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Graduate Course Proposal Form Submission Detail - MMC6448
Tracking Number - 5076

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Current Status: Approved by SCNS - 2016-07-01
Campus: Tampa
Submission Type: New
Course Change Information (for course changes only):
Comments: GC reviewed - pending program fit. Emailed 10/12/15. Replacing MMC 6421 (6) with MMC 6445 (3) and 6446 (3). Cat Copy Recd. To GC Approved. SCNS apprd Nmbr 6446 as 6448 eff 7/1/16

Detail Information

  1. Date & Time Submitted: 2014-09-29
  2. Department: Mass Communications
  3. College: AS
  4. Budget Account Number: 124700
  5. Contact Person: Samuel Bradley
  6. Phone: 46934
  7. Email: sbradley3@usf.edu
  8. Prefix: MMC
  9. Number: 6448
  10. Full Title: Qualitative Research Methods in Mass Communications
  11. Credit Hours: 3
  12. Section Type: C - Class Lecture (Primarily)
  13. Is the course title variable?: N
  14. Is a permit required for registration?: Y
  15. Are the credit hours variable?: N
  16. Is this course repeatable?: N
  17. If repeatable, how many times?: 0
  18. Abbreviated Title (30 characters maximum): Qualitative Research Methods
  19. Course Online?: C - Face-to-face (0% online)
  20. Percentage Online: 0
  21. Grading Option: R - Regular
  22. Prerequisites:
  23. Corequisites:
  24. Course Description: Examination of qualitative research methods in mass communications with emphasis on interviewing, observational methods, and data interpretation.

  25. Please briefly explain why it is necessary and/or desirable to add this course: Needed for program/concentration/certificate change
  26. What is the need or demand for this course? (Indicate if this course is part of a required sequence in the major.) What other programs would this course service? All graduate students in Mass Communications must take this course to graduate.
  27. Has this course been offered as Selected Topics/Experimental Topics course? If yes, how many times? No
  28. What qualifications for training and/or experience are necessary to teach this course? (List minimum qualifications for the instructor.) Doctorate degree in field
  29. Objectives: This course reviews the nature of qualitative research, providing a survey of the many different approaches that can be employed within this methodological framework.
  30. Learning Outcomes: By the end of the course, students should: (1) be familiar with various qualitative research methods, (2) be able to critically evaluate qualitative research literature, (3) be able to apply qualitative research methods to design a qualitative study, carry out data collection procedures, analyze data and interpret findings, (4) understand Institutional Research Board (IRB) procedures.
  31. Major Topics: Major course topics include: understanding and designing qualitative research, qualitative research ethnography, observation, fieldwork, in-depth interviewing, focus group interviewing, qualitative data analysis, writing and evaluating qualitative research.
  32. Textbooks: Berger, A. A. (2013) Media and Communication Research Methods: An Introduction to Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage (3rd Edition, ISBN 9781452256573).

    Creswell, J. W. (2013) Qualitative Inquiry & Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage (3rd Edition, 9781412995306)

    Altheide, D. L. (1996) Qualitative Media Analysis. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage (ISBN 9781452230054)

    Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (2009) Washington DC: APA (6th Edition, ISBN 9781433805615)

  33. Course Readings, Online Resources, and Other Purchases:
  34. Student Expectations/Requirements and Grading Policy: Midterm and Final Exams 20%

    In-depth Interviews 15%

    Article Review & Discussant 10%

    Research Paper 40%

    IRB Certifcation 5%

  35. Assignments, Exams and Tests: TAKE-HOME EXAMS

    These exams give you an opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of the readings and class discussion. Your answers will be graded primarily on how well you synthesize the main concepts we have been discussing. Exam questions will be posted on Canvas.

    IN-DEPTH INTERVIEWS ASSIGNMENT

    This is an opportunity to research a mass communication phenomenon, ask informed-interview questions and conduct two in-depth interviews. You will transcribe all of these interviews, analyze for any common patterns and write up results. You may use these interviews for part of your research paper if so desired, otherwise you will interview individuals concerning particular topic.

    ARTICLE REVIEWS & DISCUSSANT ASSIGNMENT

    You will find one article related to a particular qualitative approach and lead discussion during an assigned time during the semester. While you will write up a concise summary of the articles as part of your teaching handout, you will also be encouraged to come up with engaging methods and questions to provoke active discussion among your peers. More details will be provided on Canvas.

    RESEARCH PAPER

    The purpose of the paper is to examine a specific question that is of interest to you that employs a particular qualitative research approach. While you’ll lay the groundwork this semester, eventually your goal should be to present your paper at an academic conference and/or submit it to an appropriate academic journal.

  36. Attendance Policy: Course Attendance at First Class Meeting – Policy for Graduate Students: For structured courses, 6000 and above, the College/Campus Dean will set the first-day class attendance requirement. Check with the College for specific information. This policy is not applicable to courses in the following categories: Educational Outreach, Open University (TV), FEEDS Program, Community Experiential Learning (CEL), Cooperative Education Training, and courses that do not have regularly scheduled meeting days/times (such as, directed reading/research or study, individual research, thesis, dissertation, internship, practica, etc.). Students are responsible for dropping undesired courses in these categories by the 5th day of classes to avoid fee liability and academic penalty. (See USF Regulation – Registration - 4.0101,

    http://usfweb2.usf.edu/usfgc/ogc%20web/currentreg.htm)

    Attendance Policy for the Observance of Religious Days by Students: In accordance with Sections 1006.53 and 1001.74(10)(g) Florida Statutes and Board of Governors Regulation 6C-6.0115, the University of South Florida (University/USF) has established the following policy regarding religious observances: (http://usfweb2.usf.edu/usfgc/gc_pp/acadaf/gc10-045.htm)

    In the event of an emergency, it may be necessary for USF to suspend normal operations. During this time, USF may opt to continue delivery of instruction through methods that include but are not limited to: Blackboard, Elluminate, Skype, and email messaging and/or an alternate schedule. It’s the responsibility of the student to monitor Blackboard site for each class for course specific communication, and the main USF, College, and department websites, emails, and MoBull messages for important general information.

  37. Policy on Make-up Work: The policy on make-up work is determined by the instructor. Students should reference the University Policy on Academic Integrity.
  38. Program This Course Supports: Master of Arts in Mass Communications
  39. Course Concurrence Information:


- if you have questions about any of these fields, please contact chinescobb@grad.usf.edu or joe@grad.usf.edu.