Syllabus

Course Description:

Critical discussion and analyses of the social, cultural, economic, political, technological and institutional forces governing the exchange of mediated information across national frontiers

Course Objectives:

This course is intended to introduce students to the basic concerns relating to planned and/or incidental cross-national interactions. Since communication is a foundation for international relations, the course should enhance students ability to evaluate and make informed decisions about global communication issues. Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

1. Conceptualize the various forms of global interaction, including communication by electronic means, cross-cultural communication, etc.;

2. Understand why it is important to study international communication;

3. Evaluate the normative and working theories and frameworks used to explain the nature and conduct of communication across national frontiers;

4. Gain an introductory knowledge to the literature on international communication;

5. Critically examine the implications of many issues surrounding international communication; and

6. Examine the principles, processes and complexities associated with international communication.

Required Texts:

Daya Kishan Thussu, International Communication: Continuity and Change (New York: Oxford University Press, 2001).

Hamid Mowlana, Global Information and World Communication: New Frontiers in International Relations (Second Edition, 1997).

Note: Additional readings may be kept on reserve at the Dean B. Ellis Library. At appropriate times, you will be directed to specific articles in that collection and are expected to read them, in addition to the assigned readings listed in this syllabus. Other required readings cited in full in the syllabus are also on reserve at the library. Please note that your readings will include more than the stipulated materials. You will also be expected to read international newspaper and journal articles, as assigned by the professor, and at least one elite newspaper on a daily basis. Unless stated otherwise, all readings are due on the date specified in the syllabus.

Supplementary Texts:

Ngugi wa Thiong'o, Moving The Centre: The Struggle For Cultural Freedoms (Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann, 1993).

Mark D. Alleyne, News Revolution: Political and Economic Decisions About Global Information (New York: St. Martin’s, 1997).

Ella Shohat & Robert Stam, Unthinking Eurocentrism: Multiculturalism and the Media (London: Routledge, 1994.

Mark D. Alleyne, International Power and International Communication (New York: St. Martin's, 1995)

Instructional Method

The class will use the format of lectures, discussions and readings. Occasionally, video materials may be used to provide "an insider's view" to course materials.

Attendance and Other Ground Rules:

A broadcast or cable general manager expects his or her staff to report to work each day. But attendance is not enough. You can’t just show up for work. Employees must actively participate in the operation of the station. Based on this notion, I expect you to attend every class meeting, be on time for each session, and be an active class participant. If at the end of the term it appears to me that you have not attended class regularly, have not been punctual, or participated in discussions, your class activity grade will be lowered. In my mind, I award everyone an “A” for attendance and participation. Poor attendance and participation can result in a substantial loss of points in this grade category. Five absences will result in a ten point reduction in the student’s Class Assignment grade.

Students will be responsible for all lecture materials, class reports, projects and handouts. Students missing any class material will be doing so at their own risk. Makeups and extensions will not be permitted on assignments missed due to an absence. Any graded work missed due to an absence will earn a zero.

Students obligated to other activities that might preclude their regular attendance in this class should plan to take the class at another time when attendance can be assured.

All readings and other class assignments must be competed on schedule. Again, makeups or late assignments will not be accepted. Assignments that are to be turned in during class time are due at the beginning of the class period.

Student athletes will have 24 hours from the date of their return to class from a university related activity to make up any missed work. Work not made up during this 24 hour period will receive a zero ("0"). It is the student's responsibility to make arrangements with the instructor regarding the completion of make up work, within the specified period.

Assignments handed in more than 30 minutes after the deadline lose 5 points automatically, and then they lose a further 5 points for each day late. An Incomplete grade is not available in this course. The grading and other procedures set down in this syllabus are non-negotiable. The syllabus means what it says. Students who miss quizzes and examinations receive zero points. Only verifiable medical excuses, signed by a physician on his or her stationery, are acceptable. The submission of written work in very faded print that is difficult to read will be considered a rude gesture, will be automatically penalized 5 points, and will be returned to the student for reprinting within a time frame set by the professor. Plagiarism is a violation of university rules and will be penalized according to university regulations.

Assignment

Term Paper: Each student will prepare a research paper on any worthy topic of relevance to international communication. The actual length of the paper will be determined by the amount of information necessary to adequately cover the topic. However, since a shortage of information on any topic is not anticipated, the paper’s length should between 15 and 20 pages, excluding appendixes, references and the like. The paper must be conceptually sound. It must state its objectives clearly at the beginning and accomplish those objectives in the body through an appropriate research methodology. An adequate number of references must be used.

Examinations:

There will be three in-class exams including the comprehensive final. This means that any material in the text book, lecture, and class reports will be fair game for questions. Students must, therefore, keep ahead of the class in all readings.

Final Exam Schedule: Thursday, April 28, 2004, from 7:15 to 9:15 p.m.

