General+Course+Information

=**New Media Studies**= =**General Course Information**=


 * Course Overview:** This elective course focuses on media in the digital age. As a student in the class, you will be expected to produce new media such as videos and blogs and also use social media tools. We will discuss a broad variety of topics related to new media including how Web 2.0 has influenced politics and changed how we communicate. As a technology course, we will learn about the underlying technologies that make new media possible. This course will begin with a brief history of media and the Internet in order to provide context to future discussions.


 * Classroom Time**: In general, we will introduce and discuss a new topic on new media each Monday during class. On Tuesdays, we will explore the underlying technologies related to the week’s topic. On Thursdays, each student will share the results of homework assignments relating to the week’s topic. Fridays will be left open for further discussion, project time, and other topics.


 * Supplies**: There is no text book for this class. However, it is assumed that all students have access to a computer to complete homework assignments.


 * Homework:** Homework will be assigned on Tuesdays and/or Fridays. Since there is no class on Wednesdays, you will always have at least two evenings to complete your homework. Since most homework will facilitate classroom discussion on the day it is due, late homework will not be accepted.


 * Blogging:** You will be required to write __two__ blog entries on the technology section of [|WA Mash] during the trimester. You will choose when you write and on what topic. The topics must be related to new media and must be approved by Mr. Rosen prior to being written. A good place to start is any of the topics we discussed in class or any news articles on new media that you encounter. The blog entries should present some new idea or position on the topic. It should not simply be a replay of topics discussed in class.


 * Short Film Project:** Digital video has made it possible for almost anyone to produce a professional short film or video. During the trimester, we will use some of class time to make and edit a short film.


 * Research Project:** At the end of the trimester, you will be required to complete a research project using Twitter as a human search engine.


 * Honesty Policy:** Student collaboration on the short film project is encouraged. However, collaboration on homework, blog entries, and the research project will be met with disciplinary action (see Student Handbook).


 * Participation**: Many of our classes will be group discussions. In some cases, the topics will be student-led based on homework assignments. All students are required to participate in all class discussions by asking questions, adding comments, and sharing homework.


 * Grading**: Your final grade will be based on a combination of class participation, homework, and other new media that you produce as follows:

10% Class Participation 25% Homework Assignments 20% Blog Entries 15% Short Film Project 30% Twitter Research Project


 * Class Attendance:** Attendance at all classes is mandatory. Any work (homework, projects) missed because of an unexcused absense will result in a grade of 0 on that assignment. If an absence is excused, the student must see Mr. Rosen the day they return to classes so that a date and time for make-up work may be arranged.


 * Going Paperless**: This is a paperless class. You will not be handed anything printed on paper and will not hand in anything on paper. We will use the many tools available to us (wikis, blogs, e-mail) instead.