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COM 250, Intersession 2011, W&J College, Fleury
Communication 250: Cultural Diversity and Radio in Aotearoa/New Zealand
Anthony Fleury, Ph.D., Department of Theatre and Communication, Washington & Jefferson College
DESCRIPTION:
This trip to Aotearoa/New Zealand explores relationships between oral expression, community, and culture. As we visit and study community projects, including Maori, Pacific Islander, and public access radio stations, we encounter first-hand an unfamiliar terrain of cultural diversity, urging us to recognize and question our participation in colonial and settler cultures, and to perhaps perceive “home” in a new way. Course conducted in English. No prerequisite. This course counts toward the Communication Arts major and minor, and W&J’s diversity (D) and oral communication (C) general education requirements.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
1. Become familiar with the aesthetics of public radio and the ethics of community radio.
2. Discuss with artists, professionals, and scholars the role of radio in community building.
3. Identify and question relationships between indigenous, settler, and immigrant cultures.
4. Create artful and informative recorded radio pieces, individually and in teams, to be broadcast in stages on radio stations in New Zealand and in full on WNJR as the closing experience of the course.
GRADING (criteria posted on Sakai):
Participation (40%): Discussions and required visits/events—as experiences designed toward collaborative production of knowledge— will be graded on a scale of 0 to 7. Criteria:
Engage assigned material
Interact with multiple colleagues (not only with the professor)
Listen actively
Contribute thoughtfully
Have a positive attitude
Be receptive to criticism and contradictions
Respect the contributions and opinions of others
WNJR liner (ungraded, required): A pre-recorded, two-track liner for the WNJR radio automation system, combining an introductory stinger (noticeable sound effect) and the station call letters (W-N-J-R). Examples (Example 1, Example 2) are posted in Sakai. Due on 7 or 8 January. Post in Podcasts section of Sakai. (This will be considered for inclusion in the WNJR broadcast automation system.)
W&J promo (10%): A promotional recording, with at least two tracks, for Washington & Jefferson College (or a specific aspect of W&J) to be aired on WNJR. Must be exactly 30 seconds in length. May be completed individually or with a partner. An example of a 60-second promo is posted in Sakai. (Note: Your promo should fit with the aesthetics of the WNJR automated music format, which is primarily alternative, electronic, and hip-hop music. The example promo was created for a previous music format of classic rock.) Due on 12 January. Post in Podcasts section of Sakai. (This will be considered for inclusion in the WNJR broadcast automation system.)
Sound Composition (10%): A creative combination of recorded non-vocal sounds (with at least three tracks) to instill in the listener a mood, feeling, or idea. To be completed individually, and all sound must be recorded by you. Must be between 1 and 5 minutes in length. An example (Crows-Songbirds-Melt) is posted in Sakai. Due on 20 January. Post in Podcasts section of Sakai and in Public Radio Exchange.
Individual Documentary (10%): A recorded piece which includes vocal and other sounds (music and/or ambient sound and/or sound effects), with at least three tracks, designed to inform or enlighten the listener. May be narrated or non-narrated. Topic should be related to the course in some way. To be completed individually. Must be between 1 and 5 minutes in length. Examples (Tell Me Wai; Dressy Girls) are posted in Sakai. Due on 27 January. Post in Podcasts section of Sakai and in Public Radio Exchange.
Team Documentary (30%): A recorded piece which includes vocal and other sounds (music and/or ambient sound and/or sound effects), with at least five tracks, designed to inform or enlighten the listener. May be narrated or non-narrated. Topic must be related to course concepts, particularly culture and/or radio. To be completed in a team of two or three students. Must be between 3 and 10 minutes in length, and must clock-in at a precise minute mark (3 minutes, 4 minutes, 5 minutes, etc.). Examples (Tell Me Wai; Dressy Girls) are posted in Sakai. Due on 28 January. Post in Podcasts section of Sakai and in Public Radio Exchange.
Grading criteria for audio projects:
Objective
Audio clarity
Duration
Number of tracks (each audio source is a track)
Submitted in specified location(s) (Sakai, PRX)
MP3 or WAV format (either is acceptable)
Subjective
Quality of concept (attends to aesthetics and ethics of public radio)
Timing
Strategic continuity/discontinuity (“flow” is maintained or disrupted purposefully)
Captures listener attention
EQUIPMENT:
Portable digital recording kits to share with classmates will be provided and must be returned at course closing.
POLICIES:
Verifiable disabilities that affect course performance will be accommodated—let me know as soon as possible. Follow all Washington & Jefferson College Regulations in the College Catalog, including those regarding Class Attendance, Plagiarism and Academic Misconduct, and Incomplete Grades and Grade Changes. Plagiarism or cheating will result in no grade for an assignment and may be grounds for failing the course. Rude or inappropriately behaving students will be dismissed. Turn off cell phones and pagers during planned activities. Do not wear a cap or hat with a bill covering your eyes or shaded glasses during indoor class sessions. Wear appropriate attire. Excessive absenteeism and/or repeated tardiness may be grounds for failing the course. Inappropriate use of substances and/or illegal behavior may result in immediate dismissal from the course. If you are dismissed from the course you will be escorted to the closest airport and must return home on the next available transport at your own expense.
LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM:
Official announcements, readings, assignments, and the schedule on the course Sakai page. W&J Main Website > Quicklinks > W&J Sakai > COM 250
READINGS:
Located in a bound packet (distributed at beginning of course or earlier) and documents posted in Sakai.
