Introduction to Radio Broadcasting

Fall 2010 Syllabus

CM 130 Introduction to Radio Broadcasting

3 Credit Hours

Division Humanities

Instructor: John Chapin

Introduction to Radio Broadcasting FALL 2010 Course Number: CM 130 Time & Day: MWF 1:00-1:55 p.m. Location: Room 203 Instructor: John Chapin Office: Room 242, lobby of KVCO station Phone: (800) 729-5101, ext 333 (work) Email: [email protected] Required Materials  Three ring binder  Five audio cassettes COURSE DESCRIPTION: Introduction to Radio Broadcasting serves as a general introduction to students interested in pursuing knowledge of or a career in radio broadcast. The course includes the study of basic practices and procedures of the electronic media. Material covered will include: FCC Rules and Regulations, format identification, marketing, and the typical form and function of a commercial radio station. Each student will have opportunities to gain hands-on experience in production, newsgathering and presenting, and actual on- air announcing. PREREQUISITE: none SEQUENCING: This course is offered during the fall semester EXPECTED LEARNER OUTCOMES: 1. The student will be able to describe the historical evolution of radio broadcasting. 2. The student will demonstrate knowledge of legal and ethical restrictions in the broadcast industry. 3. The student will demonstrate basic work place skills. 4. The student will identify job responsibilities of station personnel. 5. The student will discuss the future of electronic media. 6. The student will explain the importance of audience measurement and feedback on programming format. 7. The student will understand and explain the role of advertising in radio broadcasting. 8. The student will explain the importance of station logs and records. 9. The student will demonstrate knowledge of basic radio equipment and troubleshooting. METHOD OF EVALUATION/GRADING: Students are evaluated in three categories at 25 points each. Those categories include: attendance, unit tests, and on-air performance. There will also be a final exam/project. Students are allowed one excused absence, but after two unexcused absences, a student's grade will be dropped one letter. Daily grades are computed as follows: 100 points are awarded at the start of each semester and 5 points are deducted for each day when expectations are not met. Those expectations are:  On time to class  Fulfilled assigned radio tasks  Exercised good work habits The following grading scale is used when figured letter grades: A = 100 - 90 B = 89 - 80 C = 79 - 70 D = 69 - 60 F = 59 - 0 TEACHING METHODS: Class discussion, lecture, and hands-on instruction in the KVCO studio ASSIGNMENT POLICY: Students are allowed one excused absence, but after two unexcused absences, a student's grade will be dropped one letter. Daily grades are computed as follows: 100 points are awarded at the start of each semester and 5 points are deducted for each day when expectations are not met. COURSE POLICIES ACADEMIC INTEGRITY It is imperative that each student does his/her own work. The following policy will apply to all students in class. Infractions of academic integrity (honesty) shall include:  Using another student’s work without giving the student credit for the work. In other words, taking someone else’s file and placing your name on it and claiming it is yours, using another student’s quiz, or help on a quiz/exam.  Giving another student your file(s) knowing that he/she intends to turn it in as his/her own creation, giving another student your quiz, or help on a quiz/exam. It is not an infraction of the policy to help another student understand how to do an assignment if he/she does the work himself/herself with your assistance. Cheating: “Cheating means getting unauthorized help on an assignment, quiz or examination.” 1. You must not receive from any other students or give to any other students any information, answers, or help during an exam. 2. You must not use unauthorized sources for answers during an exam. You must not take notes or books to the exam when such aids are forbidden, and you must not refer to any book or notes while you are taking the exam unless the instructor indicates it is an “open book” exam. 3. You must not obtain exam questions illegally before an exam or tamper with an exam after it has been corrected. Materials taken from “Academic Dishonesty in Our Classrooms.” Instructional Exchange, 1990, 2 (2), 1-4 (Newsletter available from the Office of University Assessment and Intellectual Skills Program, Western Michigan University) Plagiarism: “Plagiarism” means submitting work as your own that is someone else’s. For example, copying material from a book, the Internet, or another source without acknowledging that the words or ideas are someone else’s and not your own is plagiarism. If you copy an author’s words exactly, treat the passage as a direct quotation and supply the appropriate citation. If you use someone else’s ideas, even if you paraphrase the wording, appropriate credit should be given. You have committed plagiarism if you purchase a term paper or submit a paper as your own that you did