Course Syllabus

GMCS 546 6R1 Fall 2015 Course Syllabus

Date Prepared: 6/24/15

GMCS 546: New Media and Information Management 6R1 08/27/2015 – 12/10/2015

3 Semester (Credit) Hours

Fall 2015

Lecture: 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM,  Mandeville Hall, Room 321 

Instructor:

                   Dr. Regina A. Gibson, D. Sc.

                   Adjunct Professor

                   The College of Public and International Affairs (CPIA)

                   Carlson Hall Room 232

                   Office Phone # 203-576-4157/Cell: 412-370-5639

                   Department Fax # 203-576-4967

                   E-Mail rgibson@bridgeport.edu

 

• Doctorate in Science (D.Sc.)  in Information Systems and Communications, Robert Morris University, Moon Township, PA

• MBA in Management and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

• B.S. in Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA

                      

• Required Readings:

• 1. Alexander, A., Owers, J., Carveth, R., Hollifield, C. A., & Greco, A. N. (Eds.). (2004). Media economics: Theory and practice (3rd ed.). Mahwah, New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

  2. Coombs, W. T., & Holladay, S. J. (Eds.). (2010). The handbook of crisis communication. Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell.
  
  3. Varey, R. J. (2002). Marketing communication: Principles and practice. New York, NY: Routledge.

   

  For further readings, I recommend the Journal of Integrated Marketing Communications: and  Younge, A. J., Periasamy, V., Al-Azdee, M., Hazlewood, W., & Connelly, K. (2011, May). ScaleMirror: A pervasive device to aid weight analysis. Paper presented at the Association for Computing Machinery's Annual Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, Vancouver, Canada. 

• Resources:

                    Appropriate literature sources for topic/project selected (External URL's are permitted to be cited)

                    Microsoft Office to create Word (.doc or .docx documents), .ppt or .pptx PowerPoints, and Excel spreadsheets with statistical tools

                    Internet access with UB Net account, UB email and CANVAS access; Students might also need Youtube, Facebook, Wechat, or Twitter accounts depending on the topic/project and medium selected.

• The class consists of three branches that move simultaneously throughout the semester: 

• 1. Marketing Communication Management: This branch aims at providing a framework for the management of marketing communication by focusing on a planned, integrated approach. It examines the nature, role, and contribution of corporate performance in the context of marketing objectives. It forwards marketing communication as a social process between cultures, the critical mode of management, and the fundamental basis of organized and purposeful work. It considers corporate marketing communication as a management system.

  2. Crisis Communication Management: A primary goal of this branch is to learn how to practice information management in crisis communication. Students will have a collection of various approaches and insights into real world examples of crisis communication, which should inform their work as media practitioners. A secondary goal is to help students learn different approaches to studying crisis communication.

  3. Media Economics Management: This branch aims at examining the process of decision making in media economics through an exploration of such topics as industrial restructuring, regulatory constraints on media operations, and changing economic values. Because the structure and value of media industries have been changing so rapidly, it is important to understand the mechanics of such change so as to provide insight into the processes reproducing contemporary trends in media economics.   

  Course Goals:

                 In this course the student will:

• Analyze and discuss the course materials related to the new media and information management as discussed above

• Associate practice issues and trends with the need for media research

• Carry out a selected project making decisions and implementing plans

• Find an answer to a question through the medium of relevant data and their interpretation

• Share the knowledge gained from his or her research with the instructor and fellow students

  Course Objectives:

   During participation in activities of GMCS 546, the student will:

• Participate in the online discussion board by posting responses to the assigned questions related to the required  readings related to the new media and information management

• Finalize and submit a proposal for a research project

• Generate a literature review to provide supportive documentation for the selected project

• Synthesize the role of scientific literature and other resources in the design and implementation of a research project

• Develop and document  the methodology for the research project

• Assess the research process and outcomes

• Draft, finalize and submit written documentation of the project (power point and final research report) via email or Canvas to the course instructor

• Deliver an oral presentation documenting the GMCS  research project 

  Course Guidelines:

   Students are expected to meet all posted deadlines and per academic standards committee policy, a grade of C or higher is required to pass this course.  Any student who earns a C- or lower must repeat the course.

