Course Syllabus

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1560 - 2015 SPRING - SYLLABUS student.docx

 

AUDIO FOR CONVERGED MEDIA

Comm 1560 – Section 1

Spring 2015

 

     
   
 
   

 


               

Class Meets:                       TU/TH 1:00 pm – 2:15 pm                 Classroom:      192 – Jennings Building

                                                                                                                 Instructor:       Shawn Denevan

Consultation Hours:          TU/TH Immediately after class                                     (435) 619-5804 (c) 

                                                Jennings Room 107                                                       (435) 879-4312 (o)
Shawn.Denevan@Dixie.edu

 

     
   
 
   

 

 


        Required Text:                                Alten, Stanley R. (2013). Audio in Media (10th ed.). Boston, MA: Wadsworth.

 

Recommended Equipment:         Headphones – Circumaural (around-the-ear) – available at the Bookstore, or eBay – with 1/8 and ¼ inch plug adapter. Ear buds are not sufficient for this course.

 

        Recommended Equipment:        Flash drive or portable hard drive for saving projects.

                               

 


Course Description:          For Communication Majors and other interested students. Develops beginning
audio production skills for radio, television, film, and

online environments, including generating and editing audio for broadcast

stations and new media.

 

Course Objectives:           This course will teach the “how” of audio production; the “why” will follow in advanced courses. The desired outcome is twofold:

                                                            1) Determine the level of interest a student has in pursuing studies in audio.

                                                            2) Train students to be able to perform basic audio tasks in real-world settings.

                                       

                                                Students will develop proficiency in various practical aspects of audio production, including:

  • Selecting the appropriate equipment needed for a given production setting.
  • Proper set-up and tear-down techniques for basic audio gear.
  • Field and studio acquisition of vocal and ambient audio.
  • Editing, sweetening, mixing and mastering on digital audio software (Adobe Audition).
  • Live audio production for radio and television.

 


Class Discussions:           The nature of this class requires serious analysis and discussion of the principles and practices of audio production. For this reason, attendance and punctuality are important, and students cannot do well if they are often absent or late. Please plan your schedules accordingly.  Please turn off all cell phones during class time. If you must take a call, take it outside, and do not return to class.

 

Chapter Quizzes:               Doing the assigned reading is particularly important to your success. This textbook has been carefully assessed as an essential part of learning audio in this class. You will be quizzed regularly on the content. Early or make up quizzes will not be allowed, except under extreme situations.

 

Audio Production:              Audio production projects as individuals or teams will be an important part of your evaluation for this class. Guidelines for each project will be provided before the project is due. Due dates for these projects will also be announced during the semester. Projects will not be accepted late.

Radio Practice:                   You will receive hands on training for being a live Radio DJ. 5 weeks of class will require you to sit in with a DJ and learn and implement some on-air fundamentals. An edited recording will be submitted for your grade. 

     
   
 
   

 

 


Exams:                             Quizzes:                                Approx. Biweekly                                Reading/discussions as indicated

                                                Mid-Term Exam:  Thurs Feb 26                                   1st Half of Course Material

                                                Final Exam:          Thurs May 7 1230-230       2nd Half of Course Material

                                                                                 

CLASS SCHEDULE

 

Wk     Date:        Topics:                            Reading:         Quizzes/Assignments:                     Points:             

1

Jan 13

Jan 15

Sound

Acoustics
Studio Tour / Adobe 1, 2

1,2
3

 

 

2

Jan 20

Jan 22

Consoles / Adobe 3

Recording

6

7

 


Quiz 1 (1, 2, 3, 6)  /  Project 1


25 / 50

3

Jan 27

Jan 29

Editing / Adobe 4

Speakers

 

21

4

 

Quiz 2 (7, 21) / Project 2 /

 

25 / 50 /

4

Feb 3

Feb 5

 

Mics, Signal Processing

5,9

 

Quiz 3 (4, 5, 9)  /  Project 3

 

 

25 / 50

5

Feb 10

Feb 12

Speech

Voice Over

11

12

 

 

6

Feb 17

Feb 19

 

 

 

Quiz 4 (11, 12) / Project 4

 

25 / 50

7

Feb 24

Feb 26

 

Midterm

 

 

 

Midterm (1,2,3,6,7,21,4,5,9,11,12)

 

 

100

8

Mar 3

Mar 5

Studio Production

Field Production
Sound Design

13

14

15

 

 

Radio 1

 

 

0

9

Mar 10

Mar 12

NO CLASS

NO CLASS

 

 

 

10

Mar 17

Mar 19

 

 

 

Quiz 5 (13,14,15)  /  Project 5 / Radio 2

 

 

25 / 50 / 50

 

11

Mar 24

Mar 26

Sound FX

Internet Sound

 

16

10

 

 

 

 

 

12

Mar 31

Apr 2

Game Sound

19

 

Quiz 6 (10,16,19)  /  Project 6 / Radio 3

 

