Course Objectives
This course will explore innovation associated with digital entrepreneurship and creativity within organizations. Students will integrate concepts and ideas learned in previous courses, leading to innovation product development. A speaker series will expose students to innovative professionals. This course is the capstone for the Digital Media Innovation degree program.

Upon completion of this course, students will possess the ability to:

      • Identify and evaluate the unique characteristics of innovation as it relates to the media and communication environment
      • Identify and evaluate the characteristics of successful entrepreneurs and companies
      • Understand and explain the difference between and intersection of innovation and entrepreneurship
      • Analyze data assessing an innovation opportunity
      • Design and develop a proposal, prototype and website for an innovative venture


Teaching Methods 
The course this semester is hybrid, a combination of online and in-person modules. It is important that you complete all assignments on time, to be able to progress through this course. This class uses a variety of teaching methods to accommodate various learning styles. Lecture is but one method in which students will be introduced to course concepts. Students are expected to participate in guest speaker sessions, as well as news and current event discussions. The course Web site provides a variety of resources for reinforcement of learning, including downloadable handouts and video tutorials. Students will also participate in online discussions that will further provide an opportunity to communicate and contribute.

Email
You must use an active Texas State email account. Communication via TRACS uses your Texas State email, and the university is required to send grade information out only through the Texas State email system. Make sure you check your email on a regular basis, as schedule changes will be communicated there as well as on TRACS.

Textbooks:
This semester, we will use the textbook Media Innovation and Entrepreneurship. It’s free.  Woo Hoo! You can read it online or download a pdf or other version. You will be asked to do online or handout readings from time to time.

These books are optional and may be of interest to you in the future:

The Lean Startup, Eric Ries

Running Lean, Ash Maurya

Sprint, Jake Knapp from Google Ventures

The Power of Social Innovation, Stephen Goldsmith

The Innovator’s Dilemma, Clay Christensen

The Four Steps to Epiphany, Steve Blank – 1st 3 chapters

#AskGaryVee: One Entrepreneur’s Take on Leadership, Social Media, and Self-Awareness, Gary Vaynerchuk

Grading:

Idea Profile 10% – individual.
Research Your Idea 15% – group project.
Prototype 10% individual project
Project Website 15% individual project
Final Portfolio Will be turned in 2 times 15% (preliminary portfolio 10% and completion with course material at end of semester 5%) individual
Critique of Student Portfolio 5%
Discussion posts  10% individual
Quizzes 10% individual
Participation and attendance 10% individual – excellent participation requires that you are present and prepared for class, ask questions and participate in discussion. Students should be prepared to ask questions of guest speakers. Students should be on time for class and speaker series and should have done all the required work to prepare for the class at the beginning of each period.

See Assignment Page for Details.

There is no extra credit available for this class. Please contact the instructor early in the semester if you are having problems with any of the course requirements.

Late Assignments and Attendance
Assignments for this course are challenging and fun, but the class moves very quickly, so you will not want to fall behind. Missed assignments will receive a grade of F. A student may turn in one (1) assignment late during the semester, if there is an excused reason with prior arrangement with professor. Any other late assignments will receive a grade of F.

Attendance is required in this course. Students are expected to attend every in-person class and complete online assignments by the due date. Since we only meet in person 14 times, if you absolutely must miss, you are allowed one absence.  Any more than that and your overall participation grade will suffer, and it may jeopardize your ability to complete the requirements for the course. There are no excused absences, sickness and work-related absences must be covered within the policy above. Because we cover so much ground in this class and you will be working in groups, it is no coincidence that the best work historically have been turned in by the students with the best attendance. For ANY absence, students will be expected to catch up on their own (with online materials, tutorials and by asking fellow students) and ask only specific questions to the instructor about what they missed. Don’t ask “What did I miss?” or “Did I miss anything?” or “I’m lost” – which is not a question at all.

You must be prepared for any material that you missed on the next class day you attend.

Students (and teachers, too) often learn best from one another, so an open environment is encouraged. Ask questions and help each other.

We will start class at the designated time. It is important that you show up on time, as announcements tend to be made early, and you could miss valuable information. If you arrive later than 5 minutes after the designated time, you will be marked as late. This can affect your participation grade, as well as your ultimate course grade. Some classes may be handled online, instead of in person. Those days will be clearly identified on the outline and via regular communication throughout the semester.

