MEDIA LAW (JOUR 3633)
If you want to make an A in Shurlds' class, then it is very important to go to every class. Missing one day of notes can cause you at least a letter grade on a test. She covers a lot of material, so print out her outlines and bring them to class. Do NOT buy the optional book (Middleton). You will be wasting your money. She covers everything in class. Also, make sure you know what the key words are on every test.
Cooperate fully with your team members. Have a jump drive with all
your abstracts on it. Go to the law library because there is
exponentially more information there than at Mullins. Don't miss the
lectures.
It helps to listen carefully to examples Shurlds gives when lecturing and apply them to your studying. Take notes, adding to the outline, during the lecture. Don't rely totally on just the typed outline.
Be sure to stay on track. This class is not easy by any means. However, it can be one of your most loved and remembered classes. I got more out of this class than most of my other classes put together. Mrs. Shurlds is a great teacher. If you go to class, her lecture is twice as good as the notes on the Web.
5 Easy Steps: Go to class. Pay attention to the lecture; it's interesting. Keep your notebook in order. Discuss with classmates (use hypotheticals; they help you understand the law better). Stay on schedule; don't get behind.
Definitely print off the notes from the Web site. It is so much easier to follow along in class than to try and write it all down. Also, study in groups. This will help big time. You'll find out if you really know the material by explaining it to others.
Do not procrastinate. There is too much information to assimilate in one night. Stay ahead of deadlines in regard to the MLR. Learn to put as much information as possible on a 3 x 5.
Study in groups. Do not miss class. The MLR project is easier than it sounds. You just have to put forth the effort.
Come to class and you'll get the information you need to do well on tests. Make good use of your 3 x 5 card.
I would suggest using your notecard for essay question info and studying the other info by memorization -- since the essay questions are worth the most points. I would also clearly label, separate and organize all group work so the final compilation of the MLR is less intimidating and stressful.
The best advice I can give is to come to class EVERY DAY. Print off the chapter reviews before class and add to those notes during class. Pay attention to the hypotheticals given in class.
Tell Shurlds immediately if one of your team members stops helping out. Also it is important to help your team with all parts of the MLR.
Find people in the class you know or meet someone in the class and work with them. It is very helpful when studying for tests, getting missed notes, etc.
Come to class and take notes. The lectures are interesting and instead of having to study for the test, you will just need to review. Use size 6 font to make your notecard.
Pay attention to the current events. Read the book (Plopper if it's in there, reserve Middleton if not) for confusing or complicated topics -- helps explain it further.
Once you have been assigned to groups, make sure you get everyone's contact information, especially e-mail. Also do not wait until the last minute to put together the media law final report because it takes longer than it seems.
Make sure to read the test questions a couple of times each. Be precise when answering test questions.
Check the Web page a lot. The study guides on there are essential. Also, when you work on your report, get your abstract sources early, especially the books. Going to the law library at 7 a.m. on the day that everything is due really sucks.
This class is not as hard as people make it out to be. All you have to do is come to class, take notes and follow instruction. Refer to the Web site often -- it is likely to answer all your questions.
Study very hard for the first test.
Print everything off at the very beginning and make a big notebook.
Don't worry about not doing that well on tests. Concentrate more on group work -- the MLR.
Sit up front so you can hear. Don't give up!
The deadlines for the MLR sneak up on you faster than you realize. Also, FEAR the abstracts!
Don't just go to class, but go to class AND pay attention. Shurlds is pretty obvious when dropping hints about what is going to be on the exam. Don't stress too much about the final MLR report. Focus on helping your team out. Their evaluation of you is worth a lot!
Use Nexis-Lexis. It's easy.
Get organized from the start. Organization is your biggest help in this class. If you need help, ask. Professor Shurlds is more than willing to help you.
Don't rely totally on your notecard for a test. Be sure and study all of your notes as well. If you attend class and listen, the class really isn't very hard.
Confront Mrs. Shurlds with any questions for a thorough explanation.
Study in groups. Some people remember examples better than others. Make a notecard. You'll remember everything you wrote on it and probably not need it during the exam.
Listen very carefully in class to specific phrases like "end run" and "breathing space" and use those exact words in your essay on the test.
The media law report work helps you learn information presented in class lecture, so take it seriously. Also, ask questions when you feel you are getting confused or don't completely understand something.
Talk to Shurlds before the first exam and have a clear understanding of the format of her test.