Grading:

Grades are not given in any of your classes; you earn them. Your earned grade in the class will depend on how much work you put into your assignments, outside readings and projects. To earn an "A" grade, you must consistently produce excellent work. For a "B" you must consistently produce good work. A "C" will be earned for satisfactory work, a "D" for poor but passing performance and an "F" for failure. Your final grade will be the average of the following elements: Exam One (10%); Exam Two (10%); Comprehensive Final (15%); Class Assignments (20%); Research paper (45%) The grading scale is as follows: 92 - 100=A; 82 - 91=B; 71 - 81=C; 62 - 70=D; 61 and below =F. Class assignments may also include in-class quizzes on readings or lecture materials.

Safety Statement:

"This course may require the use of hazardous chemicals or equipment hat the University Safety Committee recognizes as potentially hazardous to a student's safety and health. Every instructor is required to provide instructional information and training on safe handling and usage procedures prior to engaging students in the use of hazardous chemicals or equipment. In addition, students are advised to notify the instructor or laboratory supervisor of any medications or conditions that may impair their mental alertness and/or their ability to safely engage in the use of any hazardous chemical or equipment. All students should participate in the use of hazardous chemicals and equipment only under the direct supervision of the instructor or by approval of the instructor, using recommended methods and procedures. Failure to adhere to the outlined safety precautions could result in disciplinary action."

Cell Phone/Pager Policy:

All cell phones and pagers and other personal communication devices must be turned off before class commences; no exceptions. Please advice anyone who may have the need to reach you by cell phone or pager to do so after class. It is your responsibility to make your class schedule available to all prospective callers.

Tentative General Outline

Week 1 - Definitions / Overview of topics

I Why study International Communication.

II Origins and history of research in International Communication

III The structure of international communication

Video: "British Broadcasting Corporation in the 1990s " (58 minutes) … and discussion

Introductory essay: Write an essay about yourself. It could describe your family, the neighborhood where your family lives, your goals in life, your interests outside of the classroom (such as hobbies and sports), why you came to the Arkansas State University, and your experience at the university so far. This essay must be completed in class.

Week 2 - Global contexts for international communication

Required Reading: Hamid Mowlana. Global Information and World Communication, Chapter 4.

Week 3 - Concepts/Theories governing international media operations.

The Framework of International Communication Policy-Making

Required Reading: Alleyne, IP & IC, chapters 1 & 2.

Week 4 - International Communications Policy Reform

Required Reading: Alleyne, IP & IC, chapter 6; Alleyne, News Revolution, chapter 4 & appendix 7; Pierre de Senarclens, "The Smashed Mirror of Past Illusions," Society, vol. 22, (1985), no. 6, pp. 6-14.

Week 5 - The international politics of news

Global news and information flows

Video: “The Global Eye”

Video: "Reuters — The Story Behind the News Agency "

Required Reading: Alleyne, News Revolution, chapters 1, 5, & 6. Alleyne, News Revolution, chapter 7 & appendices 3-6; Shohat & Stam, chapter 3.

Week 6 - International propaganda

Video: "Propaganda and the Nazis" (1995) D810.P7 G2 1995

Required Reading: Alleyne, IP & IC, chapter 5.

Week 7 - International propaganda … continued

Video: “Turning up the volume on international radio " (68 minutes)

Required Reading: Alleyne, News Revolution, chapter 3 & appendices 1 & 2; Jamie F. Metzl, “Information Intervention — When Switching Channels Isn’t Enough,” Foreign Affairs, vol. 76, no. 6, pp. 15-20.

Review for mid-term examination

Week 8 - MID-TERM EXAMINATION

Week 9 - Review of Mid-term Examination

I The issue of Globalization

II The Internet and Globalization

Video: “Globalization: Winners and Losers” (42 minutes) HF1379.G56 2000

Required Reading: Alleyne, News Revolution, chapter 2.

Week 10 - The politics of language

Video: "Language and Communication" (29 minutes) P90.L36 1994

Required Reading: Wa Thiong'o, chapters 4 & 9; David D. Laitin, "The Cultural Identities of a European State," Politics and Society, vol. 25, no. 3, Sept.1997; Joshua A. Fishman, "The New Linguistic Order," Foreign Policy, Winter 1998-1999 issue

Week 11 - SPRING BREAK — March 19 - 23

Week 12 - Media and Cultural Imperialism

I Consequences of international trade in cultural products

II Trade Policy Issues

Required Reading: Alleyne, IP & IC, chapter 3.

Week 13 - International cultural representation issues: (Identity, Race and Power)

International Communication and Popular Cultural Discourse

Video and discussion: Movie (title to be announced later)

17.Video: "The Effect of TV on Culture in India"

Required Reading: Wa Thiong'o, chapters 1, 2, 5, & 12; Shohat & Stam, chapter 1, Shohat & Stam, chapter 2; Wa Thiong'o, chapters 14, 15, 16 &

Week 14 - Summary of international communication issues

Review for Final Examination

Week 15 - Paper presentations

Week 16 - Final Examination:

Please note the date and time of the examination on university Class Schedule.