International Media
Systems
COMMS 381-002
Winter 2012, Credit
Hours: 3
1:00-2:15, TTH
230 BRMB
Instructor: Clark Callahan Office:
308 BRMB
Email:
clark_callahan@byu.edu Phone: 422-1493
Office
Hours: TTH 2:30-3:30pm
or by appointment
Amber Goodfellow
Required Text:
All readings will be
posted to comms381.blogspot.com
Course Description
International Media Systems is a course designed
to familiarize students with different media systems and approaches in use
around the world. While time limits the depth to which we can study any given
media system, there are some common themes which permeate throughout all
systems.
These themes will serve as the context for
studying and understanding intricate mediated environments.
Course Purpose
The purpose of this course is to help students
understand the nature and complexity of the global media system. Culture plays
a very important part in how these systems are conceived and built, so a study
of the cultural implications will be an important part of this course.
Course Learning Outcomes
1. Demonstrate critical
and independent thinking related to the role of communication and society.
*Relates to Department Learning Objective # 1: Students will become proficient communicators.
*Relates to Department Learning Objective # 1: Students will become proficient communicators.
2. Gain a respect and
understanding of diversity of peoples, cultures, and approaches to
communication.
Relates to Department Learning Objective # 3: Students will be prepared to contribute to their societies
Relates to Department Learning Objective # 3: Students will be prepared to contribute to their societies
Student Learning Goals
It is important that you set individual goals for
yourself during this course. You will be asked to write these down and share
them with me during the first month of the course. These goals could be broad or they could be
very individual. Whatever you decide make sure that they are both meaningful
and achievable.
Course Policies
Students are expected to attend class,
arrive on time, and remain until class is dismissed. Also, please make sure cell phones and pagers
do not ring during class.
Inform me if an emergency prevents you from
submitting an assignment on its due date.
If you are absent during your scheduled presentation, you will be
penalized unless you provide proof on an excused absence. If you
are absent/tardy for any reason, you are responsible for the material covered
and any announcements made. Attendance is mandatory. Those who miss more than three (3) class
periods will be deducted five (5) points for each additional absence. Please use those
Academic Honesty
The first injunction of the BYU Honor Code is the
call to be honest. Students come to the university not only to improve their
minds, gain knowledge, and develop skills that will assist them in their life’s
work, but also to build character. President David O. McKay taught that
“character is the highest aim of education” (The Aims of a BYU Education, p.
6). It is the purpose of the BYU Academic Honesty Policy to assist in
fulfilling that aim. BYU students should seek to be totally honest in their
dealings with others. They should complete their own work and be evaluated
based upon that work. They should avoid academic dishonesty and misconduct in
all its forms, including but not limited to plagiarism, fabrication or falsification,
cheating, and other academic misconduct.
Honor Code
In keeping with the principles of the BYU Honor
Code, students are expected to be honest in all of their academic work.
Academic honesty means, most fundamentally, that any work you present as your
own must in fact be your own work and not that of another. Violations of this
principle may result in a failing grade in the course and additional
disciplinary action by the university. Students are also expected to adhere to
the Dress and Grooming Standards. Adherence demonstrates respect for yourself
and others and ensures an effective learning and working environment. It is the
university’s expectation, and my own expectation in class, that each student
will abide by all Honor Code standards. Please call the Honor Code Office at
422-2847 if you have questions about those standards.
Plagiarism
Writing submitted for credit at BYU must consist
of the student's own ideas presented in sentences and paragraphs of his or her
own construction. The work of other writers or speakers may be included when
appropriate (as in a research paper or book review), but such material must
support the student's own work (not substitute for it) and must be clearly
identified by appropriate introduction and punctuation and by footnoting or
other standard referencing.
The substitution of another person's work for the
student's own or the inclusion of another person's work without adequate
acknowledgment (whether done intentionally or not) is known as plagiarism. It
is a violation of academic, ethical, and legal standards and can result in a
failing grade not only for the paper but also for the course in which the paper
is written. In extreme cases, it can justify expulsion from the University.
