Course Syllabus

RTV 3511 - Production Fundamentals & Aesthetics of Electronic Media

Instructor: Professor Heidi Bolduc 

 

Meeting Time: Online
Credit Hours: 3
Office: NSC #259
Office Hours:  By Appointment Only
Phone: 407-823-1711
E-mail: Heidi.Bolduc@ucf.edu or via Webcourses E-mail

 

Course Information

Course Name	Production Fundamentals
Course ID & Section	RTV 3511, Section 0W60
Credit Hours	3
Semester/Year	Fall 2021
Location	Web. Fully Online.

 

REQUIRED TEXTBOOK

• Zettl, Herbert.  (2013).  TELEVISION PRODUCTION HANDBOOK, 12th ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing. 

• Additional readings will be provided via the course Webcourses page.

 

REQUIRED MATERIALS

• Computer with reliable Internet access
• UCF Webcourses account
• UCF Knights E-mail account
• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access)
  • FREE for all UCF Knights: Click here to find out how to download!

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course provides an introduction to the technical and creative concepts of analog and digital electronic media production for radio, television, and multimedia delivery systems.

 

GOALS & LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Students will gain a foundational understanding of audio and video production/post-production from perspectives of:

• Aesthetics
• Technology
• Operations

Pursuant to these goals, students will:

• learn the history and role of video and audio production
• understand production concepts and apply ideas and theories in the use and presentation of images and information
• learn how to critically evaluate production creations
• understand the principles and laws of freedom of speech and the press as they apply to production creations
• learn to assess production creations critically, creatively and independently

     

COURSE POLICIES

 ACADEMIC HONESTY

Plagiarism or cheating of any kind on an examination, quiz, speech, or assignment will result at least in an "F" for that assignment and may, depending on the severity of the case, lead to an "F" for the entire course. It will also be subject to appropriate referral to the Office of Student Conduct for further action. I will assume for this course that you will adhere to the academic creed of this University and the UCF Golden Rule by maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity. In other words, don't cheat by giving answers to others or taking them from anyone else!

 

MAKE-UP POLICY

No late assignments will be accepted. One of the major responsibilities in this (and every) college course is to complete all assignments on time. All dates for presentations and exams are included in the class schedule.*

 

Assignment Make-ups: Assignment due dates will be determined within the first few weeks of the semester. It is the student’s responsibility to keep track of due dates for all assignments. If you know you will not be able to submit an assignment for any reason, it is your responsibility to inform the instructor no later than 24 hours before the due date. At that point, a make-up assignment may be scheduled at the discretion of the instructor.

 

Exam Make-ups: Exam dates will be determined by the first class meeting of the semester. It is the student’s responsibility to keep track of these dates for both the Exam 1 and Exam 2. If you know you will not be able to take an exam due to a medical emergency, family emergency, military obligation, legal obligation, or religious holiday observance, it is your responsibility to inform the instructor no later than 24 hours before or after the exam submission date and time. At that point, a make-up exam may be scheduled at the discretion of the instructor.

 

*Due to the unpredictable nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, exceptions to the course makeup policy will be made for any student who is ill, experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, has tested positive for COVID-19, or if anyone living in their residence has tested positive or is sick with COVID-19 symptoms. Simply reach out to the professor using the contact information provided at the top of this syllabus. 

 

E-MAIL POLICY

Knight’s e-mail and Webcourses e-mail are the only e-mail systems for UCF and the only way faculty, staff, and administrators are allowed to communicate with students regarding official university business matters. This includes course work, advising, answering academic questions, or any correspondence related to your role as a student or our role as faculty, staff, and administrators of UCF. Regrettably, if you make any inquiry or ask a question by e-mail using an a different domain, I am not permitted to reply to you at the address from which you sent your e-mail. If you have not done so already, please activate your Knight’s e-mail account and link it with your Webcourses e-mail account as these are the only ways you will receive important e- mails and updates pertaining to this class.

 

ACCESSABILITY ACCESS

Students with disabilities who need accommodations in this course must contact the professor at the beginning of the semester to discuss needed accommodations. No accommodations will be provided until the student has met with the professor. Students must be registered with Student Accessibility Services, Ferrell Commons, Room 185, Phone (407)-823-2371, TDD only Phone (407)-823-2116 before requesting accommodations from the professor.

 

TECHNOLOGY & PROFESSIONALISM

Civility is genuine respect and regard for others. It includes politeness, consideration, tact, good manners, graciousness, cordiality, affability, amiability, and courteousness. Civility enhances academic freedom and is a prerequisite of the free exchange of ideas and knowledge in a learning environment. Civility is expected of you in all of your communications with your classmates and with your instructor. 

Basically, we are all adults: Please be polite. I encourage you to start seeing your fellow students as your colleagues and to treat them with respect via your interactions with them this semester. I also encourage you to be aware of civility in the context of e-mailing me with any questions or concerns you may have. 

If you have questions regarding course material or simply would like RTV academic advising, I will be happy to respond to your e-mails or Webcourses messages. I always try to respond in a timely manner which means within 48 business hours. The flexibility of an online course is one of its advantages, but please note that it does not mean that I'll be available 24/7. 

 

COVID-19 STATEMENT

Students should not come to campus if they are ill, are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, have tested positive for COVID-19, or if anyone living in their residence has tested positive or is sick with COVID-19 symptoms.

To protect members of our community, everyone is required to wear a facial covering inside all university common spaces including classrooms. Students who choose not to wear facial coverings will be asked to leave the classroom by the instructor. Students will be responsible for the material that would have been covered in class as provided by the instructor.

Depending on the course of the pandemic during the semester, the instructor may make changes to course material, assignments, and/or exams. In the event that the instructor becomes ill, a backup professor may be designated to temporarily take over this course.

If any changes are deemed necessary during the semester, announcements will be clearly posted either on the course Webcourses@UCF page or via Knights e-mail.

Students who believe they may have a COVID-19 diagnosis should contact UCF Student Health Services (407-823-2509) so that proper contact tracing procedures can take place.

 

COURSE COMPONENTS 

Exams: There will be two exams during the semester. Each exam is independent and not comprehensive. As this is a fully online course, these are open book and open note exams. However, preparation for the exams will be necessary to complete the exam efficiently. Each student is expected to complete the exams on their own. 

Quizzes: We will have 4 quizzes throughout the semester. Quizzes will be based on any information contained within the readings and module content for that week.

Discussion Posts: Participation will be based on student engagement in 5 course discussions. These discussion activities are included in the module content and will rely on student and professor involvement, especially later in the semester when we work together to develop the foundation for a situation comedy program. Discussion posts require an initial post due by Thursdays at 11:59 p.m. and a reply post due by Sunday at 11:59 p.m. 

 

GRADING BREAKDOWN

Final grades will be determined using the following guidelines:

Quizzes (4)	25%
Discussion Posts	25%
Exams 1 & 2	40%
Film Analysis	10%
Total	100%

 

GRADING SCALE

Final grades will be assigned to numerical scores that fall within the following ranges:

Note: A +/- grading scheme is not used within this course.

90—100%	A
80—89%	B
70—79%	C
60—69%	D
Below 60%	F

 

GRADE DISPUTES

It is important that you keep digital copies of all class assignments, exams grades, and make-ups noted in case they need to be referenced later in the semester. All grade discussion must be scheduled digitally before the last week of classes (final exam week). Grade disputes may be resolved most effectively and quickly through direct interaction between the instructor and the student.

 

DISCLAIMER

The instructor reserves the right to adjust the course syllabus and/or course schedule upon notification of the class either via Webcourses or e-mail. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of any adjustments announced by the instructor through either communication methods.