• Students are responsible for submitting assignments in CANVAS,  accessing CANVAS course content (viewing material posted in the CANVAS MODULES),  and sending email communication when necessary by using their UB Net email accounts and their UB email addresses, General questions about the course can also be submitted using CANVAS (through PEOPLE). Submitting assignments by email is not recommended, except for extreme difficulty in submitting through CANVAS. 

• Participate in the class discussions and show respect and consideration to all when they express themselves in discussion

• Students must meet mid-term and final deadlines. The Project Proposal Report  (Chapters.1,2, and 3) is assigned for submission in order to be reviewed by mid-term, so that subsequent revisions can be made.The Project Proposal Report, with modifications made for work completed, along with Chapters 4 and 5, which are completed in the second half of the semester, become part of the final report.

• Complete all weekly assignments by the mid-term and final deadlines. All assignments are due the day before the course lecture day at midnight EST, but there is no late penalty EXCEPT FOR THE MID-TERM and FINAL deadlines. At those times, students will be graded according to the number of points recorded in their CANVAS GRADEBOOKS. Assignments can be submitted in advance, but might not be graded until the week after their due date. 

• Submit work only in Microsoft Office Word  format (.doc or .docx documents).

• Keep a backup of all work on the project.

   

  Course Evaluation (Subject to change according to circumstances)

  1. Research Project Progress Assignments

  Research Exercises – 40%

• All of the following Research Exercises are to be submitted via Assignments in the Canvas Shell

1. Topic Choice due September 2, 2015
2. Research Questions, Variables, and Hypotheses due September 9, 2015
3. Introduction (Chapter 1)  due September 16, 2015
4. Literature Review (Chapter 2) due September 23, 2015
5. Methodology (Chapter 3) due September 30, 2015
6. First EXCEL spreadsheet due  October 21, 2015
7. Second EXCEL spreadsheet due October 28, 2015
8. Third EXCEL spreadsheet due November 4, 2015
9. Results (Chapter 4) due November 11, 2015
10. Discussion and Recommendations (Chapter 5) due November 18, 2015

• Detailed instructions for each Chapter can be found in the ASSIGNMENTS descriptions.

   

  2. Online Participation Assignments -  throughout the semester -40%

• Minimum of 10 weekly discussion comments on the Readings (or video/PowerPoint) via threaded discussion per term required in CANVAS.

• Participation will be graded according to the ASSIGNMENT instructions found in CANVAS for each Discussion assignment. 

   

  3, Project Proposal and Final Report Assignments

  Project Proposal/Final Research Report – 10%

• Project Proposal  (Research Proposal Report) due to course instructor via CANVAS by October 7, 2015

• Final Project (Final Research Report) due to course instructor via CANVAS by December 2, 2015.

• The guidelines and grading criteria for the Final Report can be found in the CANVAS ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTIONS. Follow the guidelines and instructions closely paying attention to the order and content of each section.Expect the final report to be about 15 pages, including the title page and references. This does not include the appendices.Margins are to be 1” on all sides. Follow APA guidelines from the APA Style Manual 6^th ed., unless they conflict with the instructions in CANVAS.

• 4.  Presentation Assignments

• Two PowerPoint Research Project Presentations – 10%

• PowerPoints due to course instructor via CANVAS by October 14 (Project Proposal PowerPoint) and December 9, 2015 (Final Project Report PowerPoint).

• Oral Presentations will be on Thursday, October 15 and Thursday, December 10, 2015.

• Details of these assignments can be found in the CANVAS ASSIGNMENTS instructions.

• Each student must present their completed research proposal  to the class and to the course instructor. 

• EXTRA CREDIT EVENTS: Extra credit (of 10 points each) will be given to students attending events mostly sponsored by  CPIA, the Innovators Series, SASD (School of Design), the Executive Speakers Series (Ernest C. Trefz School of Business), and the Global Affairs Society. The event will be posted as an EXTRA CREDIT THREADED DISCUSSION ASSIGNMENT in CANVAS, and the student must post on this thread, after attending the event, in order to receive his or her points. 

