During class sessions in the SJSU School of Journalism & Mass Communications

 
      * CELL PHONE & PAGERS MUST BE OFF IN THE CLASSROOM.

     * NO FOOD IN THE CLASSROOMS. STUDENTS MUST CLEAN UP THEIR DEBRIS.

    * NO LATE ENTRY INTO CLASSROOMS.
       Professor Rucker gives his students a 10 minute window for arrival. Any student who attempts to
        enter the classroom after that will be asked to leave. If a student misses something during
        that 10 minute window, it is missed. Expect no repeats or make-ups.

    * LAPTOP COMPUTER USE IS LIMITED TO CLASS RELATED ASSIGNMENTS.
       Checking e-mails and all other personal use of computers is prohibited during class times.
         Professor Rucker permits students to use laptops for note-taking. He may also direct students
         to web sites for review during class discussions.

Professor Rucker requests students in his all his classes to...

      * REFRAIN FROM USING COLOGNES & PERFUMES IN CLASS.
       Professor Rucker has asthma and strong allergic reactions to these items.
Please do not come to class wearing these items.

     * RESPECT OTHER PEOPLE'S OPINIONS. NO PERSONAL ATTACKS.
       If everyone agreed in a lecture-discussion class, that would be strange.
Different points of view are expected and encouraged.
 Sharing different perspectives, however, must be done respectfully.
       No one may attack another student for their views or positions.
Strong points of view must be presented in a mature and acceptable way.

We again thank you for your cooperation in advance.


   STUDENTS WHO DO NOT COMPLY WITH ALL OF THE ABOVE
  POLICIES & GUIDELINES WILL BE ASKED
TO LEAVE THE CLASSROOM. 

Additional measures may be taken if a student demonstrates disregard for
this policies of the School and Professor Rucker.
 

Keeping up with trends,
attitudes, polls, and other
indicators is always
essential to success.

ARE EXPECTED TO
READ NEWSPAPERS, WATCH TV NEWSCASTS AND LEARN about media from a wide range of magazines, books, and online materials.
Staying current on timely issues and new develops is

  ALWAYS YOUR REPONSIBILITY  

 No excuses please...Pay Attention 

  Converging Media,
An Introduction to
Mass Communications 
 by John Pavlik & Shawn McIntosh

    Expect Multiple Choice &
     True/False exams on
   chapters assigned in class.

       NO Make-ups &
     NO Extensions normally.
      Excused absences must be
       requested before exams.

    Medical documentation may also
    be required for excused absence.

Rucker Contact Info/Policies:

For Journalism department
ADVISING ONLY
& graduation counseling ...
See Prof. Rucker in office hours
or e-mail these questions to...

professorrucker@yahoo.com

  ADVISING means questions
  about a major/minor or
  academic focus in the School
  of Journalism & Mass Comm.
  Deadlines & paperwork required
  when applying for SJSU
  graduation also included.
 

*Do NOT use this department e-mail   address for any discussion about   the MCOM 72 class, its assignments   or any homework. No response will   be offered.   All inquiries about any Rucker   class should be done directly with   the professor. (See next panel...)   Other students grades may never   be discussed.

Professor Bob Rucker

SJSU Office:
Dwight Bentel Hall
Room 218
408-924-3272

Spring 2006 Office Hours:
Mondays & Wednesdays
1:15pm to 2:30pm...
*Tuesdays Noon-12:45pm
(*Must make appointment in advance.)

MCOM 72 are always welcome
to see Prof. Rucker during
office hours.
Please do not wait to the last minute to make contact with any faculty.
 

Remember: Once a semester ends office hours also end. JMC faculty are not required to be on campus or hold office hours during summer, winter or spring breaks. So plan and schedule ahead.

 CALENDAR:

  Spring Semester Begins:
January 25, 2006

  Last Day to ADD a Course:
 Monday, February 13th

  Last Day to DROP a Course:
 Monday, February 20th

  SPRING BREAK 2006:
  Last week in March

   Spring Semester Ends:
 May 17, 2006

 MCOM 72 REQUIRED HOMEWORK

MCOM 72 students in Prof. Rucker classes MUST participate in class discussion of current events.

