University of North Alabama

College of Arts and Sciences
Department of Communication and Theatre


Course Syllabus

Communication 242: Credit Hours: Course Description: Placement: Class Schedule: Faculty: Textbook: Objectives: Teaching Methods: Student Grades: Important Dates: Reading Assignments by Teaching Units: Project:

Introduction to Television Production and Performance 3 semester hours The basic techniques of operation, production, and performance of television and visual media. Spring 2004 Tuesday, Thursday, 11:00 -- 12:15 Avon Edward Foote, Ph.D. Associate Professor Room 108 Office: (256) 765-4489 E-mail: aefoote@una.edu FAX: (256) 765-4839 Office Hours: Monday 10-2, Tuesday 12:30-1:30, Wednesday 10-12, Thursday 12:30-3:30. And by appointment if necessary Zettl, Herbert, Television Production Handbook, 8th edition  Wadsworth, 2003. The student is expected to complete the following objectives: To be able to identify the basic operation techniques of lights, cameras, switchers, graphic systems, still stores, video servers and videotape recorders. To be able to identify and critique television compositional and transition elements and their application. To be able to identify and apply primary television performance styles. To be able to present effectively for several different television program types in practice lab sessions. To be able to list the primary decision-making criteria for television producing. To be able to give performance and production job descriptions and to fill the primary audio and video live television, production assignments in lab practice. To be to define different types of production, live television, ENG, field production, and digital cinematography. To practice performance and production in television lab/studio to improve skill levels. Assigned readings in text, lectures, class discussion, programming projects for radio or television, laboratory practice assignments, one on one evalutions of performance by appointment and festival attendance outside class hours at Lindsey Film Festival and Stribling Birthday Celebration. The following are methods by which the course objectives will be evaluated: Three exams will count 20% each. Final exam will be comprehensive over all readings, laboratory practice and in-class content. 20% of grade will come from program lab projects. Class participation will count 10%. Additional project and/or festival/conference/meetings attendance assignments on campus will count 10%. A=90-100, B=80-89, C=70-79, D=60-69, F=<60 Attendance: Required by University policy. After four weeks of absences your grade will be become an "F" as announced in University literature. Grade may be lowered for excessive absences over three. Because of the importance of being on-time and meeting deadlines, tardiness will be noted on the roll and may affect the grade if it becomes a problem. January 19 --- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day February 20 to 22 --- University closed for Winter break March 5 --- Middle of term March 5 --- Last day to apply for 2004 Fall graduation March 22 to 28 --- Spring Holidays April 9 --- University closed April 15-17 --- Lindsey/UNA Film Festival with Ernest Borgnine May 6 --- Study Day May 7 to 13 --- Semester Exams Television Production basics, Chapters 1,2,3,5,6,7 Television Performance basics, read handouts and library reserve article Process of Television Production, Chapters 11,12,16,18,19 Laboratory Practice in Television Performance and Production, read handouts and library reserve book chapter Monthly laboratory assignments that must be returned in writing. All laboratory practice and participation will require time outside of class. Laboratory obligations should average 15 minutes per week during the semester. Students will be expected to sign up for 30 minutes of laboratory studio time every other week. The day and location for sign-up will be announced in class.

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