ATEC2321 -Writing and Research for Emerging Media

Spring 2016
ATC 2.918
TTH 11:30-12:45pm
Contact Information
Dr. Angela Lee
Phone: 972-883-7539
Email: angela.lee@utdallas.edu
Office hours: After class & by appointment
Office: ATC 1.907
Course Description
The rise of digital media is revolutionizing how we produce, transmit, consume, and
evaluate information. This course seeks to help students understand these differences and
master the art of writing for and doing research on emerging media.
Learning Objectives
In this course, students will:

Acquire basic understanding of technical skills needed to work in a variety of new

media formats;
Become comfortable producing digital content on different platforms and for
different audiences;
Examine the effects of new media on society and communication processes
through a series of in-class exercises;
Learn how to write research papers through a number of take-home assignments;
Develop critical thinking and presentation skills by participating in team debates
and group presentations.

Required Readings
There are no assigned textbooks for students to purchase. Instead, all of the readings are
made available online and their links can be found on the course calendar below. Be sure
to check the course calendar regularly and complete all assigned readings before class. In
the event that you are unable to download a reading, please contact Dr. Lee immediately
or Google the article with the full title given on the course calendar.
Additional Course Requirements

Access to a computer (some in-class exercises will require that you bring a laptop
to class)
Check your UTD email regularly
Be in class on time

Course Syllabus

Page 1

Course Policies

Students should familiarize themselves with official UTD course policies, which
can be found here: http://provost.utdallas.edu/syllabus-policies/
No plagiarism. You should familiarize yourself with the concept of plagiarism
see the Avoiding Plagiarism section from the link above. Plagiarism is NOT
tolerated in this course. If you have any questions about this, ask me before you
turn in an assignment.
No late assignment. Many assignments are due in class. Unless otherwise
arranged with me prior to the deadline, late assignments are not accepted and will
automatically result in a zero.
Attendance. Our class meetings are an integral part of the learning experience for
the students. As such, you are expected to attend class, complete in-class
exercises or quizzes, and participate actively in class discussions. Arriving more
than 30 minutes late or leaving more than 30 minutes early will be marked as
absent.
Religious holidays. You must notify me of your pending absence at least fourteen
days prior to the date of observance of a religious holy day. If you must miss a
class, an examination, a work assignment, or a project in order to observe a
religious holy day, I will give you an opportunity to complete the missed work
within a reasonable time after the absence.
Disruptive behavior. Disruptive behavior is defined as behavior that interrupts
or interferes with daily functions of the University of the education processes by
the Dean of Students at UTD. To create a safe and welcoming environment for
learning, no disruptive behavior is allowed in this class. Students who make
inappropriate (e.g., hostile or threatening) remarks in class will be reported to the
Dean of Students.
No digital devices. Mutual respect is essential in this class. Therefore, use of
electronic devices (e.g., laptops, tablets and smartphones, etc.) is considered
disruptive and not permitted in the classroom unless requested by the instructor.
Communication. In this class, e-mail will be used as a means of communication
with students. You are responsible for checking your school e-mail every day for
class work and announcements.

Grading Policy

Class Participation (20%) This course is designed to be interactive and

participatory. Students are expected to attend class, arrive on time, participate in
class discussions and debates, and respond to class readings regularly. All
students are permitted three class absences over the course of the semester, no
questions asked, but there will be no make-ups for in-class exercises or quizzes.
Students who miss more than five class meetings will receive a zero for
participation. You are asked to use all electronic devices for class purposes only.
Students who are caught surfing the Internet in class, for example, will lose
participation points and be reported to the Dean of Students.
Reading Responses (20%) You are expected to write at least 5 reading
responses throughout the semester. There is only one rule for the reading

Course Syllabus

Page 2

responsesdo NOT summarize the readings. Instead, please use this opportunity
to share your view on, criticize, or raise questions about the readings. You are
also encouraged to discuss issues related to or inspired by the readings. There are
no length requirements, hence the posts can be as few or as many paragraphs as
you like, but the posts should demonstrate college-level (a) analytical rigor and
(b) conceptual synthesis (e.g., connecting the dots between at least two assigned
readings or one assigned reading with outside materials). Because your reading
responses will be incorporated into the lecture, they are due at noon the day
before class (i.e., if you want to respond to 1/19s readings, your response will be
due at noon on 1/18). Please keep in mind that there are only 12 opportunities to
do the reading responses this semester and plan accordingly. You can do the
responses ahead of time, but late responses are NOT accepted. Also, you will
need to add a label to your responses on Blogger in order to receive credit.
Writing Assignments (20%) To put what you learned in class and from
readings to practice, you will complete a number of take-home assignments that
include writing blog posts. As course policies indicate above, no late assignments
are accepted.
In-class Exam (20%) March 29 (Tue) To assess your understanding of class
materials, this closed-book exam will cover major concepts covered in lecture and
readings. No make-up exam is allowed unless it is for medical reasons, which
requires a doctors note. The exam comprises of multiple choice and T/F
questions. Make-up exams, on the other hand, may entail fill-in-the-blanks and
short answer questions in addition to a different set of multiple choice and T/F
questions to ensure that the exam is fair to all students.
Final Presentation (20%) To be discussed in class.

