COURSE OVERVIEW: This course provides an overview of the events, institutions, and people who have shaped the media, primarily from the American Revolution to today. We will study the origin and growth of mass media and attempt to integrate the general social and intellectual history of the United States into a story of the press. Goals for this course include developing an understanding of the role of the press in U.S. and world history and in the development of American culture. You will interpret historic and Constitutional developments from the perspective of a member of the media, and you will be required to demonstrate a familiarity with the historic significance of the First Amendment in shaping politics, entertainment, and society. We will also explore the roots of a number of contemporary academic theories about the media, which will require a critical understanding of important cultural and intellectual developments. Although this course does not focus on current events, you will use the tools of both reporters and historians to help understand the present through the past. You will demonstrate proficiency in developing and writing a research project, explain the significance of the press relative to American history and law, and be able to evaluate critically the importance of diverse voices in the media.

Graduate students enrolled in the JMS 613 section will produce a paper and presentation at the graduate level, due at the end of the semester. I will meet with you individually and discuss the instructions for your papers and presentations before midterm.

REQUIRED TEXTS

Borchard, Gregory A. A Narrative History of the American Press. New York: Routledge, 2019. (Note: This book was developed specifically for this course from lectures by the instructor.)

Resource material for A Narrative History of the American Press. You will find a wealth of supplemental materials directly related to lectures and assignments here.

GRADES

To earn an “A” in this class, you need not only to produce exceptional work, but also to make a positive contribution to class. Although I cannot assign a score for your attitude, participation indirectly affects your success, performance, and ultimately your grade. Your final grade will consist of the following items:

Five (5) “Pop” Quizzes: 5 pts each, 25 pts total. Quizzes may consist of in-class questions, due the day administered, or take-home opportunities. You must attend class to receive these points. Only excused absences will receive consideration for make-up opportunities. You should bring your notes and text to class each day, as quizzes are open notes/text. I may announce a quiz in advance, but it might also be administered without notice. Quiz questions will have a direct tie to lecture and likely come from the eResource material for A Narrative History of the American Press.

Midterm Exam: 25 pts; Study Guide posted (TBA). The midterm exam covers lecture materials during the first half of the semester. It will consist partly of multiple-choice questions, and in part a written question that we will develop during an in-class review session. It is NOT open notes/text.

Writing Assignment: 25 pts; Instructions and deadline discussed in class. You will write about a source that illuminates the history of journalism. You will submit a hard copy of this assignment toward the end of the semester.

Final Exam: 25 pts; Study Guide posted (TBA). The final exam covers post-midterm lecture materials (it is NOT cumulative). Like the midterm, it will consist in part of multiple-choice questions, and in part a written question that we will develop during an in-class review session. It is NOT open notes/text.

Combined Scores

Extra Credit: Depending on the progress of the class, I may decide to extend an Extra Credit opportunity announced in class (TBA). You must be present the day the opportunity is announced to receive instructions for this assignment.

Incomplete Grades: The grade of “I” (Incomplete) may be granted when a student has satisfactorily completed three-fourths of course work for that semester/session, but cannot complete the last part of the course for reason(s) beyond the student’s control and acceptable to the instructor, and the instructor believes that the student can finish the course without repeating it. For undergraduate courses, the incomplete work must be made up before the end of the following regular semester. Graduate students receiving “I” grades in 500-, 600-, or 700-level courses have up to one calendar year to complete the work, at the discretion of the instructor. If course requirements are not completed within the period indicated, a grade of “F” will be recorded, and the student’s GPA will be adjusted accordingly. Students who are fulfilling an Incomplete grade do not register for the course, but make individual arrangements with the instructor who assigned the “I” grade.

Final Examinations: The University requires that final exams given at the end of a course occur on the date and at the time specified in the Final Exam schedule. The general schedule is typically available at the start of the semester, and the classroom locations are available approximately one month before the end of the semester.

ATTENDANCE

All excused absences require instructor approval. Without such approval, there is no guarantee that your absence will be excused, and as such, you are subject to receiving a zero (“0”) on an exam, quiz, or assignment. The following situations with proper notice are generally grounds for excused absences.

