Course Syllabus
Contact Information
Instructor Name: Dr. Meta G. Carstarphen, APR
Official Title: Professor & Gaylord Family Professor
Department Public Relations Area
Office Hours: Weds. 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Virtual) GRAD STUDENTS: Fridays 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Phone: (405) 325-5227
Email: mcarstarphen@ou.edu
VIRTUAL Office Hours: WEDNESDAYS/10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Central)
Zoom link: 🚩 https://oklahoma.zoom.us/j/94451609412?pwd=YVVvS1Y5Sk9HV1hVblF6ZU43MHExZz09
Meeting ID:🚩944 5160 9412
Password: 🚩66084537
Course Details
For a list of course activities, scroll to the bottom of this page.
Course Prerequisites
Junior Standing and at least 12 Journalism and Mass Communication credits OR permission of the instructor. No student may earn credit for both 4853 and 5853.
Course Materials
We will use one textbook: Race, Gender, Class and Media, 3rd edition, by Sharon Bramlett-Solomon & Meta G. Carstarphen. All quizzes and discussions will be based on this textbook. See additional information in the RESOURCES: Course Materials page.
Grades
Breakdown
Here is a breakdown of graded items and the points/percentage associated with each activity:
| Activity | Description | Points |
|---|---|---|
WEEKLY DISCUSSION POSTS |
Weekly topics that reflect on textbook subjects, contemporary media, and/or historic events |
300 (30%) |
WEEKLY SOCIAL MEDIA "CALL AND RESPONSE" ONLINE POSTS |
Using our class hashtag, #rgcmtalkback22, you will make two weekly posts on Twitter--1 reflecting original content and another reflecting a response to a classmate's post. |
150 (15%) |
PERSONAL REFLECTIONS |
These individual writing assignments invite students to use some of the concepts of the class and explore personal relevance. |
100 (10%) |
| MULTIMEDIA INTERVIEWS | Students get to conduct two(2) Interviews--you pick your participants who meet the criteria. Use these opportunities to make connections between course content and real-life conversations. |
200 (20%) |
| MEDIA DIVERSITY RESEARCH ASSIGNMENTS | Using "content analysis" techniques, students will examine live, current media portrayals in advertising and TV news to analyze where diversity might be missing or present in what we watch. |
100 (10%) |
| UNIT EXAMS/QUIZZES | Every assigned chapter will have a 10-question, timed quiz. |
100 (15%) |
| FINAL EXAM | Instead of a test, you will submit one end-of-the-semester essay that will allow you to reflect upon your student experience and reflections about "cultural competence." |
50 (5%) |
| Total |
1,000 (100%) |
Scale
The grading scale for all of the individual assignments is equivalent to a 100-point scale as follows. [NOTE: Points will be weighted according to the overall points in the specific assignment]:
A = 100 to 90 points [90-100%]– Excellent; Great writing and consistent submissions
B = 89 to 80 points [89-80%]– Good
C = 79 to 70 points [79-70%]– Basic, with some weaknesses
D = 69 to 60 points [69-60%] – Poorly done
F = 59 points and lower [ 59 & Below]– Below standards
Overall Course Grades/Points
A = 1000 to 900 points [100 to 90]
B = 899 to 800 points [89 to 80]
C = 799 to 700 points [79 to 70]
D = 699 to 600 points [69 to 60]
F = 599 and below [59 and below]
- My grading system is points & percentage-based, and the points I assign correlate approximately to letter grades.
- Assignment groups will contribute to overall grades according to the percentages indicated.
- I don’t add curves or make-up assignments to substitute for assigned work. I will calculate your mid-term and final grades by simply adding up the points and seeing where they fall on the overall scale.
Course Components
1. WEEKLY DISCUSSION POSTS (15 Total)
These posts will change topics every week and ask you to reflect on textbook subjects, contemporary media, and/or historic events. Each post should include 350 words (minimum), at least 1 embedded link, and at least one graphic (photo/image). These assignments are designed to allow individual responses to the course topics while encouraging us to build an online community by reading and responding to opinions offered by our fellow classmates. 🚩
2. WEEKLY SOCIAL MEDIA "CALL AND RESPONSE" ONLINE POSTS (32 Total). Using our class hashtag, #rgcmtalkback22, you will make two weekly posts on Twitter--1 reflecting original content and another reflecting a response to a classmate's post.