Grading Scheme
A = 93 or above
A- = 90-92
B+ = 87-89
B = 83-86
B- = 80-82
C+ = 77-79

C = 73-76
C- = 70-72
D+ = 67-69
D = 63-66
D- = 60-62
F = 59 or below

Please form a study group and write down the contact information of other members here
(Name, email and/or phone number).
1.
2.

Course Syllabus

Page 3

Our course blog URL: http://atec2321s16.blogspot.com

Course Calendar
Week 1

Jan 12 (Tue)
Introduction
Setting up course blog
Jan 14 (Thur)
Understanding the WebBasics
o Basic coding
o Blogging aesthetics
o Twitter You will
need a Twitter
account for this class
o Tagging
o Labels
Introduction to UTD
Writing Center

Read before class

Chapter 3 of Net Smart: How to Thrive
Online:
http://utdallas.primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.co
m/UTDALMA:UTD_ALMA:UTD_ALMA2
196229680001421
Message to my freshmen students:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/keith-mparsons/message-to-my-freshmanst_b_7275016.html
What 1 million tweets taught us about how
people tweet successfully:
https://blog.bufferapp.com/twitter-data-1milliontweets?utm_content=buffer9b9cf&utm_medi
um=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_c
ampaign=buffer
Study: Good design causes the brain to pay
more attention to news stories:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/pr/wp/201
5/10/27/study-good-design-causes-the-brainto-pay-more-attention-to-newsstories/?postshare=6631446342425715
Due in class
Set up Twitter and Blogger accounts

Jan W
19 (Tue)
e Understanding
e contemporary media
k landscape Part I
o Rise of audience
2
power
o Attention economy
o Measuring attention
o Sticky content
Discuss Assignment 1
Course Syllabus

Read before class

Chapter 1 of Net Smart: How to Thrive
Online:
http://utdallas.primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.co
m/UTDALMA:UTD_ALMA:UTD_ALMA2
196229680001421
Digital-age dilemma-how to cope with
information overload:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/237689984/Digit
al-Age-Dilemma-how-to-Cope-WithInformation-Overload
Page 4

Jan 21 (Thur)
Understanding
contemporary media
landscape Part II
o Effects of selective
exposure, perception
and retention
o Information overload
o Digital democracy

Week 3

Jan 26 (Tue)
New media literacy Part
I
o Online tracking
o Digital data
o Algorithms
Discuss findings from
Assignment 1

Course Syllabus

Attention economy -- A new perspective on

business chapter:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/237690242/ANew-Perspective-on-Business-AttentionEconomy
The page view just wont die:
http://www.buzzfeed.com/mylestanzer/whywont-the-page-view-just-die-already

Read before class

The real media divide Marcus Prior:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpdyn/content/article/2007/07/15/AR20070715
01110.html
Selective perception is what makes people
fight about TV:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/237547102/Selec
tive-Perception-is-What-Makes-PeopleFight-About-TV
People selectively remember the details of
atrocities that absolve in-group members:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/237548026/Peop
le-Selectively-Remember-the-Details-ofAtrocities-That-Absolve-in-group-MembersScience-of-the-Spirit-Sott-net
Who controls your Facebook feed:
http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/cov
er_story/2016/01/how_facebook_s_news_fee
d_algorithm_works.html
If you use Facebook to get your news,
pleasefor the love of democracyread
this first:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/theintersect/wp/2015/06/03/if-you-usefacebook-to-get-your-news-please-for-thelove-of-democracy-read-this-first/

Read before class

Googles Stealthier search ads are a hit:
http://www.businessinsider.com/googlesstealthier-search-ads-are-a-hit-2014-7
Dont freak out about the Facebook
Messenger app:
http://mashable.com/2014/08/11/stopfreaking-out-about-facebook-messenger-apppermissions/
Page 5

Facebook has collected your web browsing

habits to target you with ads:
http://mashable.com/2015/09/19/facebookadvertisers-likes/ - sdEZK2DSyOq0
The hypocrisy of the Internet journalist:
https://medium.com/message/the-hypocrisyof-the-internet-journalist-587d33f6279e .yunn3axp7
Due in class
Assignment 1

