Types of Assignments
Auto-Graded Assignments (AG) are low-stakes (or “formative”) assessments that allow you unlimited opportunities for full credit.
Writing Assignments (W) require you to engage in critical thinking, analyze concepts, and support your arguments with evidence from reliable sources.
When submitting assignments on Canvas, do not include attachments. Enter responses directly into the space provided.
Spell-check and proofread before posting. Do not use AI generated content unless you are comfortable citing AI as a source (see Policies page).
Write and save your responses in a word processing program like Google Docs, Word, or Pages before posting to assure that you have a backup copy.
The last day to submit any and all assignments is Sunday, June. 15, 2025. I will not accept any assignments after this date.
The Chapter Key Terms & Questions assignments serve as a post-reading assessments. Begin by reading the assigned chapter for each module, and then complete the Chapter Key Terms & Questions assignment. Your task involves identifying key terms and responding to questions related to the chapter. The deadline for submitting Chapter Key Terms & Questions is Friday by 11:59pm.
In each Module, you will have a few assignments related to the subject of that module. These assignments may take various forms, such as writing assignments, media analysis, projects, research, watching videos, or online readings. The deadline for Module Assignments is Sunday by 11:59pm.
In MEDIA 1, you are part of a online community.
Creating a sense of community in an online class is significant and beneficial for several reasons. It's worth noting that building a community requires intentional effort; it does not just happen on its own. We need to create it together.
You will be required to read and comment on your classmate's posts for some module assignments.
While it may be tempting to regard your peer comments as an "adjunct" or "extra" feature of the discussions, they are graded elements of your work and worth quite a few points throughout the semester.
Here are four things you need to know to get full credit on your peer comments; followed by some samples:
Peer Comments are due Sunday by 11:59pm.
Your first comment should be offered on a classmate's discussion post that has not received any comments yet. (If there are any at the time you are posting.)
Please ensure that each peer comment begins with a friendly greeting followed by your classmate's name. For instance, you can start with 'Hi José,' or 'Great post, Danielle.' It is crucial to use their name because, in my Gradebook view, without it, I won't be able to identify which classmate you are addressing. Thank you!
Your comments must be *substantial* and *meaningful*. Thoughtfully consider other people's points of view on various subjects, and interact with them in an intelligent and respectful way. Here are some possibilities to consider for peer comments:
- you may agree and add something new - fully explaining/describing your addition
- you may respectfully disagree and say why - fully explaining your dissent
- you may state that you are "in partial agreement" and explain why
- you may share your own, similar-but-different kind of experience
- you may pose a question for your classmate and explore your own point of view on the subject as well
- you may include links to further information or research
For Peer Comments, always make sure to use proper grammar, capitalization (I instead of i), and punctuation in this college-level course in all correspondence. Your comments should be respectful and kind. It's okay to disagree with something someone says, but make your disagreement respectful and well-reasoned.
Sample Peer Comments for your reference
Example of a Peer Comment that would not get credit:
"Hi Jessica. This was a great post. I can tell you put a lot of thought into it, and I agree with everything you said. Good work!" -K.M.
Example of Peer Comments that would get full credit:
"Hi Anthony! This is an interesting application of the Desensitization Theory in the article we were given. I never considered that Cody could have been desensitized to violence himself, and that it could have increased his volatility towards his parents. Although Fortnite is not a very 'violent' game in my opinion, it could be seen as aggressively competitive, so the same rules would apply. This differs from my interpretation, but I can still understand and agree with how you used it here." -E.J.
"Hey Jiwon. Nice work! I believe that the negative reception of the TV series Dahmer outweighs its disclaimers and 'informative' nature. You raise some excellent points about the families affected by the murders and how their consent was never fully obtained. However, Netflix seemed to overlook its morals in pursuit of delivering an entertaining deep dive into a murderer's mind and thoughts regarding his repulsive actions. I understand both perspectives, but I support the families and feel that they did not deserve to relive that trauma all over again." -J.E.
Every writing assignment in this class will have a rubric. A rubric simply lists the criteria that I am looking for when I assess your work. You must review the rubric and use it to guide your work for that assignment. Here is a sample rubric:
Excellent: Provides an effective analysis that answers all aspects of the prompt and questions. Supports ideas with substantial and relevant examples.
Above Average: Delivers a comprehensive analysis addressing most aspects of the prompt and questions. Supports ideas with relevant examples.
Sufficient: Analysis provided is somewhat brief and/or addresses only certain aspects of the prompt and questions. While the response supports ideas with some relevant examples, a more comprehensive analysis would enhance the overall depth of the response.
Developing: Analysis is present but superficial. Does not sufficiently address all parts of the prompt and questions. Supports ideas with limited examples.
Needs Improvement: Little or no analysis. Limited to no examples. Describes rather than analyzes (lack of in-depth exploration, interpretation, or evaluation). Only answers one part of the prompt and questions. Provides minimal, irrelevant, or insufficient examples.
Exams are open-book/open-notes and are untimed, but you will have only one attempt. Therefore, please study ahead of time.
The Midterm Exam is available from Monday to Sunday during Week 8 in the "Midterm" module, and the Final Exam is available from Monday to Sunday during Week 16 in the "Final" module. Refer to the Schedule page for specific dates.
Both the Midterm Exam and Final Exam consist of 50 multiple-choice and matching questions.
I will email you a study guide for both the Midterm and Final at least one week before their scheduled start dates. The Midterm will cover content from the following modules: Mass Communication, Media Effects, Media Economics, Legal Controls, Culture of Journalism, Advertising, and Public Relations. The Final will cover content from the following modules: Newspapers, Magazines, Movies, Radio, Television, Sound Recording, and the Internet. The Final is not cumulative.