Medical: We want healthy students and healthy classrooms, but medical excuses require official documentation from your physician in advance when possible.

Military: We thank you for your dutiful service, and expect your military superiors to provide you with necessary paperwork so we can make appropriate adjustments. We appreciate your consideration in letting us know in advance of a pending absence.

Family: Sometimes life is more important than a single grade. Such situations generally come with ways to verify the authenticity of an absence without impinging on a family’s privacy.

Athletic and Extracurricular Events: Students shall have the opportunity to make up any graded assignments, quizzes, or exams missed due to university-sponsored events with official written notification provided no less than one week in advance.

Religious Holidays Policy: Any student missing class quizzes, examinations, or any other class or lab work because of observance of religious holidays shall be given an opportunity during that semester to make up missed work. The make-up will apply to the religious holiday absence only. It shall be the responsibility of the student to notify the instructor no later than the end of the first two weeks of classes of his or her intention to participate in religious holidays, which do not fall on state holidays or periods of class recess.

Note: Simply leaving a phone message or sending an email does not constitute prior contact. Your absence will not be excused without prior confirmation from the instructor. In almost all cases, work-related scheduling conflicts are NOT excused.

Please Note: Work-related absences, although understood, do NOT count as excused, according to university policy. Other absences NOT accepted as excused include car malfunctions, computer malfunctions, oversleeping, etc. If you cannot make class for any of these (or similar) reasons, please do yourself and me the favor of NOT emailing about them, as you may receive make-up opportunities for verified, documented absences only.

Missed Classwork: Any student missing class, quizzes, examinations, or any other class or laboratory work because of observance of religious holidays will be given an opportunity during that semester to make up the missed work. The make-up opportunity will apply to the religious holiday absence only. It is the responsibility of the student to notify the instructor within the first 14 calendar days of the course for Fall and Spring courses (except for modular courses), or within the first 7 calendar days of the course for Summer and modular courses, of their intention to participate in religious holidays which do not fall on state holidays or periods of class recess. For additional information, please visit the Policy for Missed Work, under Registration Policies, on the Academic Policies webpage.

In accordance with the policy approved by the Faculty Senate regarding missed class time and assignments, students who represent UNLV in any official extracurricular activity will also have the opportunity to make up assignments, provided that the student provides official written notification to the instructor no less than one week prior to the missed class(es). The spirit and intent of the policy for missed classwork is to offer fair and equitable assessment opportunities to all students, including those representing the University in extracurricular activities. Instructors should consider, for example, that in courses which offer a “Drop one” option for the lowest assignment, quiz, or exam, assigning the student a grade of zero for an excused absence for extracurricular activity is both contrary to the intent of the Faculty Senate’s policy, and an infringement on the student’s right to complete all work for the course. This policy will not apply in the event that completing the assignment or administering the examination at an alternate time would impose an undue hardship on the instructor or the University that could reasonably have been avoided.

There should be a good faith effort by both the instructor and the student to agree to a reasonable resolution. When disagreements regarding this policy arise, decisions can be appealed to the Department Chair/Unit Director, College/School Dean, and/or the Faculty Senate Academic Standards Committee. For purposes of definition, extracurricular activities may include, but are not limited to: fine arts activities, competitive intercollegiate athletics, science and engineering competitions, liberal arts competitions, academic recruitment activities, and any other event or activity sanctioned by a College/School Dean, and/or by the Executive Vice President and Provost.

Auditing Classes: Auditing a course allows a student to continue attending the lectures and/or laboratories and discussion sessions associated with the course, but the student will not earn a grade for any component of the course. Students who audit a course receive the same educational experience as students taking the course for a grade, but will be excused from exams, assessments, and other evaluative measures that serve the primary purpose of assigning a grade.

POLICIES

Classroom Conduct: Students have a responsibility to conduct themselves in class and in the libraries in ways that do not interfere with the rights of other students to learn or of instructors to teach. Use of electronic devices such as pagers, cellular phones, or recording devices, or potentially disruptive devices or activities, are only permitted with the prior explicit consent of the instructor. The instructor may rescind permission at any time during the class. If a student does not comply with established requirements or obstructs the functioning of the class, the instructor may initiate an administrative drop of the student from the course.