Week 4

Jan 28 (Thur)
New media literacy Part
II
o Crap detection
o Online trolling
Assignment 1 minipresentation
Discuss Assignment 2_1

Read before class

Debunking Donald Trump wont work if
you repeat what he got wrong:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/w
hy-correcting-donald-trump--or-anyone-else-doesnt-work/2016/01/08/9e5ef5d4-b57d11e5-a842-0feb51d1d124_story.html
Most of the information we spread online is
quantifiably bullshit:
http://qz.com/572269/most-of-theinformation-we-spread-online-isquantifiably-bullshit/?utm_source=atlfb
Why does hate thrive online?:
http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/use
rs/2015/10/hate_speech_harassment_and_tro
lling_online_some_history.html
I wanted to shame an accused con man. I
didnt realize how much power I had over
him:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/iwanted-to-shame-an-accused-con-man-ididnt-realize-how-much-power-i-had-overhim/2015/10/30/e00a7084-72a3-11e5-824898e0f5a2e830_story.html
Chapter 2 of Net Smart: How to Thrive
Online:
http://utdallas.primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.co
m/UTDALMA:UTD_ALMA:UTD_ALMA2
196229680001421

Feb 2 (Tue)
Social media behaviors &
cautions

Read before class

Why computers wont be replacing you just
yet:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/235314178/Why
-Computers-Won-t-Be-Replacing-You-Just-

Course Syllabus

Page 6

Week 4

Feb 2 (Tue)
Social media behaviors &
cautions

Read before class

Why computers wont be replacing you just
yet:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/235314178/Why
-Computers-Won-t-Be-Replacing-You-JustYet
EQ matters more than IQ on social:
http://www.journalism.co.uk/news/buzzfeedemotional-quotient-matters-more-than-iq-onsocial/s2/a556214/
Chapter 5 of Net Smart: How to Thrive
Online:
http://utdallas.primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.co
m/UTDALMA:UTD_ALMA:UTD_ALMA2
196229680001421
(Fake) friends with (real) benefits:
https://medium.com/i-data/fake-friends-withreal-benefits-eec8c4693bd3#.band6s84b
A reminder that your Instagram photos
arent really yours: someone else can sell
them for $90,000:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/artsand-entertainment/wp/2015/05/25/areminder-that-your-instagram-photos-arentreally-yours-someone-else-can-sell-themfor-90000/

Feb 4 (Thur)
Online advertising and
metrics

Read before class

5 not-so-secrets to writing great headlines:
http://www.mediabistro.com/prnewser/5-notso-secrets-to-writing-greatheadlines_b83427
How to optimize headlines using the 65
character rule:
https://econsultancy.com/blog/8196-how-tooptimise-headlines-using-the-65-characterrule#i.1pp0uq0he6djyx
Most of your headline writing tricks dont
work, apart from these two:
http://www.poynter.org/2015/none-of-yourheadline-writing-tricks-work-except-thisone/386861/
5 ways news sites are using Most Popular
features to help readers surface more
content: http://www.poynter.org/latestnews/top-stories/144879/5-ways-news-sitesare-using-most-popular-features-to-helpreaders-surface-more-content/
Page 7
How ad avoidance will lead to the death of
the mobile banner & the evolution of search:

Course Syllabus

http://bit.ly/Shields_adblockers

Week 5

Feb 9 (Tue)
o Mobile marketing,
mobile publishing,
native advertising

Read before class

Mobile is the future of everything:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/joshsteimle/201
4/02/12/mobile-is-the-future-of-everything/
Location datas dirty secret: How accuracy
is getting lost in todays data shuffle:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tomlowery/why-mobile-is-the-future_b_4796928.html
How the Atlantic gets people to spend more
than 4 minutes on its native ads:
http://digiday.com/publishers/atlantic-getspeople-spend-4-minutes-native-ads/
Lessons from five years in mobile news
apps: http://bit.ly/Ganapati_apps

Feb 11 (Thur)
Writing for different
social media platforms
Discuss Assignment 3

Read before class

Study: How marketers optimize their social
content: http://b2b-marketingmentor.softwareadvice.com/study-howmarketers-optimize-social-content-0614/
How to optimize your content for the top 5
social networks:
http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/optimi
ze-your-content/
A guide to optimize your social media
marketing campaign:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/jaysondemers/2
014/11/17/a-guide-to-optimizing-yoursocial-media-marketing-campaign/
Whats the best length for online news
videos? Recent research:
http://journalistsresource.org/studies/society/
news-media/best-length-online-news-videos
Due in class
Assignment 2_1