To do so, every student must read, watch or listen to media coverage of major news or events, and developments both anticipated and unexpected. This spring, keep an eye on the following:

February Super Bowl advertising & Grammy Awards, March Academy Awards, 
on-going federal wiretap investigations, 
public relations moves, online and other media industry timely examples.

ANY MAJOR STORY or EVENT that happens before the end of the semester...Know something about it.


 

Every class, students in MCOM 72 will be engaged in discussion about timely issues, events, situations or concerns presented in a wide range of media.

Individuals will be called on regularly to offer new information and understanding of the
topics discussed.

Silence or the excuse "I don't know"
 is not acceptable.

You may be
pressed to critically thinking it through.
Never quit on yourself.

All students will be monitored for their responses offered. Professor Rucker will periodically offer current event class evaluations for class participation assessments. Work on improving your knowledge of news. This part of the overall grade can be easy or difficult. It all depends on the effort you put into enhancing your appreciation and understanding of current events
BEFORE you come to class.

     Journal Analyzing Media Strategies... JAMS
 

                           A simple, small binder must be purchased and used to collect these
                           weekly assigned written reports. Assignments will be given by Prof.
                           Rucker in class, not outside class. Take thorough notes & share
                           accurate information with your classmates.

                           Professor Rucker will assign the focus or topic each week. Students
                           will be asked to review some media offering, i.e. a specific TV program,
                           newspaper or magazine article, web site, movie, recording or book.
                           Students should analyze the content and potential impact on society.
                           It may also prove helpful to go online and do independent research
                           on the assigned medium or topic. Include this effort in your reports.

                           The challenge is brevity and informative writing skill. Limit your analysis
                           of each assignment to no more than ONE page, double spaced, typed.
                           Get to the point quickly, following layout directions precisely, and
                           offer more than just your opinion. Include your factual knowledge and
                           research on the assigned focus or topic.

                           Written JAMS will be do in class EVERY THURSDAY.

                           ALWAYS BRING THE BINDER WITH ALL THE REPORTS INCLUDED.

                          Prof. Rucker will conduct a brief discussion each week about the latest
                          report due and call on students at random in class to offer an oral reports.
                          Periodically and unannounced, he will collect all JAM folders from
                          students and evaluate student compliance with assignment directives.

                         Folders will be collected ONLY IN CLASS. Student who miss, without
                         an approved absence, may not submit their JAMS to him outside of class.

                         Collected JAM folders will be returned in class to all students at one time.
                         Student who miss class must come to DBH 218 during office hours and
                         explain why they were absent from class when JAMS were returned.

                           Students may NOT make-up missed assignments or replace efforts
                           in the JAMS folder. No substituting work later after a deadline.
                           Any tampering with original JAM folders may result in an
                           automatic "F" grade for this portion of your course grade.

                         GOOD NEWS...Do all the weekly assignments as directed and earn an
                         easy"A" grade for 40% of your overall course grade.

                         BAD NEWS...Mistakes always lower your JAM grade. Layout problems,
                         content errors, missed assignments individually drop the grade, and
                         NO MAKE-UPS or SUBSTITUTIONS are allowed.

Important Reminders

Your own commitment to learning, as evidenced by your enrollment at San Jose State University
and the University’s Integrity Policy requires you to be honest in all your academic course work.
Faculty are required to report all infractions to the Office of Judicial  Affairs.

You are responsible for understanding the policies and procedures about add/drops, academic
renewal, withdrawal and other concerns you might have.

If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, or if you need special
arrangements in case
the building must be evacuated,
please make an appointment with your professor as soon as possible.
See him during his office hours.

SJSU Presidential Directive 97-03 requires students with disabilities register with the campus
Disabilities Resource Center (DRC) to establish a record of your disability.

Students should attend all meetings of their classes, not only because they are responsible for
material discussed therein, but because active participation is frequently essential to insure
maximum benefit for all members of the class.

For more detailed explanation of university policies…please go online to:

www.sjsu.edu

Search: Academic Integrity
Read link: Ten Principles of Academic Integrity, SJSU Judicial Office, ADM 218

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