Subject to Change
Course Description
Introduction to Podcasting is a brand new course as of Fall 2016. In this course, you will learn how to create, launch, grow, and monetize a podcast. In addition to coming away with an understanding of the technical aspects of podcasting, you will also gain an appreciation for the content creation side of the process. All students will be responsible for launching their own podcasts with a minimum of 3 episodes published by the end of the semester.
Resources
- Recording studio set-up on site
- Portable recording equipment available for sign-out
To successfully complete this course, you will need access to the following:
- A current Soundcloud, BuzzSprout or iTunes account (aka: an Apple ID)
- Access to a computer with an internet connection
- Media hosting account with Libsyn (or Soundcloud) account prior to syndication (free trial available)
- Canva account for creating your podcast artwork (free to use)
- AudioJungle, Pond5 or MusicBakery for your show’s theme music (nominal, one-time cost)
NOTE: You will be given the option of working on your podcast and podcast launch alone or with one other classmate. If you choose the latter, you will be required to complete an additional, full-length episode of your podcast.
Textbook: N/A
Supplemental text:
Other reading as assigned.
YOU ARE REQUIRED TO READ ASSIGNED MATERIAL BEFORE CLASS. We may or may not review that material in class.
Lynda.com:
All MTSU students now have full access to Lynda.com, an online library of tutorials. Throughout the semester I will recommend modules and courses to view related to the topic of the week. You will watch these modules outside of class; we will not discuss them but I expect you will use the knowledge. I would suggest you complete all courses, even if only a few modules are suggested. These can be listed under education on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
OPTIONAL EXTRA CREDIT OPP: I will not assign entire courses in Lynda.com but if you complete one and show or email me the Certificate of Completion you will receive 75 points. That is half a grade step.
Evaluation/Grading
You’ll be responsible for:
- Written Assets (Podcast Name, Podcast Description, Intro/Outro VO Scripts, Listener Profile, Worldview Statement)
- Audio Assets (Fully-Produced Podcast Intro and Outro with Music and VO)
- Introductory Episode (Fully-Produced Episode #000)
- Show Syndication (Fully-Produced episodes #001 – #002 “live” and published on the internet)
- Final Exam
I expect professional behavior. That’s your contract. In return, you’ll be “paid” in accordance with fulfilling that contract. My side of the bargain is providing you with valuable work to do.
You may receive up to 2200 points this semester for the work that you do.
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This is translated into grades like this: |
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1980-2200 |
A |
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1760 – 1979 |
B/+/- |
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1540 – 1759 |
C/+/- |
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1320 – 1539 |
D/+/- |
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0 – 1319 |
F |
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Midterm grades
The University has instituted midterm grade reporting. Your midterm grade is based upon a small fraction of the work that will determine your final grade. Your midterm grade should not be interpreted as a strong indication of what your final grade may be. Most of your final grade will be determined by how you perform in the second half of the semester.
Attendance
You must sign in to class every day. Regular attendance, active participation in class discussions, and a demonstrated grasp of major concepts are essential for obtaining a good grade in this course.
Excused Absences require a doctor’s note or discussion with the instructor at least 1 day BEFORE the absence.
- 3 UNEXCUSED ABSENCES will lower your final grade by one letter.
- 5 UNEXCUSED ABSENCES will result in failure of the class.
Academic Misconduct Policy
Middle Tennessee State University takes a strong stance against academic misconduct. Academic Misconduct includes, but is not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, and fabrication.
Academic Misconduct: Plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, or facilitating any such act. For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
- Plagiarism: The adoption or reproduction of ideas, words, statements, images, or works of another person as one’s own without proper attribution. This includes self-plagiarism, which occurs when an author submits material or research from a previous academic exercise to satisfy the requirements of another exercise and uses it without proper citation of its reuse.
- Cheating: Using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, or study aids in any academic exercise. This includes unapproved collaboration, which occurs when a student works with others on an academic exercise without the express permission of the professor. The term academic exercise includes all forms of work submitted for credit or hours.
- Fabrication: Unauthorized falsification or invention of any information or citation in an academic exercise.
To be clear: going online and taking information without proper citations, copying parts of other student’s work, creating information for the purposes of making your paper seem more official, or anything involving taking someone else’s thoughts or ideas without proper attribution is academic misconduct. If you work together on an assignment when it is not allowed, it is academic misconduct. If you have a question about an assignment, please come see me to clarify. Any cases of academic misconduct will be reported to the Office of Academic Affairs for violating the academic honesty requirements in the student handbook. They will also result in failure of the course. Remember – ignorance is NOT a defense.
Another professor passed along these guidelines from Mindy McAdams’ Website located at www.mindymcadams.com.
“Do your own work. Be original. No copying. No fiction writing in this course. Never make things up. Never use other people’s words without quotation marks and the speaker’s (or writer’s) name attached. The proper use of citations of ALL material from other sources is required.
When you copy and paste from a Web page, you are committing plagiarism — unless you place the full block of text within quotation marks and provide a complete and correct attribution for the copied material.
A “rewrite” of another person’s text (or Web page) is plagiarism. You must either quote it, or else write entirely from your own mind, your own thoughts, your own words — without copying from something else. Any and all uses of another person’s words must be attributed.
The consequences are not negotiable. If you have any questions about what plagiarism is, or what academic dishonesty is, it is your responsibility to ask me — in advance of handing in any questionable work.
I take both academic honesty and journalistic credibility very seriously, and I expect all students in our college to do the same.
Copying a page or screen design is considered dishonest and sleazy. It is also more noticeable than you may realize — Web professionals will quickly recognize a page design that you copied and thought you had changed. The reflection on you is bad; in some cases, it would eliminate you from consideration for a job.”
Diversity
Negative statements about race, class, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, or religion will not be tolerated. Please choose your words carefully and be mindful of difference in this classroom. Students who violate this policy may incur grade deductions and/or be asked to leave.
For Students With Special Needs
Middle Tennessee State University is committed to campus access in accordance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Any student interested in reasonable accommodations can consult the Disability & Access Center (DAC) website and/or contact the DAC for assistance at 615-898-2783 or dacemail@mtsu.edu.
Last Day Of Attendance
At mid-semester, the MTSU Records Office will distribute a list of students enrolled in this class. The instructor will record on the list the last date of attendance for students who have ceased attending but not officially dropped or withdrawn from the class. The attendance record is to comply with federal financial aid regulations for students receiving aid.
Lottery Scholarship
Do you have a lottery scholarship? To retain the Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship eligibility, you must earn a cumulative TELS GPA of 2.75 after 24 and 48 attempted hours and a cumulative TELS GPA of 3.0 thereafter. A grade of C, D, F, FA, or I in this class may negatively impact TELS eligibility.
If you drop this class, withdraw, or if you stop attending this class you may lose eligibility for your lottery scholarship, and you may not be able to regain eligibility at a later time.
For additional Lottery rules, please refer to your Lottery Statement of Understanding form or contact your MT One Stop Enrollment Counselor.
The MT One Stop is now open and located in Room 210 of the Student Services & Admissions Center (SSAC). If you have additional questions about financial aid, registration, tuition and billing and transcripts, please contact your MT One Stop Enrollment Counselor or come by the MT One Stop.