This course is graded on a point system with a total of 1000 points. Students must have 950 points in order to have a grade of "A" at the end of the course. The points for this course will be distributed as follows:

 Course Assignment Schedule (Subject to Possible Changes)

All assignments are due the day before the course lecture day at midnight EST.  Week 1)   No Assignments Due First Day of Class 8/24/15  No Assignment due. Read and print the Syllabus for your use, if possible.                                                                                                      Week 2) Two Assignments Due 8/30: Assignment 2A Discussion Comments on Readings Below (40 points)         Varey,  An Introduction to Marketing Communication         Varey, Chapter 2. A Communication Concept for Communicating         Coombs & Holladay, Chapter 1. Parameters for Crisis Communication           Coombs & Holladay, Chapter 2. Crisis Communication and Its Allied Fields         Alexander et al., Chapter 5. The Economics of the Daily Newspaper Industry                        Assignment 2B Topic Choice for Research (40 points)                                                           Week 3) Two Assignments Due 9/9 :   Assignment 3A Discussion Comments on Readings Below (40 points) :         Varey, Chapter 3. Consumer Behavior and Communication         Varey, Chapter 4. Marketing Communication Ideology         Coombs & Holladay, Chapter 4. US Government Network’s Efforts in             Hurricane Katrina           Coombs & Holladay, Chapter 5. The JetBlue Airways Valentine’s Day           2007 Crisis         Alexander et al., Chapter 6. The Economics of Books and Magazines Assignment 3B Research Paper Questions, Variables, and Hypotheses (40 points)       Week 4) Two Assignments due 9/16:  Assignment 4A Discussion Comments on Viewings Below (40 points)           Viewing:: (a) Diversity PowerPoint (b) Two “Did You Know” YouTube Videos                        Assignment 4B Introduction (Chapter 2) (40 points)                                                                  Week 5) Two Assignments Due 9/23: Assignment 5A Discussion Comments on Readings Below  (40 points)                        Varey, Chapter 5. Managing with Stakeholders in Mind           Varey, Chapter 6. Intercultural Communication         Coombs & Holladay, Chapter 6. The Virginia Tech Shootings             Coombs & Holladay, Chapter 7. Chemical Accidents                 Alexander et al., Chapter 7. The Broadcast Television Networks                    Assignment 5B Literature Review (Chapter 2)  (40 points)                                                Week 6) Two Assignments due 9/30: Assignment 6A Discussion Comments on Readings Below (40 points)                         Varey, Chapter 7. The Marketing Mix as Social Communicator                    Varey, Chapter 8. The Brand Communicator           Coombs & Holladay, Chapter 11. Public Relations Practices of Local             Emergency Managers            Coombs & Holladay, Chapter 12. Elements of Crisis Management                   Plans         Alexander et al., Chapter 8. The Economics of the Cable Industry            Assignment 6B Methodology (Chapter 3) (40 points)                                                        Week 7) Two Assignments due 10/07: Assignment 7A Discussion Comments on Readings Below (40  points)  Varey, Chapter 9. Selecting Media for Communicating                   Varey, Chapter 10. Identity, Image, and Reputation Coombs & Holladay, Chapter 13. Oil Industry Crisis Communication    Coombs & Holladay, Chapter 14. Educational Crisis Management Alexander et al., Chapter 9. The Economics of Hollywood: Money and Media                  Assignment 7B Proposal  (Chapters 1, 2 and 3)  (50 points)                                       Week 8) One Assignment due 10/14: Assignment 8 Research Proposal PowerPoint  (50 points)                                                                    Week 9) Two Assignments due 10/21 Assignment 9A Discussion Comments on Readings Below (40 points)         Varey, Chapter 11. Internal Marketing Communication          Varey, Chapter 12. Relationship Marketing         Coombs & Holladay, Chapter 15. The Federal Emergency            Management Agency (FEMA)         Coombs & Holladay, Chapter 16. Racially Charged Crises                Alexander et al., Chapter 10. The Economics of the Contemporary Radio Industry                                       Assignment 9B EXCEL DATA SHEET 1   (40 points)                                                               Week 10) One Assignment due 10/28 Assignment 10 EXCEL DATA SHEET 2   (40 points)      Week 11) Two Assignments due 11/04 Assignment 11A Discussion Comments on Readings Below (40 points)               Varey, Chapter 13. Integrated Marketing Communication         Varey, Chapter 14. Advertising as Communicating         Coombs & Holladay, Chapter 17. Denny’s Restaurants and Corporate Identity           Coombs & Holladay, Chapter 18. New Media for Crisis Communication         Alexander et al., Chapter 11. The Economics of the Recording Industry                               Assignment 11B EXCEL DATA SHEET 3  (40 points)                                                              Week 12) Two Assignments due 11/11 Assignment 12A Discussion Comments on Readings Below (40 points)         Varey, Chapter 15. Communication Strategies and Objectives         Varey, Chapter 16. Planning, Evaluating, and Controlling the Marketing Communication System and Program         Coombs & Holladay, Chapter 19. Fraud Crises            Coombs & Holladay, Chapter 20. Product Recall Crises         Alexander et al., Chapter 12. The Economics of the Advertising Industry                              Assignment 12B Results Section (Chapter 4) (40 points)                                                         Week 13) Two Assignments due 11/18 Assignment 13A Discussion Comments on Readings Below (40 points)                     Varey, Chapter 17. Professionalism         Varey, Chapter 18. Contemporary Marketing Communication, Corporate Communication, and . . . the Future?         Coombs & Holladay, Chapter 21. The Muhammed Cartoons           Coombs & Holladay, Chapter 22. The 2004 Madrid Bombings and 2005 London Bombings         Alexander et al., Chapter 13. The Economics of Online Media                    Assignment 13B Discussion and Recommendations (40 points)    Week 14) NO WED-SAT CLASSES THIS WEEK NO ASSIGNMENTS DUE THIS WEEK..                                                                                     Week 15) One Assignment due 12/2  Assignment `14: Final Project Paper  (50 points)   Week 16) One Assignment due  12/09  Assignment 15 Final Project PowerPoint (50 points)

