Art and Craft of
Radio
MDAR
255-01
School of
Continuing
Tuesday
and Thursday, 5:45 PM – 8:35 PM, Summer 2007
Mr. Kelly
Fogarty, Instructor
Voice
Mail: 905-0070 ? Email:
kfogarty@tulane.edu
Class
Description:
Radio is truly a ubiquitous mass medium that reaches nearly every person in the United States. From the most rural communities to the largest metropolitan markets, radio offers listeners music, news and entertainment free of charge. Whether listeners tune in from their vehicles, homes or offices, radio is everywhere.
This class is designed to analyze the art and craft of radio including its programming content, business operations and strategies in attracting and retaining audiences. This class depends on your participation and you are expected to share opinions and examples of what you find occurring on radio.
Class
Textbook:
The
text for this course is The Radio
Broadcasting Industry by Alan B. Albarran and Gregory G. Pitts, published by
Allyn & Bacon. Additionally, articles from periodicals and Web sites will be
utilized.
Class
Requirements:
There will be a variety of
assignments that reflect the information presented in class and demonstrate your
ability to provide your own critical analysis of the art and craft of radio. Keeping up with the assigned textbook
readings and advance listening of assigned radio stations is
essential!
Assignments:
Station Analysis (10
required) Radio Term
Paper Mid-Term
Exam Final
Exam |
|
25% of
grade 25% of
grade 25% of
grade 25% of
grade |
Grading:
A- to
A B- to
B+ C- to
C+ D- to
D+ F |
|
90% -
100% 80% -
89% 70% -
79% 60% -
69% 59% and
below |
Class
Outline:
CLASS |
TOPIC |
ASSIGNMENT |
READINGS |
Jul
3 |
Class
Introduction –
|
Station Analysis
1 |
|
Jul
5 |
Broadcast Radio: It’s
Everywhere |
Station Analysis
2 |
Chapter
1 |
Jul
10 |
A Brief History of Radio and its
Technology |
Station Analysis
3 |
Chapter
2 |
Jul
12 |
Radio Regulation (and
Deregulation) |
Station Analysis
4 |
Chapter
3 |
Jul
17 |
The Management and Economics of
Radio |
Station Analysis
5 |
Chapter
4 |
Jul
19 |
Radio Programming &
Formats |
Station Analysis
6 |
Chapter
5 |
Jul
24 |
Mid-Term
Exam |
|
|
Jul
26 |
NO
CLASS |
|
|
Jul
31 |
Radio
Advertising
|
Station Analysis
7 |
Chapter
6 |
Aug
2 |
Research and Audience
Measurement
|
Station Analysis
8 |
Chapter
7 |
Aug
7 |
Non-Commercial (Public)
Radio
|
Station Analysis
9 |
Chapter
8 |
Aug
9 |
Radio Leaders and Innovators
and the Future of Radio |
Station Analysis
10 |
Chapters 9,
10 |
Aug
14 |
Final
Exam |
|
|
Please
note:
·
No make up of exams is
allowed unless prior arrangements have been made with instructor by either phone
or email; also Mid-Term and Final exams, if missed, must be taken within one (1)
week.
·
Using someone else’s work
as your own is considered academic
dishonesty and plagiarism. This is
not allowed and will be handled as described in the Tulane Honor
Code.
Radio
Term Paper:
Radio is currently in a state of change, from technology and programming to its innovators and even its businesses model.
To further your understanding of the Art and Craft of Radio, you will prepare a written research paper on an aspect of radio. You may select any radio topic of interest; however advance instructor approval is required.
The objective of
this assignment is to foster new knowledge of the radio industry and the impact
on its audiences. To this end, your grade will be based on the thoroughness and thoughtfulness of your
topic and your observations of its implications for radio listeners. TO
successfully complete this assignment, your selection of topic should be narrow
in focus. That is, do not attempt to write about broad matters impacting radio
broadcasting. Rather, choose a subject that is specific or specialized to one
area of the radio industry.
REQUIREMENTS
Prepare a written report on
any topic of interest within the radio industry.
Each
student must submit a proposal with a brief outline of the topic for their
project on July 17th.
It should be no more than
3 pages in length and cover these specific elements:
·
Background –
situation information about the topic
·
Issues – the
various positions, side or concerns dealing with topic
·
Relevance to
Listeners – summary of impact on audiences and/or society due to
topic
Format
the paper with one-inch margins and a type size of 12 points. Assignment should
be no more than 3 pages in length. Please do not submit critiques in a
presentation folder or binder.