Because of the seriousness of the possible consequences, students who wonder if
their papers are within these guidelines should visit the Writing Lab or
consult a faculty member who specializes in the teaching of writing or who
specializes in the subject discussed in the paper. Useful books to consult on
the topic include the current Harcourt Brace College Handbook, the MLA
Handbook, and James D. Lester's Writing Research Papers.
Preventing Sexual Harassment
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
prohibits sex discrimination against any participant in an educational program
or activity that receives federal funds. The act is intended to eliminate sex
discrimination in education. Title IX covers discrimination in programs,
admissions, activities, and student-to-student sexual harassment. BYU’s policy
against sexual harassment extends not only to employees of the university, but
to students as well. If you encounter unlawful sexual harassment or
gender-based discrimination, please talk to your professor; contact the Equal
Employment Office at 422-5895 or 367-5689 (24-hours); or contact the Honor Code
Office at 422-2847.
Students with Disabilities
Brigham Young University is committed to
providing a working and learning atmosphere that reasonably accommodates
qualified persons with disabilities. If you have any disability which may
impair your ability to complete this course successfully, please contact the
Services for Students with Disabilities Office (422-2767). Reasonable academic
accommodations are reviewed for all students who have qualified, documented
disabilities. Services are coordinated with the student and instructor by the
SSD Office. If you need assistance or if you feel you have been unlawfully
discriminated against on the basis of disability, you may seek resolution
through established grievance policy and procedures by contacting the Equal
Employment Office at 422-5895, D-285 ASB.
Use of Technology in the Classroom
Technology is an essential part of today’s
learning environment, which is why the Marriott School requires every student
to own a laptop. However, when used inappropriately, technology can hinder
learning. Most Marriott School students have sat next to others who use their
laptops or PDA’s in class to check e-mail, talk to friends, instant message,
search the Internet, or play games.
Unfortunately, every person sitting around such students is distracted
by this behavior. As a result of such distraction and its subsequent negative
effects on the learning environment, the Marriott School will implement the
following policy effective Fall Semester, 2006: Using laptops or PDA’s in class
to legitimately take notes or work on class projects is allowed, but all other
use of laptops or PDA’s in class is prohibited.
Please respect your fellow students and professors and abide by this
Marriott School policy.
DEPARTMENT
OF COMMUNICATIONS POLICY ON PROFESSIONALISM:
A key
mission of our department is to prepare students for their eventual workplace
experiences. Whether a Communications graduate pursues a career in
journalism, advertising, public relations, law, business or any other field,
he/she will be evaluated, in part, on professionalism. Because we feel
our responsibility so strongly – and because it is essential to the career
growth of our graduates – the Department of Communications instituted a
Professionalism policy effective at the beginning of Fall Semester 2004.
This policy applies both to students who have been admitted to one of our five
emphases and to pre-communications students. Some key features:
Any major found in violation of the university Honor
Code, especially with regard to cheating and plagiarism, will receive a zero
for the assignment involved, may receive an E in the course and will be
referred to the Honor Code office. Execution of this policy will be at
the instructor’s discretion. In addition, the offending student’s case
will be reviewed by the department chair and/or associate chair for
undergraduate studies. If the offense is sufficiently serious, the
student may be removed from his/her major – no matter how close graduation may
be. A second violation of academic honesty, whether done concurrently or
subsequently, will automatically result in dismissal from the major.
Any pre-communications student found cheating will be
denied the opportunity to apply to any of our five emphases. This
decision rests with the department chair and associate chair for undergraduate
studies.
Students who demonstrate consistently unprofessional
behavior in class may also be dropped from his/her major or not allowed to
apply in the first place. Examples of unprofessional behavior include –
but are not limited to – excessive absences, disruptive behavior, sleeping in
class, chronic tardiness, reading non-course material during class, playing
computer games and/or checking e-mail during class, use of cell phone or
text-messaging, and regularly leaving class early without making arrangements
with the instructor.
