The course is an examination of the organization and function systems of communications media around the world.  It is designed to assess our human experience as an American, by exploring the socio-cultural, economic, political, and scientific/technical impact of communications media on the diverse societies of other countries.

Objectives:

To compare U.S. systems and policies of communications with that of other countries.

To evaluate the strength and weakness of U.S. communications policy and that of other countries.

To develop a greater cultural awareness of the world.

To understand the various governance structures in world communications.

To understand the UNESCO New World Information and Communication Order.

To outline dimensions of international communications practice that impacts the U.S.

To understand the scope of influence that communications plays in today's world and that of tomorrow.

To be able to evaluate the sociocultural, economic, political and scientific/technical impact of communications on different

countries and peoples in different regions of the world.

Required Textbook:  Kamalipour, Y. R. (2002).  Global communication.  Belmont, CA:  Wadsworth/Thomas Learning.

Resource Materials:

1.     REQUIRED:  INFOTRAC: On-line library for this course.  Password required and supplied free with the textbook.

2.     Websites:  Global Media Monitor www.globalmediamonitor.com

Electronic Journal:  Global Media Journal www.globalmediajournal.com

CNN:  www.cnn.com CNN International: http://edition.cnn.com/

CNN Student News: http://cnnstudentnews.cnn.com/fyi/index.html

Knight Ridder/Tribune: http://www.krtdirect.com/index.htm

Knight Ridder/Tribune International: http://www.krtinternational.com/international/index.htm

International Comm Resources (Prof. Shelton Gunaratne) http://www.mnstate.edu/gunarat/ijr/ic.html  also

www.europemedia.net   www.iwantmedia.com/news/index   www.fas.harvard.edu/~mideast/links.html http://www.bacons.com/ http://dir.yahoo.com/News_and_Media/ http://www.comminit.com/index.html

3.     HOMEDIRS:  MOORERC  (Public File)  COM 251 FOLDER

            List of department and college periodicals available in High Library and department resource room (S205).

International Communications Bibliographies:  High Library; Dr. Moore’s Book Collection; International Com. Research Articles (in Dr. Moore’s Office); African Com. Research Articles (in Dr. Moore’s Office); Developmental Communication Research Articles (in Dr. Moore’s Office.)

4.     The WWW Virtual Library   http://www.vlib.org/

The WWW Virtual Library:  International Affairs Resources:  http://www.etown.edu/vl

The WWW Virtual Library:  International Communications Resources:  http://www.etown.edu/vl/intlcomm.html

5.   Interlibrary loan of books and periodicals.

6.   Computer searches of a variety of databases thorough High Library:  http://www.etown.edu/library/ click on databases.

7.     Short Wave Radio (Available from Dr. Moore)

8.     Satellite television facilities, Media Services, Steinman Rm. 100

Course Policies:                                                        Attendance

      It is expected that all students attend every class and be on time.  Absences severely handicap the learning process because you are unable to acquire knowledge through firsthand discussions and demonstrations.  Being late for class interrupts the momentum of the class and distracts other students.

      A STUDENT MAY MISS TWO CLASS SESSIONS WITHOUT PENALTY.  HOWEVER, ON EACH

SUCCESSIVE ABSENCE, A GRADE REDUCTION WILL BE MADE FROM THE COURSE FINAL GRADE.  Therefore, safe keep allowed absences for illness.  Work or tests missed as a result of an absence will only be made up by PRIOR arrangements with the instructor.  Unless allowed to be made up, a grade of 0 will be given.

      Absences beyond two will be permitted only for students’ participation in intercollegiate athletics.  Tests/quizzes are to be taken in advance of the absence.  No extension will be given for work due.  It is possible that on certain days (or regarding certain projects) an absence may not be acceptable.  Excessive absences for athletics may cause the instructor to not permit further absences.  In any case, once two absences have occurred, the only permissible absence, without penalty, is for athletics, when permitted.

Documentation Standards

APA Style is the only acceptable standard for citing references and quotations/sources in all projects and the research paper.

Code of Integrity

It is expected that students will represent as their work only that which is indeed theirs and that they will strive to behave toward one another with civility and respect for the rights of others.  Breaches integrity will be dealt with following the procedures outlined in the student handbook.

Miscellaneous

1.   ALL WORK MUST BE NEATLY TYPED.  Incorrect spelling, grammar, and typographical errors will detract from the grade.  You may not correct typos by scratching out the error or writing in the correction.

2.   ALL WORK MUST BE SUBMITTED ON TIME (defined as the beginning of the class period on the day due.) Late submission without prior knowledge and consent of the instructor will not be permitted and the project will earn an F.

3.   All oral presentations cited are to be formal presentations demonstrating excellent oral skills, presentation skills, and accompanying professional visuals and other materials.  No manuscripts are permitted for these presentations, only note cards.

Course Requirements

1.   Group Report                  20%

2.     Final Project                   30%

3.     Special Project                30%

4.     Final Exam                    20%

GROUP REPORT:  In groups of two, students will present a fifteen-minute instructional report on a current topic in international communications related to those listed for the date in the calendar or a single topic drawn from the immediately previous chapters. The report must have an international focus and present a summary of the topic in general, discuss specific issues regarding the topic, and draw relevance to the class.  Media should be used in the presentation (but only as brief supplemental material).  Citations of research sources are expected.  Each student is expected to participate equally in the development and presentation of the report.

FINAL PROJECT: The final project is an in-depth, mediated, oral presentation of communications/media in a particular foreign country.  The project should examine the socio-cultural, economic, and political impact of communications/media in that country, noting historical, current and future concerns.  A well-balanced variety of properly documented research sources are to be used INCLUDING original country sources.  At the presentation, a written bibliography of cited sources are to be submitted.  Fifteen minutes.  Each student in the class is to be presented with an electronic packet of materials from the report (not a copy of the speech).  The packet will be printed and submitted to the instructor.  Students will be given HOMEDIRS Public Folder details for retrieval of the packet.  Contacts and work on the project must begin the first week of class.

SPECIAL PROJECTS:  Students are to pick ONE of the two projects to complete for the last portion of their grade.

SPECIAL PROJECT 1:  Attend 3 film screenings and write an analysis of each. NOT A SUMMARY.  Research sources are to be utilized to give depth to the analysis and must be cited.  The 3-page analysis is due at the next class.

a.      CRY FREEDOM                             

b.     SALVADOR                             

c.      WELCOME TO SARAJEVO       

SPECIAL PROJECT 2: Compile a notebook of on-going correspondence with one or more foreign pen pals.  The correspondence should discuss topics covered in class or communications related issues in the media.  The focus of the discussions should be to elicit a foreign view on those issues.  Locate foreign media professionals/journalists, media students, or communications educators on the Web and establish ground rules that at least one contact and one reply a month is required (total of 3 interactions minimum.)  The notebook is to be submitted for review on the same dates as film reviews.  Quality of reply is assessed as part of the grade.  Follow up may be necessary in order to secure a meaningful reply.

Grading              All work will be graded on a numerical scale of 1-10

                        9.3   A+                  9.0   A              8.7   A-

                        8.3   B+             8.0   B               7.7   B-

                        7.3   C+                  7.0   C              6.7   C-

                        6.3   D+                  6.0   D              5.7   D-
COURSE CALENDAR

FINAL EXAM: Date, Time

The Instructor reserves the right to alter course content or adjust the pace of assignments to accommodate class progress.