University of Northern Iowa
Department of Communication Studies
Electronic Media Division

48E:003 Introduction to Electronic Production                                                  Spring 2002

Instructor: Dr. Joyce Chen                                              Office Hours: 11:00-12:30pm TTh
Office: 321 LNG                                                                                     1-3pm W
Office Phone: 273-2574                                                                         or by appointment
Class meeting times: Section 1: 9:30-10:45pm TTh 31 LNG

Prerequisites: None

Required Textbook:

Medoff, N.J. & Tanquary, T. (2002). Portable video: ENG and EFP (4^th ed.). Boston: Focal Press.

This course introduces you to the key components of production for the electronic media. The course is designed to give you experience in three areas: basic audio production, basic television production, and computer skills for audio and video production. You will learn the terminology and concepts of production and take part in hands-on exercises through which you develop basic creative production skills in news broadcasting, commercial, and musical video. As this course is one of two component courses needed to declare the Electronic Media major, it is important that you perform well. It is also the prerequisite to all production courses in the major, so it is critical that you master the skills from the class assignments.

Attached is a copy of the revised Lab Rules now in effect. You are expected to abide by all rules governing use of the equipment and facilities. Failure to do so results in the loss of privileges, which prevents you from completing course assignments and passing the course.

You are expected to sign-in at the check-in/out office before using facilities, and sign-out after you have finished your work. Please check the lab hours.

Before using the facilities, you must sign an Equipment Liability Agreement. This states that you take financial responsibility for the equipment you use, which encourages you to treat the equipment in a professional manner.

You must attend all class sessions because teamwork is one of several important criteria for judging your performance in this class. If you have a legitimate reason for missing class, you must notify me prior to the absence. Two or more unexcused absences will result in the loss of one-half letter from your final grade.

"The University of Northern Iowa is an Affirmative Action Equal Opportunity Institution. Students with disabilities and other special needs should feel free to contact the professor privately if there are services or adaptations which can be made to accommodate specific needs."

This course emphasizes the skills in audio and TV production, and computer applications for audio and video. There are a number of short assignments you will do during the semester. You will receive a detailed assignment sheet for each. You will receive a score for each assignment. These will be combined proportionally to arrive at your final course grade. However, if a final course grade is lower than C-, you will need to take this course again in order to meet the major requirement and take higher level production courses.

A list of the assignments and the percentages are shown as follows:

According to the university's rule, any work that you turn in should be your own work done for this class. Plagiarism will result in FAILURE of the course and further DISCIPLINARY ACTION. Plagiarism includes "borrowing" other student's papers, other writer's work, or submitting the work that you did for other courses.

The materials that you'll need for this semester include:

One 3 1/2" computer disk (for CG & teleprompter)

One Zip disk (for saving files of digital audio, graphics, pictures, etc.)

One 60-minute DV tape

One 60-minute audio cassette

The tapes are available for purchase in the check out office and may be paid for with cash, checks, or by charging to your U-bill.

Tentative Schedule: