Hai Do's Homepage - MCOM 3360 Sylabus

(Front page of syllabus) Mass Communication 3360 Electronic Publishing/Internet Links to [Course Schedule] [Projects] [Project Descriptions]

Class Meetings: Tuesday-Thursday
4:00 - 5:50pm
Classroom: Meiklejohn 1106

Instructor: Eric Ronning

Office Hours: Tues. 3:00 - 4:00pm

Meiklejohn 1098 (510) 885-3176

    This course is designed to provide an introduction to the use of international computer networks know as the Internet and the developing field of electronic publishing. It is intended to allow the user to become familiar and comfortable with network for both professional and personal use. The student will learn to conduct research using this tool as well be able to promote job searches and develop other personal itineraries. The course will also provide a strong focus on the evolving world of electronic publishing and prepare a path for continuing growth in the area.
    There is no required text for this course. This is in part because no definitative text is currently available. Although reference books do exist, in this rapidly evolving arena of communication, most are quickly outdated. The student is encouraged to access secondary sources which may provide additional support. However, the main focus of the course will be upon sources which are available from the Internet itself.
    Rather than rely upon dated information, the course will attempt to provide an insight into the concepts and practical philosophies of the electronic medium. The student will learn to grow and adapt to the evolving system rather than merely perform mechanistic functions. In short, the Internet is in a state of flux and will continue to evolve, grow and change into the foreseeable future. We shall learn to use its present abilities while anticipating an undetermined future.

Course Schedule
Week one - Introduction, Orientation and Begin HTML Programming
Week two - Graphics Usage (Intro. to Photoshop) - Electronic Journalism Project #1
Week three - Research Methods and HTML Programming
Week four - Gif Animation and HTML Frames - Legal Issues & Research
Week five - Introduction to Java & Applet Usage
Week six - Midterm - Marketing and Special Topics
Week seven - Jobs and Resumes
Week eight - Electronic Publishing
Week nine - Electronic Publishing
Week ten - Personal Home Page
Final Week .....
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Projects:
Project #1 (E-Journalism #1) - due at end of week three.
Project #2 (Legal Issues) - due at end of week five.
Project #3 (Marketing) - due at end of week nine.
Project #4 (Job Search) - due at end of week eight.
Project #5 (E-Journalism #2) - due at end of week ten.
Project #6 (Home Page) - due at assigned final period.
Projects are outlined on back of syllabus and will be composed in HTML format (except Electronic Journalism Project #1 which is to be written in traditional fashion - save copy of file).
* Special Topics such as FutureWave, Real Audio and VRML will be discussed as time allows.

All projects except Project #6 (home page) shall include a electronic footnotes of network resources used. The bibliography should include Network addresses and printouts. All projects will be discussed in greater during the class meetings. [top]

(back page of syllabus) Projects for MCom 3360

Electronic Journalism Project #1 - Analysis of electronic publications - 30 points

Legal Issues - Explore and discuss legal issues involved in use of the electronic networks. Topics should include issues of copyright, international treaties, security concerns and governmental actions. - 30 points

Marketing/Advertising Issues and methods - Explore and discuss methods of marketing and advertising currently in use on the "net". Conceptualize and discuss future methods and the implications held for international society and traditional methods of marketing. Analyze methods of interactivity as applied to marketing concepts. Discuss evolving communication theory as applied to the world wide web. - 50 points

Job Search - Compile a list of ten employment related websites when jobs may be looked for or resumes posted. (this is to be compiled as an html document with electronic footnotes and links to these sites.) Document the procedures and opportunities available and methods by which the Internet may be used to assist the job search. - 25 points

Electronic Journalism Project #2 - Discuss current and potential uses of and methods of electronic production. Examine usage as currently employed by major on-line publications. Conceptualize ideal uses and how they may evolve. - 60 points

Midterm - Designed to ensure functional knowledge of HTML programming and basic web usage and terminology. - 50 points

Personal Home Page (final project) - 35 points

Practicum in Electronic Publishing (bonus) this segment involves committing a total of five hours per quarter assisting with the production of the electronic editions of the The Pioneer newspaper or Pioneer advertising. There will be several varied areas of participation and students will gain experience in publication, editing, marketing, programming and graphic preparation. - 20 points

Class Participation - 30 points (includes in-class projects)

Projects are due at the designated times unless prior arrangements are made or documented instances of illness or hardship occur. [top]