3. PERSONAL REFLECTION (2 Total). These individual writing assignments invite students to use some of the concepts of the class and explore personal relevance.
4. MULTIMEDIA INTERVIEWS (2 Total). Students get to conduct two(2) Interviews--you pick your participants who meet the criteria. Use these opportunities to make connections between course content and real-life conversations.
5. MEDIA DIVERSITY RESEARCH ASSIGNMENTS (2 Total). Using "content analysis" techniques, students will examine live, current media portrayals in advertising and TV news to analyze where diversity might be missing or present in what we watch.
Exams:
UNIT EXAMS/QUIZZES [WITH 2 ADDITIONAL EXTRA-CREDIT OPTIONS. Every assigned chapter will have a 10-question, timed quiz.
FINAL EXAM. Instead of a test, you will submit one end-of-the-semester essay that will allow you to reflect upon your student experience and reflections about "cultural competence."
Course Policies
Communication
I will rely heavily on the class CANVAS site to post class information, announcements, grades, and updates.
I will also send short text messages via the REMIND app when needed about class activities, deadlines, and other reminders. I urge you to follow the instructions on CANVAS about how to sign up for free for our class group.
When you text me on REMIND, I will be available from 8 am to 8 pm, Mondays through Saturdays. I will strive to return your message within 1 hour after your text. Sundays are my personal days. If you send me a text on Sundays, please allow 24 hours for a response.
Two Class Rules:
There are two rules for this class that will be vital for the success of this class.
- #1--The first rule is to listen to everyone’s point-of-view, even if you do not agree. We do this by paying attention to others, avoiding distracting side conversations, and asking someone to clarify his or her position if we are not clear about what is being said.
- #2--The second rule is to stay in the conversation no matter how emotional you may feel at any given time. Do not mentally “check out” because of your feelings. You will be surprised and pleased that you hung in there.
Late Policy
Deadlines & Late Assignments
This is an online class and you will be able to do many of the individual assignments at your own pace—especially Chapter readings and quizzes. However, to help you to plan your time successfully in this class, I have labelled the class modules, or learning segments, with dates that align with our current semester. In this way, you can pace yourself through the work as you might if this class met in-person.
Major assignments—both individual and group—will have firm deadlines. Through the grade book settings on CANVAS, you might automatically get 10 percent of total possible points deducted for late assignments up through a four-day window. After 4 days late, you will automatically receive a “zero.”
**IMPORTANT: Do not send assignments to me via email or as an attachment to a text message unless I specifically request you to do so. I will not be able to grade anything outside of the Canvas environment.
Grievances and Contesting a Grade
I am always willing to discuss a grade with a student. We will schedule an appointment to meet and discuss, but I ask for at least a 48-hour “cooling off” period after you’ve received a grade before we do so. If you believe I’ve made a mistake, please send me a written explanation [via REMIND text OR OU Email at directly to mcarstarphen@ou.edu] of what you think is an error, why you think something is incorrect, and how you believe the error can be corrected.
Make-up Policy
There are no substitutes for missed assignments—please don’t ask. However, any student should reach out to me directly to make up for missed points, low grades, or to just add on to your overall points total. If you have circumstances that qualify under the university policies for a make-up [i.e., death in the family; university-approved activity], let me know.
Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication—National Accreditation Standards (CVCs)
All Gaylord students who graduate from our program should be aware of certain core values and competencies (CVCs). Not all CVCs apply to every course. But, overall, each student should be to:
CVC1. Understand and apply the principles and laws of freedom of speech and press, for the country in which the institution that invites ACEJMC is located, as well as receive instruction in and understand the range of systems of freedom of expression around the world, including the right to dissent, to monitor and criticize power, and to assemble and petition for redress of grievances.
CVC2. Demonstrate an understanding of the history and role of professionals and institutions in shaping communications.
CVC3. Demonstrate an understanding of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and, as appropriate, other forms of diversity in domestic society in relation to mass communications.
CVC4. Demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of peoples and cultures and of the significance and impact of mass communications in a global society.