Policy
Enforcement: If an instructor
feels he or she has a student in violation of this policy, the following should
be followed:
First warning:
This will come from the instructor. A meeting between the instructor and
the student will be conducted to resolve the issues of unprofessional
behavior. If the violation is excessive enough, the department can be
involved (cases of cheating and plagiarism). Following this consultation,
the professor and student will sign a letter that describes the problem and
subsequent resolution. The department will keep this letter in the
student’s file.
Second warning: This will come from the department (either the Chair or
Associate Chair for Undergraduate Studies). At this time, the student
will be reviewed for removal from the department. Both sides of the case
will be presented to a review committee composed of faculty from the student’s
emphasis, and a decision will follow a deliberation. A letter explaining
the decision must be signed by the members of the committee and will be placed
in the student’s file.
Appeal: The
first appeal will be to the Undergraduate Committee. Second appeal will
be to the Department Chair. Final appeal will be to the College.
Why
a policy on Professionalism? It
begins with the demand for entrance into our emphases and the fact that some
students are being turned away. However, some who are successful in their
pursuit of a particular major then demonstrate unprofessional behavior.
We have decided we would rather take a student who has a less-impressive
academic record but will work diligently than a higher ranking student who
treats the major casually and without respect. A second factor is the
tendency of some majors to “coast” once in an emphasis. This behavior is
potentially serious to a student, who is unlikely to suddenly develop
professionalism if hired by an agency, newspaper or television station,
nonprofit organization or other employer. This, in turn, reflects on the
reputation of the university, our department and the degree conferred.
Our policy is consistent with those already in effect elsewhere in the university.
With thousands of young people desiring to attend BYU – many with an interest
in Communications – we feel an obligation to admit and retain the students who
demonstrate the kind of work ethic and behavior that will enhance our
collective academic and professional performance.
Assignment Descriptions
1) Group Reports and Discussion:
Your main task
in this course is to be placed in groups of four or five students, where you
will choose (or be assigned) one of ten topics listed in the course schedule
and present and lead a discussion on the date specified. Whichever topic you
get must focus on its role or influence on the communication or media system in
a country or region and on the people in those nations or regions. The
presentation/discussion will be worth 80 points from the professor and 20
points from the class. Each group member also will assess for all members of
the group a percentage of the total group score based on how each member
performed or contributed to the total group score. For example, if the work
done by a particular group member was awesome and complete, that person will
likely get 100 percent of whatever score the group is allocated. A group member
who did less than their fair share will be given whatever percentage of the
group grade that person’s peers average out as his or her percentage of the
work.
2) Group Presentation Outlines:
One week to
the day before your group is scheduled to present, you will (as a group) submit
a 2-page outline of your progress toward presentation. This doesn’t have to be
in official outline format—it can be in bullet points or even photocopied
PowerPoints —but it needs to run down what you’ve learned about the topic so
far. Worth 20 points, the outline helps the professor assess that your group is
on the right track toward your presentation.
3) Individual Statement of Interest Paper:
You will write
a two-page (double-spaced) paper explaining your interest in international
communication (an interest in the world helps, but what interests you about communication
systems of the world, specifically?). Explain what you know about global
communication (even if very little, that is fine to admit!), what you would
like to know, and why you feel it is important to know. This paper is due Jan 22
and is worth 25 points.
4) Individual Written Country Comparison:
Each student
will write a 6-7 page paper (double-space) comparing mass and social
media in two nations of your choice. The report is worth 100 points. It will
cover the following: (1) the state of media in those two countries: the
political, cultural or religious system that governs the media and the type of
media system they have; (2) where each falls in media freedom surveys, and what
makes one country more free than the other; (3) issues each country faces with
their media system (technological or infrastructure concerns, media
restrictions, corruption, ethnic or minority group access to media, etc.); (4)
Internet growth or concerns and the implications of this for each nation; and
(5) what the future may hold for the communication system in each nation. You
may hand in a hard copy of this paper any time up until the beginning of class
on March 26.
