schedule" time for their online courses just
like a f2f course. Assignments should be started early. Work on them regularly over the week rather than waiting until the last
day or two. This will allow you to have the chance to work out problems or seek help if needed.
5. Netiquette expectations
(For more about "netiquette" see www.albion.com/netiquette/corerules.html or the book, Netiquette, by Virginia Shea).
In this course, you will be participating in discussions with your peers and with the instructor. We will also correspond via
email. As such, there are certain norms we will follow called "netiquette".
Netiquette is the etiquette or social rules that govern electronic forms of communication. How you might communicate with
your friends via IM or text is not necessarily acceptable in the university environment. All electronic communication (email,
discussion board postings, chats, etc.) should follow the conventions for scholarly discussion. This includes the use of correct
spelling (use spell check!), proper grammar, capitalization, and complete sentences. In addition, your writing should reflect a
respect for others and differences in opinion. All communication should be written in a formal voice.
Because we are not interacting face-to-face, it is especially important to be polite and respectful in all communications. We
have probably all experienced problems when on-line messages are misinterpreted, or when people send messages without
considering their impact on others. Let's be careful!
Perhaps the most important tip:
Backing up your files! You will be offered several ways to save your work online. However . . . and this is important:
Course Policies
Late assignments: All assignments are due at 11:55pm on their due date. Late means turned in ANYTIME AFTER
11:55pm on the due date. 2 minutes late and 2 hours late are treated equally. Late assignments will be accepted
for a 20% reduction if turned in by 11:55pm on the following class period after the due date. Late assignments will
not be accepted after 1 class period after the due date. Students are responsible for remembering to turn in
assignments (online for major papers) or in person prior to end of class on the due date. There will be no
exceptions to the late assignment policy. Internet issues are not an excuse, unless extenuating circumstances are
documented and provided. Internet issues are not an excuse. Plan ahead.
Email & Electronic Communication Policy: I will prioritize & make every effort to respond to communications sent
during virtual office hours ASAP. However, for electronic communication occurring outside of established Office
Hours:
 Students can expect to get a response to an email from me within 48 hours of sending it, often much
sooner. If you don’t hear from me within 48 hours, send a polite reminder.
 If you send me an email or any other electronic communication and I do not respond to it, then I did not
receive it. You will always get a response from me if I received something.
 Students should not expect responses on weekends or after 6pm.
 Email subject lines should include: Class Title & Your name. e.g., “Comm 203 – Jane Doe”
 In case of real emergency needing response ASAP, add “[emergency]” to subject line. Don’t abuse this!
You should always save your work on another storage device or on your own computer hard drive, thumb drive, etc.
Tech / Internet issues are not an excuse for turning in late work.

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Shepherd University Course Syllabus .:. 6
Academic Dishonesty. Each student in this course is expected to abide by the Shepherd University Academic
Integrity Procedures found in the Shepherd University Student Handbook
(http://www.shepherd.edu/students/studenthandbook.pdf).
By submitting academic work, students warrant that the work is their own and that unauthorized materials or
resources were not used. Plagiarism, fraud, unauthorized use of resources–cheating in all its forms is not
tolerated. All members of the Shepherd community are responsible for maintaining their own academic integrity
and for reporting suspected academic dishonesty.
Plagiarism is the act of stealing and using, as one’s own, the ideas of another or the written expression of the ideas
of another. Students guilty of academic dishonesty in any course will receive sanction from the course instructor
and may face sanctions by the University, particularly if there is a second reported offense. Sanctions may include
dismissal from the University. In this course you will fail any assignment you plagiarize on. Additional sanctions
may be taken at the discretion of the instructor including but not limited to reporting the incident to the proper
university authorities.
Tutoring: FREE TUTORING! ANY COURSE! Take advantage of a free personal trainer for the mind. Contact the
Academic Support Center in 103 Library: http://www.shepherd.edu/academic-support/; 876-5221; 8:00 am–4:30
pm.
Publication: The department of communication has the right to record, file, broadcast, webcast and publish,
through any means necessary, any or all other means of distributing student production work in perpetuity.
COMM maintains an archive of material that we may webcast, broadcast, show in theaters and use for the
promotion of the department and its students. Any monetary gain made by the department will be used only for
the development of the program, and student wellbeing. The students who produce the work also maintain the
rights to use their work as they see fit, and are liable for that usage.
Accessibility Support Services:
The Office of Accessibility Services at Shepherd University believes that, "the first step to success is access."
Accessibility Services is committed to working closely with individuals with exceptionalities to meet their academic
and housing needs. Students requesting any disability related accommodation should contact the Office of
Accessibility Services at 304-876-5122. This includes, but is not limited to, students with visual or hearing
impairments, students with diagnosed disabilities that affect their learning and in need of academic
accommodations, and students requesting specific housing accommodations for health-related reasons. Students
must be registered with the Office of Accessibility Services and present their certified accommodation letter to
each of their instructors as early in the semester as possible prior to using any granted academic accommodation.
For more information, please visit https://www.shepherd.edu/accessibility