Supplies and Equipment
You will need a USB storage device (Flash drive) to save a backup of your files. You will also receive access to a shared folder on the department server, but it is best to have a backup on disk.

Please retain your Bluehost or Reclaim Hosting site from Web Design. You will be expected to use this platform for your final portfolio.

Use of School-Owned Camera Equipment
This class may utilize the School of Journalism and Mass Communication Equipment Checkout Room. Use of equipment is a privilege earned through your respect of and cooperation with the checkout rules. These rules are put in place to ensure all students have a chance to use the equipment. If you are late returning a camera to the Equipment Checkout Room, you lose all checkout privileges. In addition, a return that is two days late may result in up to a letter deduction on your grade. If equipment is kept five days past the due date, it is considered stolen, and UPD will be notified. This policy includes equipment you may borrow from instructor.

Student Conduct 


In this class, you should feel comfortable to participate and express opinions and ideas. Please respect the opinions of others and be considerate of their need to contribute and learn. Turn off cell phones before entering class, and do not take calls during class. Do not use your phone for text messaging during class. Web browsing, checking email, messaging, Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter, Pokemon Go or other non-related activities during class are not acceptable. Please do not have private conversations with your neighbors during class time, whether the instructor or other students are talking. You may do these things at breaks or during work time, but please use your time wisely.

Any student who does not adhere to these conduct policies will be asked to leave the classroom. In general, please be respectful of others desire to learn and help to create a fun and beneficial classroom environment.

Student work will be displayed on the Web, which means that it will be available to anyone with Internet access and a browser. Please see the instructor if you have any concerns about posting your projects to the Web.

Texas State provides the following guidelines for Student Conduct:

Our Mission

Texas State University is a doctoral-granting, student-centered institution dedicated to excellence and innovation in teaching, research, including creative expression, and service. The university strives to create new knowledge, to embrace a diversity of people and ideas, to foster cultural and economic development, and to prepare its graduates to participate fully and freely as citizens of Texas, the nation, and the world.

Our Shared Values

In pursuing our mission, we, the faculty, staff, and students of Texas State University, are guided by a shared collection of values:

  • Teaching and learning based on research, student involvement, and the free exchange of ideas in a supportive environment;
  • Research and creative activities that encompass the full range of academic disciplines—research with relevance, from the sciences to the arts, from the theoretical to the applied;
  • The cultivation of character, integrity, honesty, civility, compassion, fairness, respect, and ethical behavior in all members of our university community;
  • A diversity of people and ideas, a spirit of inclusiveness, a global perspective, and a sense of community as essential conditions for campus life;
  • A commitment to service and leadership for the public good;
  • Responsible stewardship of our resources and environment; and
  • Continued reflection and evaluation to ensure that our strengths as a community always benefit those we serve.


Dropping a Course
Please take note of Texas State’s drop policy. You can withdraw this or any course by March 31 (Spring 2020) and receive an automatic W. After that date you cannot drop a single course. You must withdraw from all courses. This drop date is much earlier than in the past. See the Dropping/Withdrawing Policy.

Academic Honesty 
The School of Journalism and Mass Communication commits itself to the preparation of mass media professionals and scholars. Such a mission demands the highest standards of academic honesty and integrity. Violations of academic honesty, including but not limited to plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration, collusion, deception, conflict of interest and theft, are not tolerated and can lead to severe penalties. Disciplinary actions for violations of the standards for academic honesty are outlined in the Texas State Academic Honesty Statement and the Texas State Honor Code, printed each year in the Student Handbook.

Note to Students with Disabilities 
Texas State University seeks to provide reasonable accommodations for all qualified individuals with disabilities. This university will adhere to all applicable federal, state, and local laws.    Students with disabilities who need special accommodations should contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS) at (512) 245-3451, and register with that office. ODS is located in Suite 5-5.1 at the LBJ Student Center. If you are a student with a disability certified by ODS and you require accommodations in this class, it is your responsibility to notify the professor no later than the fifth class day of this semester so that accommodations can be discussed and promptly provided.

Instructor may notify you of changes or updates to policies in this syllabus throughout the semester.