Week 6

Feb 16 (Tue)
Collaborative in-class
exercise: Assignment 2_2

Please bring your laptop or tablet to class

Due in class
Assignment 2_2

Feb 18 (Thur)
Please be on time and dress business casual
Course Syllabus

Page 8

Week 7

Week 8

Guest lecture by Layne

Rogers, Assistant Account
Executive at Moroch, an
ad agency in Uptown

Feb 23 (Tue)
Introduction to journalism
studies: gatekeeping,
social control, and news
consumption

Read before class

Newspapers reach record numbers online
but revenues dont follow:
http://www.mediapost.com/publications/artic
le/260511/newspapers-reach-recordnumbers-online-but-reve.html
Were missing the story: The medias
retreat from foreign reporting:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/235401536/Were-Missing-the-Story
Twitter and Facebook are turning publishers
into ghost writers:
http://bit.ly/Constine_ghostwriters
Around half of newspaper readers rely only
on print edition:
http://www.pewresearch.org/facttank/2016/01/06/around-half-of-newspaperreaders-rely-only-on-print-edition/

Feb 25 (Thur)
Emerging media giants:
news aggregators

Read before class

Murdoch wants a Google rebellion:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/235823646/Murd
och-Wants-a-Google-Rebellion
Brazilian newspapers leave Google News en
masse:
https://knightcenter.utexas.edu/blog/0011803-brazilian-newspapers-leave-googlenews-en-masse
Why Google may be industrys best friend:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/236656647/Why
-Google-May-Be-Industry-s-Best-Friend

March 1 (Tue)
Collaborative in-class
exercise: Assignment 3_2

Due in class
Assignment 3_1
Due in class
Assignment 3_2
Please bring your laptop or tablet to class for
todays exercise

March 3 (Thur)
Course Syllabus

Page 9

Week 9

Week
10

Week
11

March 3 (Thur)
Assignment 3_2 group
presentations
March 8 (Tue)
Discuss Assignment 4
(Research paper)
Brainstorming session for
final project
Final presentation group
sign-up
March 10 (Thur)
Library visit

You should start thinking about how you

may want to do assignment 4 (e.g., narrative
and necessary multimedia elements) so you
can make best use of the class library visit on
Thursday

*Class meets at lobby of McDermott Library

at 11:25am*

March 15 (Tue)
SPRING BREAK
March 17 (Thur)
SPRING BREAK
March 22 (Tue)

New media & new

questions
o Big data
o Ethical questions

March 24 (Thur)
Exam Q&A
Week
12

Read before class

Chapter 6 of Net Smart: How to Thrive
Online:
http://utdallas.primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.co
m/UTDALMA:UTD_ALMA:UTD_ALMA2
196229680001421
Sharing data, but not happily:
https://www.scribd.com/doc/294657441/Sing
er-2015-Sharing-Data-But-Not-Happily
How The Guardian uses attention
analytics to track rising stories:
http://www.fastcolabs.com/3026154/how-theguardian-uses-attention-analytics-to-trackrising-stories
What you think you know about the web is
wrong: http://time.com/12933/what-youthink-you-know-about-the-web-is-wrong/
If you have any questions or concerns about
the exam, this would be a good time to bring
them up

March 29 (Tue)
In-Class exam
March 31 (Thur)
Mandatory consultation
for final presentation

Course Syllabus

Group consultations will take place in Dr.

Lees office (ATC1.907). The rest of the
class should meet and work on the final
presentation in the classroom
Page 10

Week
13

April 5 (Tue)
Mandatory consultation
for final presentation

Group consultations will take place in Dr.

Lees office (ATC1.907). The rest of the
class should meet and work on the final
presentation in the classroom

April 7 (Thur)
Group meeting for final
project
Optional consultation
available upon request
Week
14

April 12 (Tue)
Assignment 4 in-class
presentation (part 1)

April 14 (Thur)
Assignment 4 in-class
presentation (part 2)
Week
15

Week
16

April 19 (Tue)
Group meeting for final
project
Optional consultation
available upon request

Reminder: The written report for the final

presentation is due on April 26. See course
blog for instructions.

Due in class
Assignment 4
Feedback on in-class presentations
Please bring your laptop or tablet to class for inclass exercise
Due in class
Feedback on in-class presentations

Reminder: The written report for the final

presentation is due on April 21. See course
blog for instructions.

April 21 (Thur)
Final presentations

Due in class
Optional team evaluation

April 26 (Tue)
Final presentations

Due in class
Optional team evaluation

April 28 (Thur)
Final presentations
Wrap-up

Due in class
Optional team evaluation

The descriptions and timelines contained in this syllabus are subject to change
at the discretion of the Professor.

Course Syllabus

Page 11