Professor:  Dr. W.A. Kelly Huff

Office:  Kennedy 111  Phone:  927-7794                        e-mail:  huffwak@peachnet.campuscwix.net

Office Hours:  Monday 2p.m. to 4 p.m./Wednesday 11a.m. to 12 noon/Thursday 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Textbooks:

        Reinard, John C. (2001) Introduction to Communication Research (3rd Ed.).  Boston, MA:  McGraw-Hill.

        Rubin, Rebecca B., Rubin, Alan M., & Piele, Linda J.  (2000).  Communication Research:  Strategies
            and Sources (5th Ed.).  Belmont, CA:  Wadsworth Publishing Company.

Catalog Course Description:  “An introduction to social science research concepts and techniques in the study of
    the mass media.  Survey of quantitative research methods in media situations and media ratings services.
    Prerequisites:  Junior or senior standing, COM 110, MAT 107, ENG 109.”

Course Objective:  Students are acquainted with the literature and research procedures of the field and write
    extensive papers.  Students learn strategies for selecting, refining, and researching communication topics, placing
    special emphasis on using library resources to search for literature and demystifying the research process by
    teaching students library skills, scholarly writing, and providing them with a list of bibliographic sources.

Attendance:  Attendance is mandatory.  (Note:  80% and more of material on exams will be covered in class.)
    Students are responsible for all in-class lecture material and announcements regarding changes in the class schedule.
    Attendance is taken for groups and is counted as part of the grading criteria for reports.  Athletes must leave
    written notice of schedule conflicts at instructor’s office during the first week of class.  All phones, beepers, radios,
    etc. must be turned off before class begins and they will remain off throughout class.  No headphones will be
    allowed during class.

Exam Make-Ups:  Students who miss an exam or an assignment must present a legitimate reason in advance and
    as covered under the same policies that govern final exams; for example, serious illness,* or a University-sponsored
    event,** or a death in one’s immediate family.***  For any of these reasons, the student must present his/her case
    to the instructor in person and in written form with pertinent evidence also provided.  For final exams, you must
    give the instructor notice at lease two weeks prior to the last day of class (actual class and not the final exam time)
    so that the instructor can decide if and/or when the substitute test will be given.  Note that the makeup will cover
    the same material, but will take a different and more difficult form than the exam administered to the rest of the class.
    * Illness:  The student must contact the instructor prior to the exam.  If you are unable to do so, have a friend or RA
    do so.  Note:  Under most circumstances the make-up must be scheduled prior to the next class period or within the
    same week of the exam.  Note also:  you may not take a makeup without an official medical excuse, then verification
    still must be presented to validate.  The legitimacy and validity of the excuse will be determined by the instructor.
    ** University-sponsored event:  Note:  The student must submit a written request to the instructor no less than two
    weeks prior to the event and must complete arrangements to make up the exam in advance.  As stated above, athletes
    must present a written notice to the instructor during the first week of class.
    *** Family death:  Students must contact the instructor prior to the exam or discussion.  The university typically
    verifies that the student must miss class because of a family death.  At the very least, leave a message with the mass
    communication secretary and see the instructor as soon as possible upon your return.

Abstracts, Literature Reviews, Reports, and Papers:  Each assignment will have its own guidelines.  All assignments
    will be typed or word-processed and double-spaced or will receive an automatic grade of “zero.”  You may, however,
    meet with the instructor in person to discuss your absence.  It is possible that an alternative may be reached, but only
    in rare cases and with proper documentation.  No Late Reports will be accepted!  Conditions for each assignment
    will be specified in class.  All assignments must be turned in at the beginning of the very next class meeting!  Not at
    the middle or end or afterward:  NO exceptions!

One Exam:  The exam asks for essay style answers on a pre-printed blue book form.  Blue books are not provided.
    No headphones will be allowed during the exam.

Grading:  Based on the results of three exams of equal value and group discussions/reports. The final grade will be
    computed on the following basis:

    Exam                          30 percent
    Abstracts                    20 percent
    Literature Reviews      20 percent
    Final Paper                 30 percent

Grade Scale:  A = 90 to 100 points, B = 80 to 89, C = 70 to 79, D = 60 to 69, F = 59 and Below

Special Notes:

Students who for some reason cannot take an exam or complete an assignment as scheduled must notify the
instructor in writing no less than two weeks prior to the exam.  Furthermore, the student must get that reason
approved in writing by the instructor.  The same rule applies to group meetings.  Students who have a need for
special accommodations due to any type of disability should schedule an appointment with me within the first
week of the class.  Academic dishonesty penalties and definition are adhered to as outlined in the Student Handbook.