Classroom Policies: University protocol provides instructors the discretion and prerogative to determine what is and is not acceptable classroom behavior (i.e., late arrival, wearing hats, and cell phone use). Classroom occupants are at the discretion of the instructor (per UNLV General Counsel). University policy considers bringing children to class a potential violation of the Student Conduct Code, Sections III.K. and L. relating to “disrupting” the classroom and/or university operations.

Please Note: I will start class on time and expect you to be on time. Let me know if you have an on-going situation that could affect your arrival to class. Be sure to turn off cell phones, pagers, and alarms before class starts. I allow guests in class under extraordinary circumstances only.

FYI: I have two remarkable hang-ups as an instructor: 1) Students carrying on conversations during lecture that have nothing to do with course materials — frankly, it comes across as rude and disrespectful, as well as disruptive, so please do not do this; and, 2) students surfing laptops or phones for social media materials (or any other materials) that have nothing to do with class. I have no interest in prohibiting use of personal technology in class, but at least have the courtesy to pay attention. (If non-course materials noticeably distract you, I do reserve the right to ask you simply to leave and peruse them elsewhere.)

Rebelmail: Rebelmail is UNLV’s official email system for students, and by University policy, instructors, and staff should only send emails to students’ Rebelmail accounts. Rebelmail is one of the primary ways students receive official University communications, information about deadlines, major Campus events, and announcements. All UNLV students receive a Rebelmail account after they have been admitted to the University. Emailing within WebCampus is also acceptable.

Use professional practices when sending emails: Use proper English, including correct capitalization, grammar, and spelling; identify your name in your email; include a header in the subject line; check your email daily. Allow at least a 48-hour response time for an email message, and remember, I may not return your messages on weekends or university holidays.

Identity Verification in Online Courses: All UNLV students must use their Campus-issued ACE ID and password to log in to WebCampus. UNLV students enrolled in online or hybrid courses are expected to read and adhere to the Student Academic Misconduct Policy, which defines, “acting or attempting to act as a substitute for another, or using or attempting to use a substitute, in any academic evaluation or assignment” as a form of academic misconduct. Intentionally sharing ACE login credentials with another person may be considered an attempt to use a substitute and could result in investigation and sanctions, as outlined in the Student Academic Misconduct Policy. UNLV students enrolled in online courses are also expected to read and adhere to the Acceptable Use of Computing and Information Technology Resources Policy, which prohibits sharing university accounts with other persons without authorization. To the greatest extent possible, all graded assignments and assessments in UNLV online courses should be hosted in WebCampus or another UNLV-managed platform that requires ACE login credentials for access.

Academic Misconduct: Academic integrity is a legitimate concern for every member of the Campus community; we all share in upholding the fundamental values of honesty, trust, respect, fairness, responsibility, and professionalism. By choosing to join the UNLV community, students accept the expectations of the Student Academic Misconduct Policy, and are encouraged to take the ethical path whenever faced with choices. Students enrolling at UNLV assume the obligation to conduct themselves in a manner compatible with UNLV’s educational mission. An example of academic misconduct is plagiarism. Plagiarism is using the words or ideas of another person, from the Internet or any other source without proper citation of the sources. See the Student Conduct Code.

Nevada Revised Statutes 207.320: Any person who prepares for sale or sells any term paper, thesis, dissertation, or similar writing intending such writing to be submitted to an academic institution as the work of any person not the author in fulfillment of a requirement for completion of a course of study, award of a degree or other academic credit is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Copyright: The University requires all members of the University Community to familiarize themselves with, and to follow copyright and fair use requirements. You are individually and solely responsible for violations of copyright and fair use laws. The University will neither protect nor defend you, nor assume any responsibility for employee or student violations of fair use laws. Violations of copyright laws could subject you to federal and state civil penalties and criminal liability, as well as disciplinary action under University policies.

