COM 280T: Special Topics in Communication - Honors
(Political Communication)
Volunteer State Community College
Prof. Leonard Assante
Phones: 615/230-3727 (o); 615/230-0973 (h); 615/230-3228 (fax)
Course Description: This course is designed to introduce the political communication process through an examination of the different aspects of a fictitious political campaign.
Course Objectives:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the role of communication in the political process.
- Understand the different elements of a political campaign.
- Develop applied skills in communication in political contexts.
- Explore the political process in the United States and Tennessee.
These objectives will be accomplished through a variety of methods, including lectures, class discussions, activities, multimedia, guest speakers and possible field trips.
Texts/Required Readings:
1. Powell, Larry and Cowart, Joseph: Political Campaign Communication Inside and Out.
2. Abramowitz, Alan: Voice of the People: Elections and Voting in the United States.
(Available in the bookstore http://shop.efollett.com or at Amazon.com)
3. Students will also be expected to regularly read the political columns in the Tennessean (www.Tennessean.com) and Nashville Scene (www.nashvillescene.com) as well as one political website. (See http://www2.volstate.edu/lassante/politicalsites.htm under “Politics in General” for a list you may choose from.)
Instructor Expectations:
1. Respect: For each of us to receive a valuable education in this class, we will all need to listen openly and discuss ideas respectfully.
2. Attendance: You are expected to attend class and be on time. 10% of your grade is class participation. You will be allowed only 2 un-excused absences for this semester. After the third unexcused absence, I will deduct 10 points from your grade for each additional un-excused absence. Group work cannot be made up regardless of excuse due to the nature of the assignment. Students with an excused absence during other in-class assignments will be given the opportunity to make up that assignment on the first class they attend after the absence. Work missed during unexcused absences cannot be made up. Excessive unexcused absences can result in course failure. Excused absences do not reduce your grade. Excused absences include doctor=s notes, documented personal reasons or documented college functions. Arriving for class after roll has been taken counts as .5 of an absence.
3. Responsibility: Late assignments will be penalized. One grade will be deducted per calendar day late. Assignments are due to me by the start of class. My mailbox is in the Humanities Division Office (Ramer 201). I have a paper drop on my office door (Ramer 218). Please arrange for makeup exams before the test. You will need a written excuses to make up an exam without prior notification. Failure to take the final exam will result in a grade of “F” or “I” for the class.
4. Honesty: Don't plagiarize! Plagiarism is defined as taking another person's ideas, thoughts, words, music, quotes or answers without citing or crediting them. This is not only prohibited in my class but is against the rules of the College. Academic dishonesty will result in a grade of "F" on the relevant assignment.
5. Opportunity: If you need course adaptations or special arrangements, please see me as soon as possible. Americans With Disabilities Act/EOAA Statement: It is the student's responsibility to self identify with the Office of Disability Services in order to receive accommodations. Disability Services is located in Woods 122. Only those students with official documentation from the Office of Disability Services will receive services.
Volunteer State Community College is an equal opportunity/ affirmative action educational institution. No person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefit of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity of the College because of race, color national origin, age or handicap.
Financial Aid Students Attendance Policy:
If you are receiving Title IV financial assistance (Pell Grant, Student Loan or SEOG Grant), you must regularly attend class (a minimum of the first full week) or be subject to repay PART or ALL of the Federal Financial Aid you received for the semester.
6. Commitment: Doing well in this class requires you to keep up with the reading, assignments, and class work. If you miss a class, contact a classmate for assignments and notes. Or come see me. You are responsible for material you miss.
Assignments/Evaluation:
(All course work will be based on a 1000 point total.)
1. Exams as follows: (200 points)
b. Final Exam (100 points)
Exams will be essay format and cover assigned readings and class discussions.
2. Journal of Newspaper and Website readings (100 points)
Students will keep a journal summarizing state and local (not national) events and commentary found in the assigned newspapers and website. It is important for campaign staff to keep up with local political events and opinion.
3. The Campaign (Group Grade) (500 points)
(See additional handouts)
The major portion of the course and of your grade will be based on a fictitious congressional campaign the students will be participating in. For each major unit in the course, the two teams (Red/Republican and Blue/Democrat) will incorporate the material from that unit into their campaign. Successful use of the content discussed in a given unit will improve the standing of the candidate in the polls and therefore increase the grade of the campaign team. A poor integration of that material into the campaign will lower poll numbers and negatively impact the team’s grade. (Barring unusual circumstances, the entire team will receive the same score on this portion of the overall course grade.)
Material to be turned in for this portion of your grade will include (but may not be limited to) the following: (the team may divide these tasks up as they see fit)
a) sample letters to editor
b) sample press releases
c) debate notes/debate prep material
d) radio ad script and/or
e) tv ad story board
f) campaign strategy paper (outline of plan for campaign)
g) mock-ups of bumper stickers, yard signs, buttons, etc.
h) campaign brochures, mailers, door-hangers
i) mockup of newspaper ad
j) research report (issues, opposition, etc.)
k) political “stump” speech outline
l) fundraising strategy and goals
m) volunteer recruitment and use plan
n) speech of introduction
4. Oral Presentation (100 points)
Each team will present to me a persuasive presentation the goal of which is to convince me that their candidate should win.
5. Class Participation/Extra Credit (100 points)
Note: All written work (outlines, reports, extra credit, etc.) must be typed or (preferably) word-processed. The college offers several computer labs with modern equipment and laser printers. Use them! Hand-written work will be reduced by one full letter grade. Non-legible written work may result in additional deductions.
Note to computer users: Any written work may be turned in to me electronically via E-Mail as an attachment in .doc, .wpd or .rtf format. Assignments received in this manner must be in my mailbox before the start of the class they are due. I encourage electronic submission of work. Vol. State provides all students with e-mail and Internet access. You can also e-mail me and view the course webpage from Campus Pipeline.
Grading of Assignments:
Letter Grade Meaning: An "A" (900+) speech or assignment shows outstanding effort and performance and meets fully all graded criteria. A "B" (800-899) speech/ assignment meets all minimum criteria and shows some effort or performance beyond average. A "C" (700-799) reflects meeting minimum requirements, a "D" shows deficiency and an "F" indicates failure to perform the assignment or speech.
Misc. Grades:
I= Incomplete. Assigned at discretion of instructor.
N= Audit. Not assigned by Instructor.
W= Withdrawal. Not assigned by Instructor.
