:: basic concepts of new media ::

::    COM 300    ::    spring 2006 ::

assignments

There are no exams in this course; instead, there are several assignments. Each of these assignments is required to successfully pass the course. Grades are determined as follows:

• Final Project - 35%
• Writing Assignments - 30%
• Participation (includes reading assignments) - 35%

A. Final Project (35%):

For more details, see the course pack

As part of this project, each student will create a course web site located at http://students.washington.edu/your_uw_id/com300/ (com300 is case sensitive).

Each student will develop a final project that critically examines an aspect of digital media of the student's choice. The project must be delivered in multiple media. Possible projects follow:

• Book Review: Select a book that explores concepts covered in the course. Write a critique of the book, using at least three scholarly sources in your argument(s). This is a critique, not a report! You must obtain the permission of the instructor after you have selected a possible book. On your course website, provide an abstract in HTML and a link to your final report (as an RTF or PDF). Also provide a link to a copy of the Powerpoint you use in your class presentation as well as a link to the PPT-saved-for-the-web.
• Position Paper : Select an issue related to digital media and present various points of view before taking a stand on the issue. [Examining the pros and cons of electronic voting is one example.] The paper must include at least eight external references; a minimum of three must be scholarly (academic) references and at least three of the other five must be reputable media not personal web sites or Wikipedia). On your course website, provide an abstract in HTML and a link to your final report (as an RTF or PDF). Also provide a link to a copy of the Powerpoint you use in your class presentation as well as a link to the PPT-saved-for-the-web.
• Research Paper: This research paper will explore an industry, product or technology. Provide historical view, current status, and project future development/problems/issues. The paper must include at least eight external references; a minimum of three must be scholarly (academic) references and at least three of the other five must be reputable media (not personal web sites or Wikipedia). On your course website, provide an abstract in HTML and a link to your final report (as an RTF or PDF). Also provide a link to a copy of the Powerpoint you use in your class presentation as well as a link to the PPT-saved-for-the-web.
• Audio Recording: Students who are interested in the evolving medium of podcasting or who are interested in radio may work with the instructor to develop a 5-8 minute podcast on an approved topic. This assignment must be research-based; students will develop a script and a bibliography of sources that includes at least three scholarly citations. The final MP3 may substitute for the above-required Powerpoint presentation, but the student will still give an oral presentation in Week 9 or 10.

All students must develop a topic proposal that consists of an abstract and rationale. A draft of this proposal will be submitted via Catalyst using the Peer Review tool. Students must provide positive feedback/suggestions to the other Peer Group team members. Students will submit a mid-term status report via e-mail. These two reports will not receive an individual grade, but they are required assignments.

All projects must include an annotated bibliography as a separate deliverable.

The final project will be evaluated based on completeness, critical thought, originality, creativity, and, of course, grammar/punctuation/spelling. Writing should be professional (not anecdotal) except for the podcast, which should be conversational. Projects should incorporate theories and concepts addressed during the course. Both deliverables will be submitted via Catalyst as Word documents. We will use APA for citations.

B. Writing Assignments (30%):

We will set up blogs on our first day of class; students will e-mail the instructor the blog address by 5 pm the first day of class. These URLs will be compiled and made accessible to everyone via the class web site. I will be reading these regularly.

There are three written assignments to be delivered using eSubmit. Each assignment will be evaluated based on thoroughness/completeness as well as grammar and punctuation.

• Assignment 1: due 21 Apr - Search - (pdf)
• Assignment 2: due 12 May - Community (pdf)
• Assignment 3: due 26 May - Society (pdf)

 

C. Class Participation, 35%.

These points will be based both on participation in the classroom and through the Peer Review system as well as course blogs. For details, on reading assignments, proposals and discussion leaders, see the Syllabus.

There is no midterm or final exam.

evaluation

Grading Scale:

• 4.0 - 95-100 - A
  Exceptional work. Student performance demonstrates full command of course material and evidences a high level of originality and/or creativity
• 3.5 - 90-94 - A-
  Outstanding work. Student performance demonstrates full command of course material and exceeds course expectations by completing all requirements in a superior manner.
• 3.3 - 87-89 - B+
  Very good work. Student performance demonstrates above average understanding of the course material and completes all requirements.
• 3.0 - 84-86 - B
  Good work. Student performance demonstrates comprehension of the course material and completes all requirements.
• 2.7 - 80-83 - B-
  Average work. Student performance demonstrates less than full comprehension of the course material but attempts all tasks.
• 2.3 - 77-79 - C+
  Below average work - both in terms of comprehension and completeness.
• 2.0 - 73-76 - C
  Extremely below average work - student performance demonstrates flawed understanding; assignments are incomplete.
• 1.0 - 70-72 - D
  Extremely below average work - student performance does not indicicate comprehension of material; assignments are incomplete; major errors in logic, procedure, grammar.
• 0.0 - 69 and below - E
  Unacceptable work; major errors; missing assignments; performance does not reflect comprehension of course material. Academic failure.

UW Grading System

Course Info

• assignments
• readings
• schedule
• syllabus

Student Links

• class list
• eReserve
• eSubmit
• peer groups
• student blogs

Other Links

• Faculty Site
• WiredPen