Syllabus Course Calendar

1⃣ RED-FLAG DATES (these are the ones that blindside people)

If you do nothing else, protect these.

🚨 Early semester pile-up (Weeks 1–3)

• Jan 25 → DB 1 AND AI pledge

• Feb 1 → Media Diary 1

• Feb 8 → Media Diary 2

• Feb 9 → Content Project 1

👉 This is the first danger zone. Four deliverables in ~2 weeks.

Rule:
By Jan 31, you should already be thinking about Content Project 1. Do NOT wait until Feb 6–8.

🚨 Pre-midterm crunch (Weeks 5–6)

• Feb 22 → Canvas Quiz 1

• Mar 1 → Media Diary 3

• Mar 2 → Content Project 2

• Mar 5–6 → Midterm Exam

👉 This is the heaviest academic week of the semester.

Rule:
Project 2 must be basically done by Feb 27 or you’ll feel crushed.

🚨 End-of-semester fatigue zone (Weeks 13–14)

• Apr 19 → Media Diary 5

• Apr 26 → DB 5

• Apr 27 → Content Project 3

• May 7–8 → Final Exam

👉 This is where motivation dies if you’re behind.

Rule:
Finish Project 3 by April 24, even though it’s due the 27th.

2⃣ DROP-IN CALENDAR (copy this)

Below is how I’d literally put this into a calendar.

🔁 Weekly recurring blocks (non-negotiable)

• WED 6:00–7:00 PM → COMM 260 work block

• FRI 3:00–3:30 PM → Submit / DB replies / check Canvas

If you honor only these two blocks, you stay ahead.

📅 WEEK-BY-WEEK MAP

Week 1 (Jan 20–26)

• Tue/Thu: Watch Bo Burnham: INSIDE

• Sat Jan 24 → Draft DB 1

• Sun Jan 25 → Submit DB 1 + AI pledge

🧠 Mindset: light analysis, don’t overthink

Week 2 (Jan 27–Feb 2)

• Readings + American Vandal

• Fri Jan 30 → Draft Media Diary 1

• Sun Feb 1 → Submit Media Diary 1

Week 3 (Feb 3–9) ⚠

• Algorithm lectures + screening

• Wed Feb 4 → Start Media Diary 2

• Sun Feb 8 → Submit Media Diary 2

• Mon Feb 9 → Submit Content Project 1

⚠ This week matters. Stay structured.

Week 4 (Feb 10–16)

• Early media lectures

• Sat Feb 14 → Draft DB 2

• Sun Feb 15 → Submit DB 2

Week 5 (Feb 17–23)

• Business of media

• Sun Feb 22 → Canvas Quiz 1

Week 6 (Feb 24–Mar 2) ⚠⚠

• Ideology lectures

• Fri Feb 27 → Project 2 mostly done

• Sun Mar 1 → Media Diary 3

• Mon Mar 2 → Content Project 2

🚨 Do NOT start Project 2 after Feb 27.

Week 7 (Mar 3–6)

• Mar 5–6 → MIDTERM EXAM

• No in-person class

🧠 Exam is about concepts + screenings, not vibes.

Week 8 (Mar 10–16)

• Representation lectures

• Sun Mar 15 → DB 3

Week 9 (Spring Break)

• NOTHING

• Optional: light review only

Week 10 (Mar 24–30)

• Media across borders

• Sun Mar 29 → Media Diary 4

Week 11 (Mar 31–Apr 6)

• Video games & media

• Sun Apr 5 → DB 4

Week 12 (Apr 7–13)

• Superhero cinema

• Sun Apr 12 → Canvas Quiz 2

Week 13 (Apr 14–20) ⚠

• Pop music lectures

• Sun Apr 19 → Media Diary 5

Week 14 (Apr 21–27) ⚠⚠

• Media regulation & misinformation

• Sun Apr 26 → DB 5

• Mon Apr 27 → Content Project 3

🚨 Finish Project 3 by Apr 24.

Week 15 (Apr 28–May 8)

• Final screening

• May 7–8 → FINAL EXAM (Canvas)

3⃣ THE THREE RULES THAT KEEP THIS CLASS FROM GOING BAD

✅ Rule 1: Never let two deliverables overlap

If one thing is due Sunday, the next thing starts Monday.

✅ Rule 2: Media Diaries are analytical, not emotional

Always answer:

• What is the media?

• Why does it matter?

• What power does it have?

That alone keeps grades solid.

✅ Rule 3: Projects are explained, not perfected

Simple TikTok + clear explanation = better than flashy + vague.

Final, honest assessment

This class is:

• workload-heavy but predictable

• far more structured than ENGL

• manageable if you touch it twice a week

You are not forcing yourself blindly this time — you now have a visible runway.

If you want next, I can:

• pre-outline Media Diary 1 based on Bo Burnham

• give you a Project 1 template

• or build this into a Notion/Google Calendar export

Just say which one.