25 / 50 / 50

13

Apr7

Apr 9

Music Underscore

Music Recording

 

17

20

 

 

 

14

Apr 14

Apr 16

Music Mixdown

24

 

Quiz 7 (17,20,24) / Project 7 / Radio 4

 

25 / 50 / 50

15

Apr 21
Apr 23

Production / Mixing Mobile
Mixdown / Fin

18,25
22,23

 

 

 

16

Apr 28

Fin    -    Last day of Class

 

Quiz 8 (18,22,23,25) / Project 8 /Radio 5

 

 

25 / 50 / 50

 

17

May 7

(Final - Sect 1: 12:30-2:30)

 

13,14,15,16,10,19,
17,20,24,18,25,22,23

100

 

 

 

 

 

 


GRADING

 

 

 

 

  1. SCHEDULE OF POINTS:                       Production Projects (8)                       400 pts.

                                                                        Chapter Quizzes (8)                            200 pts.

                                                                        Radio Training (4)                               200 pts.

                                                                        Mid-Term Examination                        100 pts.

                                                                        Final Examination                               100 pts.

                                                                                             TOTAL POSSIBLE:        1000 pts.

 

  1. CANVAS: The online tool Canvas will be extensively utilized in this class, and knowledge of its operation will be paramount to your success. All tools, audio, video, documented instruction, email conversation, grading, and assignment submission will be down through Canvas. Assignments will only be accepted through Canvas. Communication with the instructor is advisable though Canvas. Most questions can be answered with the content on Canvas, and thus students will be directed there for their inquiries.

 

  1. ADJUSTMENT FOR DIFFICULTY:  Your instructor does not grade on the curve; therefore, to guard against the rare possibility of exams being too difficult for all students, grades on exams will be adjusted to insure a median score of 75%. For example, if 100 points are possible and the median score is 70, all students who took the exam will receive an additional 5 points. Final grade points will be similarly adjusted. No such adjustment will be made for quizzes.

 

  1. PARTICIPATION GRADE:  Because this class necessarily involves class discussions and evaluations, attendance and participation are essential to our success. Roll will be taken daily. Participation will be evaluated, and your instructor reserves the right to adjust your final grade by as much as a half-grade, based on your participation rating. The average student will earn a null (0) on participation and will be unaffected.

 

  1. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:   In order to ensure that the highest standards of academic conduct are promoted and supported at the University, students must adhere to generally accepted standards of academic honesty, including but not limited to, refraining from cheating, plagiarizing, falsification, misrepresentation, and/or inappropriately colluding or collaborating. The University shall consistently hold students accountable for instances of academic dishonesty and apply appropriate consequences.  For more information, see the Student Academic Misconduct section of DSU policy at http://dixie.edu/humanres/polstu.html

 

  1. FINAL GRADES:  After any adjustments for difficulty and participation, final grades will be assigned according to the following schedule:

 

                                                950 + points (95%) A              740 + points (74%) C

                                                900 + points (90%) A-             700 + points (70%) C-­

                                                870 + points (87%) B+            670 + points (67%) D+

                                                840 + points (84%) B              640 + points (64%) D

                                                800 + points (80%) B-             600 + points (60%) D­-

                                                770 + points (77%) C+            Below 600 points   F

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REGULATIONS

 

 

 

 

           

1)     Exams and Chapter Quizzes:  Exams and chapter quizzes must be taken in class on the day they are administered. No make-up quizzes or exams will be given. For this reason, attendance in class on those dates is essential to your success. Carefully reading your assignments is important since you may be quizzed on any material assigned and/or discussed prior to that date.

2)     Academic Dishonesty:  Plagiarism (claiming somebody else's work or ideas as your own), submitting another person's work as your own, and/or cheating on exams will not be tolerated. At best, these will result in a failing grade on the assignment or test involved. More likely, they will result in a failing grade and dismissal from the class. Further information on Dixie State Universities’ policy on academic dishonesty can be found at http://www.dixie.edu/humanres/policy/sec3/334.html

3)     Accommodation for Disabilities:  If you are a student with a medical, psychological, or learning disability or think you might have a disability and would like accommodations, contact the Disability Resource Center (652-7516) in the Student Services Center. The Disability Resource Center will determine eligibility of the student requesting special services and determine the appropriate accommodation related to their disability.

4)     Office Hour Appointments:  As shown on the front page of this syllabus, time is available immediately after class each day for office appointments with students. If you wish to meet during this time, you must make an appointment in advance. If no appointments have been made, the instructor cannot guarantee his availability on any day for which advance appointments have not been made.

5)     Class Conduct:  Students will be expected to show respect for other students. Disruptive or distracting behavior will not be tolerated. Real-world studio environments require a high level of teamwork and accommodation. Also, because food and drink are not allowed around the equipment in studio environments, food and drink (other than water) will not be allowed in class. Dixie State Universities’ policies on student conduct can be found at http://www.dixie.edu/humanres/policy/sec3/334.html.

