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INTRODUCTION TO TELECOMMUNICATION
SPRING 2008 ● SEC 5634
MWF PERIOD 8 ● GANNETT AUDITORIUM (1064 WEIMER)
This course embarks on providing a general roadmap of the telecommunication industry, with
an emphasis on learning specifically about broadcasting and cable. Upon completion of the
course, you will be expected to know:
While this course will focus heavily on broadcasting and cable television, developments and
changes in new media, business practices, converging markets and regulatory philosophy are
leading to dramatic changes in the telecommunication industry, including the rise of the Internet
and deployment of broadband services. This course will attempt to incorporate and discuss
recent trends and developments as much as possible.
REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS
9 Text: Davies & Upshaw, Principles of Electronic Media, 2nd ed., 2005.
9 Required Notes Slides & Video Study Questions available through UF libraries e-
reserve, available at: https://ares.uflib.ufl.edu/. These are organized by topic areas
(e.g. Part I) that correspond to how we cover material in the course. Please bring these
items to class with you to assist note-taking.
The telecommunication industry changes rapidly, and reading newspapers and periodicals is
often the only way to keep up. If you don’t already do so, you’re advised to read national daily
newspapers (e.g., New York Times, Wall St. Journal) as well as weekly trade publications (e.g.,
Broadcasting & Cable) to monitor changes. You may also wish to review and or subscribe to
Communications-Related Headlines, a news-clipping service delivered via email by the Benton
Foundation. You may learn more about this free service at http://www.benton.org/News/. In
addition, you may also register with TVinsite for their free email clipping service at
http://www.tvinsite.com/.
Texts that were previously used for this class may be consulted as supplementary resources
and are available on reserve in the Journalism library, located on the first floor of Weimer:
Broadcasting, Cable, the Internet & Beyond (5th Edition, 2004), Broadcasting in America: A
Survey of Electronic Media (9th Edition, 2001) & Perspectives on Radio and Television (4th
Edition, 1998). Another useful, job-related text entitled Careers in Media (2007) is also on
reserve.
Countless studies demonstrate that students who attend regularly perform better and learn
more than those who don't attend class. Such research holds true even in introductory survey
courses. Despite the large number of peers, this course works best when there is a discussion
of ideas and sharing of questions and answers to discern difficult concepts. Your input and
active participation are encouraged to help you and others learn more effectively. Although
class meetings serve to enhance and enlighten the comprehension of material that is presented
in the assigned readings, you will also be responsible for details presented in class that are not
directly evident in the text, including any class handouts, video material or guest speakers. Be
forewarned that material presented during class will also reflect recent developments in the
telecommunication industry, effectively updating the text and other reading materials. Because
the telecommunication industry is so complex, this course will cover a lot of material and
proceed at a brisk pace. As a result, regular attendance is necessary to succeed in this
course.
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ASSESSMENT
EXAMS
Your class grade is based entirely on three exams that make-up your overall semester grade
(see above chart). The exams will contain multiple choice, true/false and/or matching “objective”
questions that measure your understanding of key concepts. Exam material will be drawn from
class discussions and readings. Based upon class performance, exams may be curved to
reflect their difficulty.
Study guides will be issued roughly one week ahead of time to review for exams. You are
advised to use the PowerPoint slides and notes taken during class to review the study guide
and prepare for each exam. Part of the class prior to an exam will be used to entertain any
questions that you may have regarding course material. Generally speaking, nearly all of the
material will be drawn from what we’ve covered during class.
You must have a Gatorlink ID to access your exam grades online. All registered students will
be able to access their grades via the Internet by following the instructions online at:
http://vista.courses.ufl.edu. If you do not have a Gatorlink ID or can’t remember your login
information, please visit http://gatorlink.ufl.edu or call the CIRCA help desk at 392-HELP.
Absolutely NO make-up exams will be given without prior notification AND subsequent
documentation of a medical excuse or other personal emergency. Arrangements for any
make-up exams must be made within 72 hours of the original exam date. This policy will
be strictly enforced — no exceptions!
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ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
You are expected to abide by the University’s Honor Code and Academic Honesty Guidelines.
Cheating will result in an automatic zero for the exam and an “F” for the overall course.
Because of the large number of students in the course, you must bring your Gator 1 ID to all
exams. All University Policies regarding academic honesty (Rule 6C1-4.017) will be strictly
enforced.
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COURSE CALENDAR & READING ASSIGNMENTS
9 Assigned book chapters are from Principles of Electronic Media (2nd ed., 2005)
Historical conditions which contribute to the current structure and operation of the
electronic media industries
A review of how broadcast radio and television works, including the different
properties of frequencies, waves and electromagnetic spectrum
How the technical characteristics of radio and television affect the structure,
regulation and economics of electronic media systems
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STRUCTURE OF BROADCAST & CABLE: MARCH 17- MARCH 31
READ CHS. 3 (PP 49-65) & 6
OPTIONAL COURSE WEBSITE: REVIEW “INDUSTRY STRUCTURE” LINKS — SUPPLEMENTAL
RESOURCES
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PROGRAMMING & RATINGS: APRIL 9-APRIL 23