LISTENING ASSIGNMENTS:
Located in Sakai. Many are also, and some exclusively (so marked in the schedule), in WNJR’s PRX Playlist New Zealand 2011. Membership (free of charge) in Public Radio Exchange (prx.org) is required.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE (definitive version maintained on the course Sakai wiki):
Preparation
DOWNLOAD:
All files from Resources (section in Sakai available only to students). Save audio files and documents on your laptop so you can have them handy regardless of internet access.
READ:
Mitchell, Lead Us Not Into Temptation: American Public Radio in a World of Infinite Possibilities
Huhndorf, If Only I Were an Indian
Allison, Listen
LISTEN:
The State We're In: Columbus Day Special (PRX ONLY)
The Tribal Beat, 11 March 2007 (especially first segment, interview with Kehaulani Kauanui) (PRX ONLY)
Radiolab: Falling (PRX ONLY)
Hearing Voices: No Place Like Home (PRX ONLY)
· M 3 Jan: Meet at airport (10:30 am); Depart Pittsburgh (1:28 pm)
· Tu 4 Jan: lost to international date line
Hawkes Bay (Napier; Hastings)
· W 5 Jan: Arrive in Napier (10:25 am); van meets us at airport
· Th 6 Jan: Group dinner (pm)
READ:
Wilson, Burning Down the House: Laura Ingalls Wilder and American Colonialism
US Will Sign UN Declaration on Rights of Native People
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Native American Leaders Express Mixed Views on Obama Administration's Progress on Promises
LISTEN:
Indigenous Politics: Settler Colonialism
Radio New Zealand, 5 Feb 10: Treaty Of Waitangi
Radio New Zealand, 23 Apr 10: NZ Ratifies UN Declaration on Rights of Indigenous Peoples
DISCUSS (over dinner and dessert):
Settler Colonialism
· F 7 Jan: Radio Kahungunu (all day)
READ:
Speech by Jacqui Te Kani, 19 May 2008
Statement of Intent, Te Mangai Paho, 2010-2015 (pages 6-31)
LISTEN:
Studs, Natasha, and the Power of Sound (Saltcast 19)
DUE (anytime Friday or Saturday):
WNJR liner, Example 1, Example 2
· Sa 8 Jan: TBD
· Su 9 Jan: Mohaka rafting (all day)
Manawatu/Palmerston North
· M 10 Jan: Drive from Napier to Palmerston North, 3 hours (am)
READ:
Eckert-Erdheim, Dressy Girls
Carrier, That Jackie Kennedy Moment
LISTEN:
Tell Me Wai
Crows-Songbirds-Melt (sound composition)
Dressy Girls
What If? (Saltcast 22)
Cody Appleseed (Saltcast 24)
DISCUSS (in hostel conference room, time TBD):
Radio documentary and sound composition
· Tu 11 Jan: Media workshop, Margie Comrie, Massey University
READ:
Norris and Comrie, Changes in NZ Radio News 1994-2004
Strong, Radio Journalism
LISTEN:
Why Is It So Hard To Read Aloud? (Saltcast 31)
Look Me In The Eye (Saltcast 30)
· W 12 Jan: Access Manawatu
READ:
Riismandel, Radio By and For the Public: The Death and Resurrection of Low-Power Radio
Senate Joins House in Passing the Local Community Radio Act! (19 Dec 2010)
Access Manawatu Schedule
DUE (before visiting Access Manawatu):
30-second promo for W&J College, Example of 60-second promo
PEER CRITIQUE:
W&J promos
DISCUSS:
Community radio
· Th 13 Jan: Access Manawatu (broadcast of projects-in-progress)
READ:
Glass, Harnessing Luck as an Industrial Product
LISTEN:
Dissecting Dead Animal Man (Saltcast 11)
DISCUSS:
Radio projects (documentaries and sound compositions)
Wellington
· F 14 Jan: Drive from Palmerston North to Wellington, 3 hours (am)
· Sa 15 Jan:
Optional tour of Matiu Island, NZ$20 (morning)
REQUIRED: Bats Theatre: No Taste Forever (7:30 pm)
· Su 16 Jan: Self guided tour of Te Papa (two hours, anytime between 10:00 am and 6:00 pm)
DO:
Responses to questions (TBA), in preparation for session with Va'aomanu Pasifika on Monday
· M 17 Jan: Va'aomanu Pasifika, Victoria University of Wellington (all day)
READ:
Keown, Defining Oceania: From "South Seas" to "South Pacific"
Additional readings TBA
LISTEN:
TBA
· Tu 18 Jan: Te Papa program on Treaty of Waitangi (10:00 am to 11:30 am)
READ:
Brady, Mediating Indigenous Voice in the Museum: Narratives of Place, Land, and Environment in New Exhibition Practice
LISTEN:
Indigenous Politics: Maori Sovereignty
DISCUSS:
Sovereignty, Treaty, Narrative
· W 19 Jan: New Zealand on Air (am); Wellington Access Radio (pm)
· Th 20 Jan: Wellington Access Radio, broadcast of projects (pm)
DUE:
Sound composition (1-5 minutes)
· F 21 Jan: Radio New Zealand International and Radio New Zealand
LISTEN:
Radio New Zealand Documentary: 60 years of Radio New Zealand International
· Sa 22 Jan: Depart Wellington (5:00 pm) and Arrive in Pittsburgh (9:57 pm); W&J vans meet us at the airport
WashPa
· Th 27 JAN: Broadcast audio projects on WNJR
DUE:
Individual radio documentary (1-5 minutes)
· F 28 Jan: Broadcast audio projects on WNJR
DUE:
Team radio documentary (3-10 minutes, hitting exact minute mark)