MC 5332 #39763 – Sect 251
Most announcements and grading will be delivered through TRACS (http://tracs.txstate.edu). You will need your Texas State NetID and password to access the TRACS site.
Required Textbook
No required textbook. There will be online readings and handouts.
Teaching Methods
This class is a group experiential learning project. It will be mostly self-directed. We will agree on some general responsibilities and objectives, but the students will be expected to work autonomously. We will have regular meetings via Skype on Thursdays at 5:30pm, and then extensive activities during SXSW.
For Skypes, please arrange to be in a quiet place, on a computer (laptop or desktop) with webcam and a strong Internet connection.
Grading
Since this project is mostly self-directed, grading will be less specific than other classes, and some portion will be peer-reviewed. But to give you an idea of what I will be reviewing, here is a basic breakdown.
Preliminary Work – previews, where are they now, news, Top 5’s etc. – 30%
Coordination of your responsibility area (design, social, mobile, multimedia, text) – 20%
Participation at the event/quality of content produced – 20%
After SXSW followup, presentation – 20%
Regular participation – Skypes, meetings – 10%
Peer Evaluation will contribute to grade in each of these areas.
Email
You must use an active Texas State email account. Communication via TRACS uses your Texas State email, and the university is required to send grade information out only through the Texas State email system. Make sure you check your email on a regular basis, as schedule changes will be communicated there as well as on TRACS.
We will also set up a What’s App that we can all use to communicate in a text group. This will be helpful during the event.
Late Assignments and Attendance
Since this class is different than other regular classes, and you were selected for your competencies and skills, you must attend or participate in all required meetings and events.
Supplies and Equipment
If you have a laptop, you will be expected to use it during SXSW. Using a smartphone is recommended. Accommodations for other equipment may be made.
Student Conduct
In this class and at the event, you should feel comfortable to participate and express opinions and ideas. Please respect the opinions of others and be considerate of their need to contribute and learn. In general, please be respectful of others desire to learn and help to create a fun and beneficial environment.
Students are expected to represent the program appropriately in all situations.
Social Media Presence
Students participating in this project have been selected as an elite group to represent our program. Many people will be looking at your social media accounts, and you will want to connect with your new contacts to develop your network. Students in this project must conduct themselves in an appropriate manner on all social media accounts (including private accounts) at all times during the course of this project. This includes use of inappropriate language and excessive negativity. In addition to what you are NOT supposed to do, students are expected to use social media effectively. You will be tweeting about SXSW using our hashtag #sxtxstate. You should tweet about relevant links and make appropriate connections and interactions. Pay careful attention to the tone and content of your posts. Your social media presence will reflect on our university, program and future students. Please be respectful of that responsibility.
All student work associated with this project will be displayed on the Web, which means that it will be available to anyone with Internet access.
Dropping a Course
Once you accept the requirements and obligations of this course, you may not drop unless there are very unusual and unexpected circumstances. We are relying on this group to represent us at SXSW. Talk to the instructor immediately, If you encounter any issues that would prevent you from fulfilling your responsibilities.
Academic Honesty
Students are required to submit original work in this course unless otherwise specified in the assignments. This includes text, content, graphics and photography.
The School of Journalism and Mass Communication commits itself to the preparation of mass media professionals and scholars. Such a mission demands the highest standards of academic honesty and integrity. Violations of academic honesty, including but not limited to plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration, collusion, deception, conflict of interest and theft, are not tolerated and can lead to severe penalties. Disciplinary actions for violations of the standards for academic honesty are outlined in the Texas State Academic Honesty Statement, printed each year in the Student Handbook. The policy is also available at http://www.dos.txstate.edu/handbook/rules/honorcode.html.
Note to Students with Disabilities
Texas State University seeks to provide reasonable accommodations for all qualified individuals with disabilities. This university will adhere to all applicable federal, state, and local laws. Students with disabilities who need special accommodations should contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS) at (512) 245-3451, and register with that office. ODS is located in Suite 5-5.1 at the LBJ Student Center. If you are a student with a disability certified by ODS and you require accommodations in this class, it is your responsibility to notify the professor no later than the fifth class day of this semester so that accommodations can be discussed and promptly provided.
Instructor may notify you of changes or updates to policies in this syllabus throughout the semester.
SXSW Tweets
Tweets by @sxsw