BC 197: Produsers/Consumers, Projects/Products (PCP2) Online

Sem 1 2012-2013

Course Description
BC 197 is an elective course that seeks to identify constructions of creators and consumers online and in mobile environments. We will do this by analyzing the projects and products that are online. Online content and in mobile devices are simply information framed and designed in a certain way. Though this will sound similar to content accessed through traditional mass media channels, there are certain properties and characteristics that are adapted to ensure these products and projects success. Some scholars claim that in the new digital environment, our own relationships with these products and projects are what can spell the success or demise of these online and mobile endeavors. Moreover, this course will explore the question, are we primarily consumers or creators in the online and mobile media environments? If so, how do we as individuals, and as part of communities, seek to benefit from either role? How do these undertakings succeed, and what makes them fail? At the end of the semester, students will attempt to interpret information through their own projects, under an advocacy or new media literacy framework that will be discussed in class.

The Instructor
C
Data P. Tolentino-Canlas Asst. Professor Broadcast Dept., College of Mass Communication, UP Diliman 920.6859/datacanlas@gmail.com

Consultation Hours: Tues Thu 10-11.30 Fridays by appointment Please call or send a note to schedule a meeting so I know when to expect you.

The important thing is the diversity available on the Web. Tim Berners-Lee

BC 197 Section WWX

Objectives
1. Analyze and discuss online and mobile products and projects. 2. Analyze the structure of content in these media and how consumers/authors relate to the content. 3. Assess and interrogate the constructed roles (consumer, creator and produser in online and mobile environments) these environments present, in relation to the products and projects that individuals engage in. 4. Conceptualize an online or mobile product or project that can be both participatory, and potentially profitable.

Note: Portions of this syllabus were adopted with permission from Dr. Kathleen Fitzpatrick of Pomona College.

Course Outline
The first two weeks will introduce concepts that define this course. We will look at the invisible way mobile and online use has insinuated itself into our everyday lives. The next three weeks will be about theoretical debates and perspectives on the phenomena of user-producers that the Web and mobile technologies have produced. In week 6-7 the class will discuss the various ways commercial entities have appropriated these concepts. Week 8-9 will concentrate on the Filipino experience, and we will discuss the different issues that exist locally in relation to these technologies. Week 10 will be preparation week and research week for group projects. Weeks 11 through 15 will be devoted to pitching, fine-tuning and implementation of the group projects, and week 16 will see the presentation of the final output. The schedule is outlined below.

Academic Integrity

The instructor of this course abides by any, and all guidelines put forth by the Department of Broadcast Communication, the College of Mass Communication, and the University of the Philippines, to uphold academic integrity. All students entering this course must be aware of the definitions and characterizations of all forms of academic dishonesty (which include cheating, plagiarism, etc). Anyone caught performing such acts of intellectual and academic dishonesty will be subject to sanctions deemed appropriate by the instructor, in consultation with the faculty of the Department of Broadcast Communication.

If the Internet teaches us anything, it is that great value comes from leaving core resources in a commons, where theyre free for people to build upon as they see fit. --Lawrence Lessig

Photo by Jose Wendell Capili

Course Schedule
Please note that some days may change to accommodate unforeseen circumstances such as typhoons or other official University events. WEEK WK 1 TOPIC Discussion of syllabus, expectations of the course ACTIVITY Ice-breaker Set-up Online group ASSIGNMENT Pew Internet Research Game How do you use the Internet? WK 2 WK 3 WK 4 Products and Projects that changed your life Theories of participation, creativity, collective intelligence, free labor. How do online and mobile products/projects construct these roles? Project assignment/discussion Paper and discussion Discussion of readings FILM VIEWING 20 June 27 June 4 July DATE 13 June

WK 5

Due on Week 5: Reaction/theory paper: insight on the discussions ONLINE/MOBILE ACTIVITY

11 July

WK 6

The past and the present converging. Products and projects that are redefining our understanding of the world, our relationships and ourselves. Emerging market models. Project Assignment/discussion

