S105--This is Your Brain on Media
How TV, Computer Games, and Radio Capture Your Attention and Play with Your Emotions

IFS 2011
Section 5241/14787

Course Requirements

Mini-assignments (15% of your final grade):

These are short (2-3 page, double-spaced) written assignments. They are designed to help you think deeply about the topic at hand or learn a skill.
Mini-assignments are due at the beginning of the class period on the due date.

Mini-assignments lose one letter grade for each day they are late, regardless of circumstances.

Lab Exercise and Results Presentations (25% of your final grade):

The class will be divided into groups.  Each group will work as a scientific team, meeting with Dr. Potter and the course intern to design a simple, original experiment focusing on either “Attention to the media” or “Emotional response to the media.”  Each team will find media examples to use as stimuli and conduct the experiment using classmates as research subjects.  Data will most likely be collected in the Institute for Communication Research in Eigenmann Hall.  Dr. Potter will also meet with the groups to conduct tutorials of data processing and analysis.  Students will then present results from the experiment to their classmates.

The goals of this assignment are to help develop an understanding of experimental design, application and testing of concepts and hypotheses, causal thinking, and data collection methodology.

Unit Exams (30% of your final grade):

There will be two exams covering all forms of course content (readings, lectures, & labs). The exams are roughly divided into the Attention Unit and the Emotion Unit. You will be tested on the concepts of attention and emotion generally as well as how they apply to the processing of media. 

Exams will consist of both objective (multiple choice, true/false, matching, etc.) and essay questions. You will be given a list of potential essay questions one week prior to each exam. Therefore, your answers are expected to be well-thought out and clearly written. You should not ask for clarification about essay questions on the day of the exam.

Reading Questions (15% of your final grade):.

Because of the intensive nature of this course you will be doing a lot of reading over a short period of time. In order to focus your reading on vital information I have provided vocabulary lists and discussion questions for each reading. They are links on the online course schedule. You should NOT use these as a way to help you skim the readings. Rather, you should read all pages assigned and be able to answer the questions given afterwards.

At the beginning of each class meeting I will ask you to write out your answer to one or two of the reading questions for that particular day. I will then provide you with written feedback on your answer...along with a grade of A, B, or C.

Article Summaries (15% of your final grade):

You will prepare a formal summary of published experimental research. The goals of this assignment are to develop an ability to use IU library databases, enhance critical thinking and strengthen writing skills. APA citation guidelines will also be covered and article summaries will be expected to adhere to them.

Other Grade-Related Considerations

Attendance:

Attendance is expected during all classes. Furthermore, attendance is mandatory during your lab group's office hour time with Dr. Potter. Final grades may be adjusted by Dr. Potter based upon lack of attendance.

Extra Credit:

You may participate in a research study in order to receive 5% worth of extra credit on a Unit Exam. Occasionally, graduate students or other professors will come into class and ask for volunteers. All you have to do to receive this extra credit is participate. No summary paper is expected.

Other ways to fulfill this include attending a research lecture somewhere on campus and writing a 2-page paper discussing what you learned or reading a published research article from an academic journal (Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, Journal of Radio Studies, Media Psychology, Communication Research, etc.) and writing a 2-page summary. If you choose either of these options, the lecture or the article must be pre-approved by me.

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