RESOURCES

Office Hours: I will be available during regular office hours or by appointment. Office hours are a way for you to get more personalized attention to address specific problems, go over past assignments to see how to improve them, and discuss any other issues of concern. An instructor generally will NOT discuss individual grades in class, so if you have a question about a specific grading issue on an assignment, please bring it to my attention within two weeks of the assignment deadline.

Disability Resource Center (DRC): The UNLV Disability Resource Center (SSC-A, Room 143, 702-895-0866) provides resources for students with disabilities. Students who believe that they may need academic accommodations due to injury, disability, or due to pregnancy should contact the DRC as early as possible in the academic term. A Disabilities Specialist will discuss what options may be available to you. If you are registered with the UNLV Disability Resource Center, bring your Academic Accommodation Plan from the DRC to the instructor during office hours, so that you may work together to develop strategies for implementing the accommodations to meet both your needs and the requirements of the course. Any information you provide is private and will be treated as such. To maintain the confidentiality of your request, please do not approach the instructor in front of others to discuss your accommodation needs.

Library Resources: Librarians are available to consult with students on research needs, including developing research topics, finding information, and evaluating sources. To make an appointment with a subject expert for this class, please visit the Libraries’ Research Consultation website. You can also ask the library staff questions via chat and text message at <ask.library.unlv.edu>.

Tutoring and Coaching: The Academic Success Center (ASC) provides tutoring, academic success coaching, and other academic assistance for all UNLV undergraduate students. For information regarding tutoring subjects, tutoring times, and other ASC programs and services, please visit the ASC website, or call 702-895-3177. The ASC building is located across from the Student Services Complex (SSC). Academic success coaching is located on the second floor of SSC A, Room 254. Drop-in tutoring is located on the second floor of the Lied Library, and on the second floor of the College of Engineering building (TBE A 207).

UNLV Writing Center: One-on-one or small group assistance with writing is available free of charge to UNLV students at the Writing Center, located in the Central Desert Complex, Building 3, Room 301 (CDC 3–301). Walk-in consultations are sometimes available, but students with appointments receive priority assistance. Students may make appointments in person or by calling the Center, 702-895-3908. Students are requested to bring to their appointments their Rebel ID Card, a copy of the instructions for their assignment, and two copies of any writing they have completed on their assignment.

SCHEDULE

WEEK 1
Jan. 21: Introduction
Jan. 23: From Caves to Print

WEEK 2
Jan. 28: The Times that Tried Men's Souls
Jan. 30: The First Amendment
Note: Weeks 2-6 consist primarily of lectures with possible quizzes. Please keep up with corresponding chapters in your textbook.

WEEK 3
Feb. 4: The Dark Ages of American Journalism
Feb. 6: The First Wave of Sensationalism

WEEK 4
Feb. 11: Gangs of New York (Times vs. Tribune)
Feb. 13: Journalism in the Civil War Era

WEEK 5
Feb. 18: Reconstruction and the Red Record
Feb. 20: Muckraking

WEEK 6
Feb. 25: Yellow Journalism
Feb. 27: Hearst and Pulitzer Redux

WEEK 7
March 3: TBA
March 5: Around the World in 72 Days

WEEK 8
March 10: Review Session
March 12: Midterm Exam (25 points)

SPRING BREAK
Class does NOT meet March 17 and 19

WEEK 9
March 24: Instructions for Written Assignment
March 26: "Empire of the Air"

WEEK 10
March 31: Grad Presentations
April 2: TBA

WEEK 11
April 7: PR & Ads
April 9: Propaganda
Note: Weeks 11-13 consist primarily of lectures with possible quizzes. Please keep up with corresponding chapters in your textbook.

WEEK 12
April 14: Media in the Cold War
April 16: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

WEEK 13
April 21: Beginning & End of Journalism as We Know It
April 23: Convergence and Conglomeration

WEEK 14
April 28: Citizen Kane, pt. 1
April 30: Citizen Kane, pt. 2

STUDY WEEK
May 5: Review Session, papers due (25 points)
May 7: TBA

FINAL EXAM
May 12: 1pm, time and date subject to verification (25 points)