6)     Classroom expectations: It is the responsibility of an instructor to manage the classroom environment to ensure a good learning climate for all students.  This means not talking when the professor is talking,  following instructions, and speaking and acting respectfully to the professor and fellow students.  For more details, please see the disruptive behavior policy at: http://www.dixie.edu/humanres/policy/sec3/334.html

7)     Adjustments to Class Schedule:  The instructor reserves the right to alter the class schedule or grading system shown in this syllabus, depending on his assessment of the progress and needs of the individual and collective members of the class.

8)     Dmail: Important class and university information will be sent to your Dmail account. This information includes your DSU bill, financial aid/scholarship notices, notification of dropped classes, reminders of important dates and events, and other information critical to your success in this class and at DSU. All DSU students are automatically assigned a Dmail account. If you don't know your user name and password, go to www.dixie.edu and select “Dmail,” for complete instructions. You will be held responsible for information sent to your Dmail email, so please check it often.

9)     University Approved Absences: Dixie State University Policy explains in detail what needs to happen if you anticipate being absent from class because of a university-sponsored activity (athletic events, club activities, field trips for other classes, etc).  Please read this information and follow the instructions carefully!  The policy can be found at: http://www.dixie.edu/humanres/policy/sec5/523.html

10)  Disability Accommodations: Students with medical, psychological, learning or other disabilities desiring reasonable academic adjustment, accommodations, or auxiliary aids to be successful in this class should contact the Disability Resource Center Coordinator (Baako Wahabu) for eligibility determination. Proper documentation of impairment is required in order to receive services or accommodations. DRC is located in the North Plaza Building. Visit or call 652-7516 to schedule appointment to discuss the process. DRC Coordinator determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

11)  Campus Resources:  Several campus resources are available to help you succeed.  Check out the links for each one to get more information.

a)     If you need help understanding the content of your courses, go to the Tutoring Center located on the 4th floor of the Holland Centennial Commons in Room 431. You can visit them online at http://www.dixie.edu/tutoring/

b)    If you need help writing papers, essays, etc go to the Writing Center on the fourth floor of the Holland Centennial Commons in room 421.  You can also visit them online at http://dixiewritingcenter.com/

c)     If you need to use a computer to do schoolwork on campus, go to the Smith Computer Center or the Holland Centennial Commons on the second, mezzanine, or third floors.

d)    If you are assigned to take a test in the Testing Center, go to the North Plaza.  You can get information on their website at http://www.dixie.edu/testing/

e)     The Library has all kinds of information and resources.  Visit the Dixie State University Library on the 2nd, and 3rd floors of the Holland Centennial Commons, or go to the library website at http://library.dixie.edu 

           

           

           

           

           

           

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Important Days to Remember (2014 Fall)

 

List Schedule

http://dixie.edu/reg/?page=calendar&sid=201520

 

Oct 31

Spring 2015 Bachelor's degree Graduation Application Deadline

Nov 17

Spring Registration open to Seniors (90+ earned credits)

Nov 18

Spring Registration open to Juniors (60+ earned credits)

Nov 19

Spring Registration open to Sophomores (30+ earned credits)

Nov 20

Spring Registration open to All Students

Jan 12

Classwork Starts

Jan 15

Last Day for Waitlist

Jan 16

Last Day to Add Without Signature

Jan 19

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Jan 22

Drop/Audit Fee Begins ($10 per class)

Jan 22

Residency Application Deadline

Jan 27

$50 Late Registration/Payment Fee

Feb 2

Spring 2015 Associate's degree Graduation Application Deadline

Feb 2

Pell Grant Census

Feb 2

Last Day for Refund

Feb 2

Last Day to drop without receiving a "W" grade

Feb 4

Courses dropped for non-payment

Feb 6

Last Day to Add/Audit

Feb 16

President's Day

Mar 2

Summer 2015 Bachelor's degree Graduation Application Deadline

Mar 2

Mid-Term Grades Due

Mar 6

Last Day to Drop Individual Class

Mar 9-13

Spring Break

Mar 23

Fall Class schedule available online

Mar 23

Summer Registration open to Seniors (90+ credits)

Mar 24

Summer Registration open to Juniors (60+ credits)

Mar 25

Summer Registration open to Sophomores (30+ credits)

Mar 26

Summer Registration open to all students

Apr 1

Fall 2015 Bachelor's degree Graduation Application Deadline

Apr 10

Last Day for Complete Withdrawal

Apr 13

Fall Registration open to Seniors (90+ credits)

Apr 14

Fall Registration open to Juniors (60+ credits)

Apr 15

Fall Registration open to Sophomores (30+ credits)

Apr 16

Fall Registration open to all students

Apr 29

Classwork Ends

Apr 30

Reading Day

May 1

Final Exams

May 1

Associate's degree Graduation Deadline - Summer 2015

May 4-7

Final Exams

May 8

Commencement

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Final Exam Schedule

 

http://dixie.edu/reg/?page=spring2015#finals

 

Course Summary:

Date Details Due