CVC5. Understand concepts and apply theories in the use and presentation of images and information.
CVC6. Demonstrate an understanding of professional ethical principles and work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity.
CVC7. Think critically, creatively and independently.
CVC8. Conduct research and evaluate information by methods appropriate to the communications professions in which they work.
CVC9. Write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications professions, audiences and purposes they serve.
CVC10. Critically evaluate their own work and that of others for accuracy and fairness, clarity, appropriate style and grammatical correctness.
CVC11. Apply basic numerical and statistical concepts.
CVC12. Apply tools and technologies appropriate for the communications professions in which they work.
University Academic Policies and Student Support
Course Catalog
Search the OU Course Catalogue.
Student Handbook
Please familiarize yourself with the OU Student Handbook.
Online Library
Access digital materials and other resources at OU Libraries.
Academic Misconduct
In addition to the course conduct policies outlined by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Student Handbook.
It is the responsibility of each student to be familiar with the definitions, policies, and procedures concerning academic misconduct. The Student Code is available from the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, and is contained in the Student's Guide to Academic Integrity.
This site also defines misconduct, provides examples of prohibited conduct, and explains the sanctions available for those found guilty of misconduct.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the most common form of academic misconduct at OU. There is basically no college-level assignment that can be satisfactorily completed by copying. OU's basic assumption about writing is that all written assignments show the student's own understanding in the student's own words. That means all writing assignments, in class or out, are assumed to be composed entirely of words generated (not simply found) by the student, except where words written by someone else are specifically marked as such with proper citation. Including other people's words in your paper is helpful when you do it honestly and correctly. When you don't, it's plagiarism.
For more information about plagiarism, watch this video and then take this short course offered by University Libraries.
Reasonable Accommodation for Disabilities
The University of Oklahoma is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for all students with disabilities. Students with disabilities who require accommodations in this course should contact their professor as early in the semester as possible.
Students with disabilities must be registered with the Disability Resource Center prior to receiving accommodations in this course.
If you have a disability and you would like to make a request for reasonable accommodation, please see the Student Handbook or get in touch with the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center.
Adjustments for Pregnancy/Childbirth Related Issues
Should you need modifications or adjustments to your course requirements because of documented pregnancy-related or childbirth-related issues, please contact me as soon as possible to discuss your options. Generally, modifications will be made where medically necessary and similar in scope to accommodations based on temporary disability. Learn more about the rights of pregnant and parenting students by consulting the FAQ sheets provided by the Institutional Equity Office.
Title IX Resources
For any concerns regarding gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, stalking, or intimate partner violence, the University offers a variety of resources, including advocates on-call 24/7, counseling services, mutual no contact orders, scheduling adjustments, and disciplinary sanctions against the perpetrator. Please contact the Sexual Misconduct Office at 405-325-2215 (8-5, M-F) or OU Advocates at 405-615-0013 (24/7) to learn more or to report an incident.
Religious Holidays
It is the policy of the University to excuse absences of students that result from religious observances and to provide for the rescheduling of examinations and additional required classwork that may fall on religious holidays without penalty. It is the responsibility of the student to make alternate arrangements with the instructor at least one week prior to the actual date of the religious holiday.
Copyright Policy
It is illegal to download, upload, reproduce, or distribute any copyrighted material, in any form and in any fashion, without permission from the copyright holder or his/her authorized agent. The University of Oklahoma expects all members of its community to comply fully with federal copyright laws. If such laws appear to have been violated by any user, the university reserves the right (1) to terminate that user’s access to some or all of the university’s computer systems and information resources and (2) to take additional disciplinary actions as deemed necessary or appropriate. Repeat offenders will be sanctioned and their privileges terminated.
Registration and Withdrawal
If you choose to withdraw from this course, you must complete the appropriate University form and turn the form in before the deadline. If you stop attending the course and doing the coursework without doing the required paperwork, your grade will be calculated with missed homework and examination grades entered as zero. This could result in receiving a grade of F in the course. Deadlines are shown in the Academic Calendar, which is available from the Office of the Registrar.
Student Grievances
In addition to any policies outlined related to submitting an informal or formal grievance by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Student Handbook for more information about the process of submitting a formal grievance.
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REMEMBER….
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|