18 July

WK 7

25 July

WK 8

WK 9 WK 10

Identify local issues in the online or offline world that are highlighted/worsened/improved by online/mobile products or projects. Must be based on empirical evidence and studies Project Assignment/Discussion Presentation

1 August

Project Report I

WK 11 WK 12 Wk 13 Wk 14 WK 16

Conceptualization of an online product or project Planning and Implementation

Due on Week 11: Project Report Paper Revision and fine tuning report

8 August 15 August

22 August 29 August 5 Sept

Submission of Final Report

Video Documentation

Due on Week 16: Final Report

Bases for Grades

Because this is a higher elective class, students are expected to read more and discuss their insights. Class discussions will be very important, especially when critiquing ideas, discussing issues, and defining the students position on certain debates. Hence, the class participation grade makes up 40% of the grade. This will encompass attendance, surprise quizzes, etc. Students are encouraged to discuss and debate in class. The discussions will be prompted by the instructor after which students are invited to share their insights and ideas. Comparing experiences, positions and results of researches will be instrumental in moving the class discussions forward. Critiques are also encouraged, but these must be done in a collegial, and constructive way. These must be done to enrich the discussion, not put one another down.

The Wiki will be one of the primary sites of your participation in class. It is here that you will document your research, as well as receive updates regarding class schedules and assignments. Ideas for your final project can be extrapolated from the interactions that happen on the Wiki as well. There will be a set of more detailed requirements for the Wiki which will be discussed in length during the second meeting.
Your final report must include a documentation of your processes in implementing your final project. No documentation, no grade. The documentation can be in the form of a photo essay online, a video presentation, a Prezi, Powerpoint or Keynote presentation. While I do not require the documentation to be a glossy production, some creativity in your presentations will be much appreciated. Of course I expect the same logical organization of ideas, and clean visual and audio edits expected of any self-respecting CMC student. The breakdown of grades is as follows: 1. Class Participation 40% a. Class Wiki b. Discussion c. Attendance d. Quizzes 2. Reaction/Theory Paper 15% 3. Project Report Paper 15% 4. Final Report with Video Documentation 30% Total: 100% More details about the course requirements will be discussed and outlined on the Class Wiki.

IMPORTANT Class Policies

Attendance

As per University rules, you are allowed to miss up to four (4) meetings during the semester. Two lates (15 minutes after the time) is considered one absence. Try not to miss the discussion dates as this will form the framework of your final project. If you are part of an athletic team of the University, or are scheduled to compete in an academic event, you must inform me within the first eight weeks of classes so that you can be assigned any extra work to make up for what you missed. If I was not apprised, or your schedules came later, I apologize but I cannot accommodate the absence and I will have to mark you as a noshow.

Science fiction does not remain fiction for long. And certainly not on the internet. - Vint Cerf

You must drop the course if you incur four absences. All assignments are due on the date indicated in the syllabus. I will allow you to submit your assignments up to three days after the due date but you will not receive any feedback on your work the way those who turned in their work on time would. Be aware that feedback helps you improve your work and this may affect your future assignments, and eventually your grade. Please note that because of this policy means that I will give NO extensions. Period. Missing Work Despite the fact that requirements may count for certain percentages of your grade, you cannot graduate the class if you dont complete all assignments. You get an INC if you fail to pass any work, or fail to collaborate on the class Wiki. Technology Though this class is about, and is to some extent, dependent on technology, do not trust it completely. Remember that something can always go wrong. Always have a contingency plan, manage your time wisely and work smart I will NOT accept excuses that blame technology for the non-performance of students or submission of work, which include but are not limited to, computer crashes, corrupted software, virus-ed files, power outages, etc.
I will allow you to use your personal laptops and devices, provided you are fully participating in the discussions. I reserve the right to look at your screens if I feel that you are doing something on your machine besides in-class work. Please do your best to stay focused and refrain from distracting your classmates. If you continue to defy this policy I will ask you to step out of the class and will mark you as absent for the day.