5) Examinations:
There will be three
exams during class time, covering the assigned readings and class discussions. Each
exam will cover activity since the previous exam, but the third exam will be at
least partly comprehensive, drawing main concepts from throughout the course
(the professor will tell you which concepts will be included on the final exam).
The first two tests are worth 60 points each, and the final exam will be worth
75 points.
6) Blog Responses:
You will be
asked to post a blog response for each of the readings. These do not need to be lengthy, but they
need to be posted by noon (12:00pm) on the day the reading is due. I will read these blog posts and include them
in the discussion for that day.
7) Attendance/Participation:
It is
difficult to conduct a seminar-type course without good attendance and
participation from class members. Your peers, particularly, need this support
when they make their presentations. You will be graded up to 30 points for
attending regularly and showing an interest in the course.
8) For up to
10 points extra credit, you can connect with a university student, reporter,
blogger, or other individual who is now living in at least one of the two
nations you write about and is native to that country (missionaries or students from that nation
who are at BYU or elsewhere in the U.S. now do not count) and add that person’s “expert-witness” report of media there—all
the better if you can get video to share with the class. If you start early in
the semester, there is no reason you cannot find such an individual who would
be willing to supply you information.
Grading Scale:
Statement of
Interest Paper................. 15
pts
Written
Country Comparison ......... 100 pts A.......... 460-500
C............ 340-359
Group Final
Presentation ................... 80
pts A-........ 440-459 C-.......... 320-339
Individual
Percentage of Group Score........... B+........ 420-439
D........... 300-319
Class
Assessment of Group ............... 20
pts B.......... 400-419 E................. <300
Three Exams ..................................... 195
pts B-......... 380-399
Blog Posts........................................... 40
pts C+........ 360-379
Group
Presentation Outline................ 20
pts
Attendance/Participation
……………. 30 pts Total Points ………………….. 500 pts
Course Schedule
Date
|
Topic
|
Presentations
|
Tues Jan 08
|
The Global Media
|
|
Thurs Jan 10
|
||
Tues Jan 15
|
Culture and Language
|
|
Thurs Jan 17
|
||
Tues Jan 22
|
Do We Have a Global
Media?
|
|
Thurs Jan 24
|
||
Tues Jan 29
|
Purposes of Global
Media
|
|
Thurs Jan 31
|
||
Tues Feb 05
|
Exam 1
|
|
Thurs Feb 07
|
Global News
Reporting
|
|
Tues Feb 12
|
Dangers of reporting global news (stories and
examples)
|
|
Thurs Feb 14
|
Global Media
Conglomeration
|
|
Tues Feb 19
|
No Class
|
No Class
|
Thurs Feb 21
|
Global Media
Conglomeration
|
|
Tues Feb 26
|
Disneyfication/McDonalization of society and
implications
|
|
Thurs Feb 28
|
Wire Services and
Print
|
|
Tues Mar 05
|
What are the world’s major newspapers and
magazines? How are they doing?
|
|
Thurs Mar 07
|
Television Systems
|
|
Tues Mar 12
|
Soap operas and telenovelas: purpose, spread,
cultural impact
|
|
Thurs Mar 14
|
Exam 2
|
|
Tues Mar 19
|
Global Radio
|
|
Thurs Mar 21
|
Radio programs as development comms
|
|
Tues Mar 26
|
Major Broadcasters
|
|
Thurs Mar 28
|
Al Jazeera—good or bad
|
|
Tues Apr 02
|
Global Film
|
|
Thurs Apr 04
|
a. Bollywood, China films,
b. Nollywood, African films
|
|
Tues Apr 09
|
Internet and Social
Media
|
|
Thurs Apr 11
|
a. Facebook equivalents in other nations
b. Individual stories behind globalvoicesonline or
ohmynews
|
|
Tues Apr 16
|
Review
|
|
Final
Exam (Exam 3)
|
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