Discipline: Broadcasting Technology (Film/Television) Degree Credit  [X]
Non Credit  [ ]
Nondegree Credit  [ ]
Comm Service  [ ]
 

Riverside Community College District
Integrated Course Outline of Record

Film/Television 41


COURSE DESCRIPTION
41 Introduction to Telecommunications Units: 3.00
 
Prerequisite: None.
 
A survey of electronic media including the history and development of mass media from its beginning in early radio and television to the current period of dynamic change in the telecommunications industry. The course also explores current developments and anticipated trends in telecommunications, including the sociological, technological, and economic implications on society. 54 hours lecture.
 
SHORT DESCRIPTION FOR CLASS SCHEDULE
A survey of electronic media including the history and development of mass media from its beginning in early radio and television to the current period of dynamic change in the telecommunications industry.
 
ADVISORY ENTRY SKILLS
None.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
 Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

1.   Define telecommunications and identify electronic media included 
      under the umbrella of telecommunications.

2.   Differentiate between broadcasting and narrowcasting.

3.   Trace the history and development of telecommunication 
      technology in the last 100 years. 

4.   Analyze the sociological, technological and economic implications 
      of various electronic media on today’s society.

5.   Identify characteristics of the telecommunications industry, 
      including recurring trends.
 
COURSE CONTENT
  TOPICS
 
  1. The impact of telecommunications
    1.  Power of media messages
    2.  Pervasiveness of media
    3.  Implications on society
      1.  Sociological
      2.  Technological
      3.  Economic
  2.  The birth of radio and its golden age
    1.  Early innovators of radio
      1.  Marconi
      2.  Armstrong
      3.  Sarnoff
    2. Earliest uses of wireless
    3.  Programming during radio’s golden age
      1.  Potted palm music
      2.  Role during WW II
      3.  War of the Worlds
      4. Characteristics of radio comedy and drama
      5. Development of advertising
  3.  The emergence and impact of television
    1.  Contrast between birth of television and radio
    2.  Power of visual media
    3.  Early television scandals
  4.  Cable television
    1.  Community antennas
    2.  Threats to broadcast
    3.  Public, education, government channels
  5.  Non-commercial broadcasting
    1.  Origin of non-commercial radio
    2.  Value of non-commercial broadcasting
    3.  Programming emphases
      1.  NPR
      2.  PRI
    4.  Underwriting
      1.  Contrast with advertising
      2.  Threats to non-commercial programming
    5.  Non-commercial television
  6.  New and emerging technologies
    1.  Impact of the internet
    2.  Wireless communication
    3.  Emerging technologies
  7.   Corporate telecommunications
    1.  Education and government
    2.  Business & Industry
    3.  Medicine
  8.  International telecommunications
    1.  Forms of media organization
    2.  Pirate and clandestine media
  9.  Television programming genre
  10.  News and advertising
  11.  Laws, regulation and deregulation

Students are also assigned reading, writing and other outside assignments equivalent to two hours per one hour lecture.
 
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
 Methods of instruction used to achieve student learning outcomes may include, but are not limited to:

  • Presenting lectures and demonstrations to introduce students to the history and implications of media.
  • Showing videos and DVDs that provide visual overview of a broad range of media technology and historical events.
  • Exploring internet websites to gain the most up-to-date information from a range of sources and to give students practice in evaluating the merit of internet sources.
  • Assigning small group cooperative research and presentations that give students an opportunity to locate, organize and present varying points of view  on telecommunication issues.
 
METHODS OF EVALUATION
 Students will be evaluated for progress in and/or mastery of learning outcomes by methods of evaluation which may include, but are not limited to:

  • Quizzes and exams that assess students’ comprehension and retention of content.
  • Individual and small group presentations that demonstrate students’ ability to formulate positions supported by research and to work cooperatively as a team.
ASSIGNMENTS

Required Reading Assignments


Required Writing Assignments


Other Outside-of-Class Assignments
 
COURSE MATERIALS
 All materials used in this course will be periodically reviewed to ensure that they are appropriate for college level instruction. Possible texts include:

  • Gross, Lynne S. . Telecommunications: An Introduction to Electronic Media. 9 ed. McGraw Hill Publisher, 2005.
  • Alexander, A. and Hanson, J. . Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Issues in Mass Media and Society. 9 ed. McGraw Hill Publisher, 2006.
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