Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, a student will be able to:

1. Interpret the meanings of specific forms of media using common methods of media criticism.

2. Evaluate media representations of social groups and social institutions for their ideological themes.

3. Apply media literacy concepts and skills to the planning of ethical media messages.

4. Integrate social and behavioral theory and research into the analysis of the audience's role in media literacy.

5. Assess the quality of information presented in truth-based media through verification and fact-checking methods.

Instructor Contact Information

I'm Malcolm Cecil, the instructor for this course.  Once we get started in our course, please contact me through the Inbox function of CANVAS, our online learning management system.  For information about how to access the course through CANVAS, read the Online Course Information below. 

Dr. Malcolm Cecil

Office: AX 172, Creative Arts Extension Bldg.

Voice: (415) 239-3269

Email: mcecil@ccsf.edu

I will respond to communication within 48 hours from Monday to Friday, exclusive of holidays. 

Course Registration, Waitlist, Adds and Drops

Wait List Information

All online courses use waitlists. The waitlist is in the MyRAM portal (where you register for classes). As space becomes available in the class, students are notified through their CCSF email that they may add the course. When the class begins, the waitlist will go offline. If you still want to join the class, please follow the procedure in the section below about 'Adding an Online Class after Open Registration'. 

There's more information on the CCSF website Wait List Information Page.

Adding an Online Class after Open Registration

 Beginning  on the first day of instruction, if you want to add a class whether it has space or is full,  you can submit a Class Add Request in your myRAM Portal.

 Please email me at mcecil@ccsf.edu to let me know you have requested to add. Include the following information: 

• The name of the class you'd like to add including whether it is online or in person

• Your name and student number

• A SPECIFIC EXPLANATION OF WHY YOU WANT TO TAKE THE COURSE THAT REFERENCES THE COURSE DESCRIPTION (very important, I won't consider adding you without a personal message). 

If you include the above information in your email AND I have space in the class, I may approve you to add the course and you will be notified through your CCSF email.  If you don't include the information I will not consider adding you to the class. 

 You must then add the class in your myRAM Portal. There's more information on the CCSF website Add/Drop Procedure page.

Once you are registered in the course, if you don't log in within the first two weeks of instruction and do some significant work, such as take a quiz, submit an assignment or participate in a discussion, I will have to DROP you from the course. Please get started as soon as you can!

Online Course Information

BCST 101 is offered on Canvas, CCSF's online learning software. To use Canvas, students must log in using their RAM ID. All students at CCSF have a RAM ID, but you must 'claim' it (activate it for the first time) before you can use Canvas. Here's how to claim your RAM ID and how to log into Canvas. If you have a problem with your RAM ID login, you can contact the ITS Helpdesk at 415-239-3711 or Toll-Free at 844-693-4357. If you have already claimed your RAM ID, log in to Canvas. Remember, the course will not be available until the first day of instruction.

Once the course begins we will release new content each week. This is not a self-paced course, so you will be busy all semester.  A new week will open on Sunday and will stay open until the next Sunday evening at 11 pm. There will be mid-week deadlines for discussion assignments on Thursdays at 11 pm. We encourage you to do the readings and assignments early in the week, so that you don't run out of time when things are due .

There will be a discussion forum, a quiz and an assignment due most weeks.  The assignments include critical essays, online group discussions and activities,  and quizzes and exams.  

You can expect to spend about 9 hours per week in this course. You will need to have access to your computer throughout the week to do readings, assignments and quizzes. You must have an up-to-date operating system and web browser to participate in this course. 

Resources to help you succeed

You can read research based advice about  "Succeeding in Online Classes" and find additional resources on the Distance Learning Department student resources page. 

Students who need academic accommodations should request them from Disabled Student Programs and Services (DSPS) located in the Rosenberg Library Room 323. Telephone: 415.452.5481 (V), 415.452.5451 (TTY). DSPS is responsible for verifying and assessing disability-related need for academic accommodations and for planning accommodations in cooperation with students and instructors as needed and consistent with course requirements.