 

 

 

 

 

 

INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY

 

This class will utilize the University of Bridgeport’s Canvas Learning Management System (LMS).. Students are provided instruction on the use of Canvas through the online orientation provided by the Distance Learning department prior to the student starting the online program; Wahlstrom Library support and technical staff, and pod casts provided through the Wahlstrom Library website.  Skill reinforcement and assessment are integrated into the various course assignments and exercises. 

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

 

It is the student’s responsibility to familiarize him or herself with and adhere to the standards set forth in the policies on cheating and plagiarism as defined in Chapters 2 and 5 of the Key to UB http://www.bridgeport.edu/pages/2623.asp or the appropriate graduate program handbook.   

CREDIT-HOUR DEFINITION

 

CARNEGIE UNIT OF CREDIT Page 29 UB-Catalog http://bridgeport.edu/files/7913/9302/3461/UB_Catalog_2012-2014.pdf

 

Note: The application of the Carnegie unit of credit has implications for graduation requirements, transfer credit policy, faculty load and for measuring program hours/income. The Carnegie Unit of Credit provides a guideline on the amount of time that an undergraduate is expected to dedicate to a one semester hour course in order to receive one semester hour of academic credit.

 

The University of Bridgeport calibration of the Carnegie Unit of Credit is as follows:  

• Onsite Lecture Classes:

 

To receive one semester hour of academic credit, the student is expected to attend a 50 minute lecture class per week and spend approximately two hours on assignments and study outside of the classroom throughout a fifteen week semester.  

.       Online or Blended Learning Classes

 

Through Blackboard Collaborate or other online tools and blended learning, students would be expected to complete 2.5 hours of activities per week over fifteen weeks to receive one semester hour of academic credit. This would include activities such as reading and responding to posted course materials, discussion board postings, and Skype discussions. 

• Onsite Activity-based Classes:

 

One hour and forty minutes of engagement in discipline-based activity and fifty minutes of study per week throughout fifteen weeks. 

• Clinics, Studios and Laboratory-Based Class: 

2.5 hours of laboratory, clinical or studio activity per week for 15 weeks. 

• Independent Study:  

2.5 Semester hours of study per week over a 15 week Semester. 

• Other Forms of Learning:  

Academic credit based on a demonstration of competency in defined academic outcomes will be the exception and will be based on accepted instruments approved by the Deans and Program Chairs. These can include CLWEP, CLEP tests, or examination of a portfolio by trained academics in the discipline in which the student seeks credit.

 

In all of these learning formats, contact hours and/or study/assignment hours would be increased each week in a summer or concentrated session to assure compliance with unit of credit guidelines.    Approved by University of Bridgeport Senate, November 30, 2010

 

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NEASC required Credit hour information to include in syllabi

 

http://cihe.neasc.org/downloads/POLICIES/Pp111_PolicyOnCreditsAndDegrees.pdf