not write. PENALTIES FOR INFRACTIONS: There will be absolutely no toleration of any infraction of academic integrity, cheating, or plagiarism. The penalty for committing an infraction will be an automatic 0 and possible "F" in the course. ATTENDANCE POLICY: Attendance is required Attendance is important to the future staffing of KVCO because this is the course in which students are taught the rules and regulations of broadcasting and the proper use and documentation of federal logs. (See Method of Evaluation above) OTHER REQUIREMENTS: Due to the FCC changes in the EBS/EAS monitoring system students will be required to spend several class sessions in the KVCO control room and at the KNCK/KCKS studios to become knowledgeable in its operation. CONDUCT: Appropriate behavior is expected at all times. It is expected that you will be on time to class, remain respectful of self and others, use appropriate language, not speak out of turn, and have cell phones turned OFF or you will be asked to leave. EXAMINATION POLICY: Exams and quizzes must be completed. Absence from any examination must be approved in advance by the instructor and is the responsibility of the student to make up on his or her own time. Any student who misses an examination without prior approval will receive an automatic deduction of ten percent on the exam. INSTRUCTOR ASSISTANCE: I am available for assistance during office hours and upon request. TUTOR ASSISTANCE: Tutors are available in the Learning Skills Center. Contact the Learning Skills Center for more information. INCOMPLETE POLICY: Students will not be given an incomplete grade in the course without sound reason and documented as described in the Student Handbook. The incomplete must be made up with the instructor assigning the incomplete and must be completed the semester immediately following the semester in which the class was taken. Refer to the Student Handbook for a complete explanation. ACADEMIC COMPLAINTS: Cloud County Community College has an Academic Due Process Policy to address any student academic complaints. For any unresolved complaints, the policy can be obtained from the Academic Affairs Office. DEPARTMENT GOALS: 1. The student will demonstrate mastery of information gathering and writing for a variety of situations and audiences. 2. The student will demonstrate proficiency in applying concepts of objectivity, accuracy, and credibility. 3. The student will demonstrate the ability to meet deadlines and produce images and information that meet quality standards. 4. The student will demonstrate the ability to set up an effective advertising campaign and work with prospective clients. 5. The student will demonstrate the knowledge of legal and ethical considerations related to their professions in the mass media. 6. The student will create a portfolio demonstrating skills in writing, photography, design and advertising as a well-rounded journalist. 7. The student will think critically, creatively, and independently. 8. The student will apply tools and technology used in the communication profession in which they work. COURSE GOALS: 1. The student will be able to describe the historical evolution of broadcasting.  Explain how radio is an evasive medium  Review contributions of Maxwell, Marconi, DeForest, and Sarnoff  Discuss birth of the networks  Describe "Conflict in the Air" and formation of the FRC  Describe the importance of the Communications Act of 1934  Analyze the impact of television on radio broadcasting  Explain the "demand" emergence of FM 2. Demonstrate knowledge of legal and ethical restrictions in the broadcast industry.  Describe the role of the Federal Communications Commission  List five common FCC broadcasting rules  Discuss the ramifications of racial, obscene, or slanderous broadcasts  Explain responsibilities and ethics of modern broadcasting  Discuss the effects of social issues on ethical decision-making  Explain audio production laws for copyrighted material  Explain the impact of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 on broadcasting 3. The student will demonstrate basic work place skills.  Respect and meet deadlines  Use positive communication skills  Demonstrate characteristics of a positive self-concept  Respond positively to constructive criticism  Be prepared for and show up on time to class sessions 4. The student will identify job responsibilities of station personnel.  Explain duties of a station Program Director, Sales Manager, and Account Executive  Describe four duties performed by the chief engineer  Design a radio "personnel tree" with job title and level  Contrast duties of an Operations Manager with a Program Director  Describe the cooperation needed to construct a promotion  Name three positions accountable to the Station Manager  Identify primary functions of the General Manager  Discuss necessity of job specialties in a large market 5. Discuss the future of electronic media.  Explain differences between analog and digital signals  Define innovative features of a "smart" receiver  List advancements in home recording and explain impact  Analyze satellites in broadcasting  Describe potential effects of automation on radio station staff 6. The student will explain the importance of audience measurement and feedback on programming format.  