MEDIA LITERACY 8

COURSE SYLLABUS 2017-2018

TEACHER NAME

MR. NEWBORN

TEACHER E-MAIL

gpnewbor@egusd.net

In Media Literacy 8, students will…

…learn the basics of mass media communication.

…analyze and present info on varied advertisement media.

…review and apply knowledge of logic and rhetoric.  

…analyze and present info on varied entertainment media.

…identify and contest cognitive biases and logical fallacies.

…analyze and present info on varied news media.

…discuss and write about the societal impacts of mass media.

…participate in impromptu speeches and debates.

…discuss, write, rehearse, and deliver high quality presentations.

…hopefully enjoy applying academic analyses to modern media!

Media Literacy 8 Common Core Standards        

Reading Literature and/or Information: Integration of Knowledge and Ideas

RL/RI.X.7

Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse media and formats, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words.

RL/RI.X.8

Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, including the validity of the reasoning as well as the relevance and sufficiency of the evidence.

RL.8.7

Analyze the extent to which a filmed or live production of a story or drama stays faithful to or departs from the text or script, evaluating the choices made by the director or actors.

RI.8.7

Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using different mediums (e.g., print or digital text, video, multimedia) to present a particular topic or idea.

Writing: Research to Build and Present Knowledge

W.X.7

Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects based on focused questions, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.

W.X.8

Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, assess the credibility and accuracy of each source, and integrate the information while avoiding plagiarism.

W.X.9

Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.

Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration

SL.8.1

Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 8 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.

SL.8.2

Analyze the purpose of information presented in diverse media and formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) and evaluate the motives (e.g., social, commercial, political) behind its presentation.

SL.8.3

Delineate a speaker's argument and specific claims, evaluating the soundness of the reasoning and relevance and sufficiency of the evidence and identifying when irrelevant evidence is introduced.

Speaking and Listening: Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas

SL.8.5

Integrate multimedia and visual displays into presentations to clarify information, strengthen claims and evidence, and add interest.

SL.8.6

Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate.

Media Literacy 8 required activities will include…

…practicing quality classroom decorum.

…the Favorite Media Speech.  

…taking detailed accurate notes.

…the Media Literacy Introduction Quiz.  

…taking quizzes and tests of various types.

…the Group Analysis of Entertainment Media—the midterm.

…collaborating in respectful productive group discussions.

…the Group Analysis of News Media—the final.

Grading Details

Although a majority of your grade (well over half) will be determined by the two heavily weighted group presentations you will present for your midterm and final, daily participation during practice assignments and group collaboration will be graded at teacher discretion and should be viewed as essential to preparing and delivering the collaborative presentations that make up a bulk of your grade.  If you don’t do the practice and collaboration—your presentation grades will suffer as a result.

A’s—90-100%

B’s—80-89%

C’s—70-79%

D’s—60-69%

F’s—0-59%

Presentation Days

You will not be allowed to schedule your own presentation days.  Speeches will be presented over the last three or four days of each unit and you must be prepared to speak on any of those days.  The teacher will let you know which days are presentation days as we approach the end of each unit.  Due to high student anxiety and the resulting planned absences (cutting class), you will never know on which presentation day you are expected to present—again, you will be  required to be prepared to speak on all presentation days.  

Absences and Late Presentations

If you are absent on a presentation day, you must see the teacher the morning of your return to reschedule your speech. If you do not reschedule by the end of the speech cycle or the day after your return from your absence, you may only reschedule your speech to happen during finals week for only 75% of the original available points.  

If you are not prepared to speak on the day you are called to present, you may present on the following day for 90% percent of the available points.  If you miss this opportunity, you will present during finals week for 75% of the original available points.

Student Expectations:  Being Safe, Respectful, and Responsible

Attendance:

Attend class daily—the activities we do in this class are impossible to duplicate at home, so they often can’t be made up.  Only miss time in the case of a true emergency.

Always be on time—it is both respectful and responsible.

Materials:  

Always bring a pencil, lined paper, and a binder to class.  Classes do not have time for your irresponsibility.

Classroom Decorum:

Maintain good posture and engaged listening.

Participate to the best of your abilities during all assignments and activities.  No laziness or negativity.

 

Student Collaboration:

Be supportive audience members for your class mates.

Treat all people (students, teachers, and citizens) with respect at all times.

   

I have a zero tolerance policy for disrespectful behavior during speeches—any behavior that in my opinion disrespects a speaker will result in an immediate trip to the office and a parent phone call.  

Think critically—judge ideas, not people.

Computer Usage:

No food or drinks in the computer lab or when we are using chrome books.  Violators will lose computer access for a duration determined by the teacher.  Use school computers only as directed by the teacher.   Unauthorized computer activities will result in a loss of computer privileges for a duration determined by the teacher.