Course Description. The purpose of this class is to explore the notion of community radio in theory and practice. Community radio is a form of media practice that stands as an alternative to both corporate and state communications. It is a media practice that is informed by theories of democratic communication and embraces values such as access, participation, diversity, and dialogue over professionalism, ratings, commercial gain, and propaganda. In this course, students will learn the central historical, theoretical, and practical concepts concerning community radio (also referred to as free, micro, and pirate radio) and will produce long-form features to be aired on KRTU-FM that are guided by those central concepts.
    The course will be divided into two, distinct parts. The early part of the course will be conducted as a seminar, where we will focus on theoretical and descriptive readings in Sakolsky and Dunifer. The latter part of the course will be conducted as a media workshop, where production teams will meet to plan, execute, and evaluate long-form, radio features. Given both the mission of KRTU-FM and the nature of the San Antonio community, the radio features will focus on the arts and culture, defined broadly to include gallery shows, museum exhibits, theatre, music, poetry, literature, and anything else occurring in the local visual and performing arts environment. Our mission is to enrich the San Antonio community through thoughtful reviews and provocative reports of the arts and culture.

Sakolsky, R., and Dunifer, S. (eds.). (1998). Seizing the airwaves: A Free Radio handbook. Edinburgh, Scotland: AK Press.

San Antonio Current

San Antonio Express-News, Friday Weekender section and Sunday SA Life section

2 mini discs, 5 60-minute cassettes, stopwatch

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1. Segment Transition Music, Program Open (5% each)
   
2. Exam (20%)
   
3. Broadcast Features (15% each; 60% total)
   
4. Self-Interview Paper (10%)
   

1. Segment Transition Music & Program Open. These are short recording, editing, and mixing exercises designed to familiarize students with the digital workstations and to select the music that will serve as the soundbeds and transitions for our programs.
2. Exam. An open-book, in-class essay test over the major concepts from the reading.
3. Broadcast Features. Four, 30-minute programs focusing on the arts in San Antonio and produced in teams.
4. Self-Interview Paper/Oral Report. Brief paper that reflects on the semester's productions and integrates radio application with community radio theory.

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1. Attendance (read carefully). Regular attendance is expected. Two absences for any reason are allowed without penalty and should be used like "sick leave." After two absences, students will be penalized 1 point off their final grade in the class for each day missed (final grade based on a 100 point total). The only exceptions to this are excused absences for university business, which must be documented prior to the absence. Students experiencing serious illnesses or family emergencies should either drop the course or speak with the professor, as these situations do not constitute exemptions from the attendance policy. Persistent lateness will be counted as absences. Anyone missing the equivalent of three weeks or more of class will automatically fail the course.
2. Deadlines. Production teams will be given precise deadlines that must be met. Segment producers who cannot meet a deadline may turn in work for half credit no later than one class period following the deadline, however, their work will not be included in the programs broadcast. Show producers cannot miss deadlines for any reason.
3. Written Assignments. Scripts and the final paper are due at the beginning of class on the dates indicated. All work should be typed (or computer printout) and stapled in the upper left hand corner (no plastic spines or covers). All assignments must include name of course and professor, name of assignment, and your name on the first page. All other pages must be numbered. Attention should be paid to both form (grammar, spelling, punctuation, appearance) and content (clarity, organization, relevance). If possible, print all work in 12 point Times font.
4. Exam. No early exam given. Late exam given in cases of documented medical emergencies only.
5. Readings. Students should have the readings completed on the date assigned in the class schedule.
6. Academic integrity. Students are expected to be familiar with the definitions of academic integrity outlined on pages 1 and 2 of the Student handbook, particularly the section on plagiarism. Any violations of academic integrity will be dealt with as outlined in the student handbook.

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