Name and review the major rating service for radio  Explain market demographics for a radio station  Define four market influences requiring program adjustment  Explain ways a radio station can research audience measurement and feedback  Explain correlation of format and target audience  List five possible programming formats  Diagram essential elements of programming  Design a program format suited to listeners ages 15-25 7. The student will understand and explain the role of advertising in radio broadcasting.  Explain differences between a commercial and noncommercial station  List three levels from which radio draws sales  Design a rate card for the campus radio station  Define blitz, package, ROS, availability and billing  Prepare and record a "speck" tape  Explain "Co-op" and "Trade Out" advertising 8. The student will explain the importance of station logs and records.  Distinguish between a station log and a transmitter log  Illustrate an acceptable log entry for a monthly EAS test  Explain the significance of power and tower to log entries  Define "Public File"  Tell the "correct" location of a station license  Record three readings taken from the studio meters 9. The student will demonstrate knowledge of basic radio equipment and troubleshooting.  Locate and explain the purpose of the transmitter, antenna, and tower  Describe how the equipment works together to get the station on the air  Distinguish main control room from the production room  Differentiate between types and uses of microphones  Locate a cart player and car recorder  Locate a cassette player/recorder and CD player  Locate the console and identify specific parts  Describe the function of a timer, bulk eraser, cart and monitor  Explain possible solutions to the daily problems in the operation of a radio station ASSESSMENT of COURSE GOALS: Week One:  Programming, WX, production, and Advertising  Responsibilities of Broadcasting - information & entertainment Week Two:  Basic Law  State of the Fifth Estate Week Three:  Test  The Operator  Industry Terms Week Four:  Modulation  More Industry terms  Programming  Production room demonstration Week Five:  Test  Operation Power, Directional AM Stations, Meters  Programming Week Six:  Remote control, Antenna lighting, FM  Quiz over Industry terms  Productions Week Seven:  Station Identification, Documents, Logs, Related topics  Basics of EAS - control room  Production Week Eight:  Research  Father of Radio research project Week Nine:  Research  Father of Radio projects  Radio Static  Assign 15-minute news feature Week Ten:  News  Work on news feature project Week Eleven:  Work on news feature project Week Twelve:  Explain station personnel  Physical layout of a radio station Week Thirteen:  Work on news feature project Week Fourteen:  Social effects of certain programming Week Fifteen:  Meteorology  Work on news feature project (Due next week) Week Sixteen:  Future of Electronic Media  Review EAS, Wx. Logs  Turn in Final projects Week Seventeen:  Q/A session  Discuss and Review Final Projects  Schedule broadcasts for finals week ACCOMMODATION FOR DISABILITY: If you need academic adjustments for any type of disability, see your instructor during office hours or make an appointment. Students also may contact the Director of Advisement and Counseling, located in the Advisement Center. INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY: In case of extremely severe weather, the college may close. The following radio and TV stations will be notified: KNCK 1390 AM Concordia KCLY 100.9 FM Clay Center KREP 92.1 FM Belleville KHCD 89.5 FM Hutchinson KVSV 1190 AM Beloit KSAL 1150 AM Salina WIBW (TV) Chan. 13 Topeka KWCH (TV) Chan. 12 Wichita KOLN (TV) Chan. 10 Lincoln, NE Notification will also be placed on the internet at www.cancellations.com. A text message will also be sent out on the Emergency Text Messaging System for the students who have signed up for it. Students should call the switchboard at 800-729-5101 or 785-243-1435 if they are unable to attend class due to hazardous conditions. Night class and off campus class cancellations are left to the discretion of the instructor. EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE: When alarms are sounded or crisis conditions arise, you will be instructed to move to a designated safe area or to remain in the classroom until the crisis has passed. If you are informed to leave the room, take as many of your personal belongings as time permits. Cell phones and other electronic devices are only to be used once you arrive in the safe area outside the building. Students requiring special assistance will be the responsibility of the instructor or staff person. Systems of alert for tornado or bomb threat: PA system, phone, or staff interruption of class. In case of fire, the alarm will sound. If directed to leave the building, evacuate to the soccer field unless an alternate safe location has been designated.