Lee University Syllabus for Fall 2005

TCM 235 – Broadcast Techniques

INSTRUCTOR: Mary Phillips Dukes         DC-102: Sec. A: T - R 1:10 to 2:25pm

Sec. B: M - W 3:00 to 4:15pm

EXTENSION: 8225                                     OFFICE: Dixon Center 101D

OFFICE HOURS:  MWF 11:00 – 12:00pm, MW 2:00 – 3:00pm; R 2:30 – 4:00pm

TEXT:                        Gross, L. & Ward, L. (2004). Digital Moviemaking. 5^th Edition. Wadsworth: Belmont, CA.

UNIVERSITY MISSION STATEMENT:

Lee University seeks to provide education that integrates biblical truth as revealed in the Holy Scriptures with truth discovered through the study of the arts and sciences and in the practice of various professions.  A personal commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is the controlling perspective from which the educational enterprise is carried out.  The foundational purpose of all educational programs is to develop within the student’s knowledge, appreciation, understanding ability and skills which will prepare them for responsible living in the modern world.

CATALOG DESCRIPTION:

An introduction to basic principles and terminology associated with television and radio. The content includes laboratory experience with lecture, demonstration and production requirements to cover technical and creative aspects of electronic media.  Prerequisites: COM 201, TCM 230.  4 hours credit.  Includes a one-hour lab ($25 fee).

I.          PURPOSE:  

This course will provide exposure to the two most pervasive areas of mass communication: television (video) and radio (audio). Before successfully communicating through these media, the student must learn what production elements there are, and what each element can and cannot do. The main thrust of this course is in the area of production. The knowledge and techniques learned in this course are the foundation for more advanced production courses and will provide the skills necessary for employment in the broadcast industry.

II.          OBJECTIVES OF COURSE:

A.        General Learning Objectives

This course seeks to:

1.         Introduce students to the equipment and techniques used in the electronic media.

2.         Provide an overview of the capabilities of broadcast equipment.

3.         Provide hands-on training with audio and video equipment.

4.         Explain the basic language and terminology of radio/television.

5.         Provide opportunities for developing the creative skills needed for work in the broadcasting field.

6.         Survey the ethical concerns of production in the electronic media.

B.        Specific Behavioral Objectives

As a result of the activities and study in this course, the student should be able to:     

1.         Identify basic production equipment in both audio and video formats.

2.         Demonstrate proficiency in basic audio production.

3.         Demonstrate proficiency in basic (one-camera) television production.

4.         Discuss production using proper broadcast vocabulary and terminology.

5.         Discuss practical usage of production skills.

6.         Explain the ethical considerations of broadcast production.

III.         TOPICS TO BE COVERED:

A. Audio terminology

B. Basic audio production equipment

C. Basic visual production terminology

D. Video camera functions

E. Basic lighting concepts (single-camera applications)

F. Pre-production responsibilities and preparation

G. Ethical issues in broadcast production

H. Introduction to basic linear editing

IV.        INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES:

A. Lectures by the instructor

B. Small group and individual lab exercises

C. Classroom discussions

D. Individual production assignments

E. Analysis of audio/video examples

F. Guest speakers from production field

V.        RESPONSIBILITIES OF STUDENTS:

A. Readings from the textbook

B. Production assignments

C. Participate in classroom discussions

D. Exams

E. Small group projects

F.  Analyze production examples

VI.        EVALUATION:

A. In-class/lab production exercises

B. Examinations

C. Class participation

D. Outside production assignments

E. Production analysis reports

Attendance and Tardies: Class attendance is required.  Arrive on time!  Late arrivals are not tolerated in the broadcast industry and will not be tolerated in this course.  Excessive tardiness and/or absences will lower your participation grade.  (2 free absences allowed but not encouraged.)  All assignment deadlines must also be met.  No late assignments will be accepted or make-ups allowed without the prior agreement of the instructor.  In most cases such an agreement will require a doctor’s excuse or that you have had a personal emergency.

GRADE PERCENTAGES GRADING SCALE

            EXAMS                                              30%                            A = 90 - 100

            PROJECTS                                       30%                            B = 80 - 89

            FILM ANALYSES                             15%                            C = 70 - 79

            LAB EXERCISES                            15%                            D = 60 - 69

            CLASS PARTICIPATION                10%                            F = 59 and below

VII.       STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:

Lee University is committed to the provision of reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities as defined in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.  Students who think they may qualify for these accommodations should notify their instructor immediately.  Special services are provided through the Academic Support Program.

VIII.      ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:

As a Christian community of scholarship, we at Lee University are committed to the principles of truth and honesty in the academic endeavor.  As faculty and students in this Christian community, we are called to present our academic work as an honest reflection of our abilities; we do not need to defraud members of the community by presenting others’ work as our own.  Therefore, academic dishonesty is handled with serious consequences for two fundamental reasons: it is stealing – taking something that is not ours; it is also lying – pretending to be something it is not.  In a Christian community, such pretense is not only unnecessary, it is also harmful to the individual and community as a whole.  Cheating should have no place at a campus where Christ is King because God desires us to be truthful with each other concerning our academic abilities.  Only with a truthful presentation of our knowledge can there be an honest evaluation of our abilities.  To such integrity, we as a Christian academic community are called.

IX.        SUGGESTED READING LIST

Ascher, S., Pincus, E., Keller, C. and Brun, C. (1999). The Filmmaker's Handbook : A Comprehensive Guide for the Digital Age (Rev. Ed.). Plume.

Donald, Ralph. (2000).  Fundamentals of Television Production. Iowa State University Press.

Hart, John. (1999). The Art of the Storyboard: Storyboarding for Film, TV and Animation. Butterworth-Heinemann.

Hausman, Carl. (1996). Modern Radio Production (4^th Ed.). Wadsworth: Belmont, CA.

Havice, Michael J. (1999). Basic Laboratory Exercises for Field, Audio and TV Studio Production. Iowa State University Press.

LaBarge, Ralph. (2001). DVD Authoring and Production.  CMP Books.

Lyver, Des and Swainson, G. (1999). Basics of Video Lighting. Focal Press.

Miller, Pat P. (1998). Script Supervising and Film Continuity. Focal Press.

Musburger, Robert. (1999). Single-Camera Video Production. Focal Press.

Noronha, Shonan. (2003). Opportunities in Television and Video Careers.  VGM Career Books.

Pintoff, Ernest. (1999). Directing 101. Michael Wiese Productions.

Shyles, Leonard. (1998). Video Production Handbook. Houghton-Mifflin: Boston.

Utz, Peter. (1999). Studio and Camcorder Television Production. Prentice Hall.

THE INSTRUCTOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ADJUST THIS SYLLABUS THROUGHOUT THE SEMESTER AS NECESSARY.