Southern PolytechnicStateUniversitySpring 2010Dr. K. J. Anderson
COMM 2060 - International Communication
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATION
INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Kami J. Anderson
Assistant Professor, English, Technical Communication and Media Arts
Office: J316
Office Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays2:00pm – 3:00pm,
and by appointment
Office Telephone: (678) 915-7330
Email:
This class is an introduction to and survey of the broad area of international communication. Discussion topics include the rising influence of culture in the post-cold-war world; language and especially English as the world language; Anglo-American dominance of all aspects of global communication; the influence of technology in the globalization of communication; communication in national development or social change; and the emergence of a global style of journalism.
COURSE GOALS:
This course will help you become a more knowledgeable practitioner of international and intercultural communication.
COURSE TEXT:
REQUIRED
Thussu, D. K. (2006). International Communication: Continuity and Change. (2nd Ed). New
York: Hodder Arnold.
RECOMMENDED
McPhail, T. L. (2006). Global Communication: Theories Stakeholders, and Trends. (2nd Ed).
Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishing.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
You will be asked to demonstrate your understanding of international and intercultural communication in written reports, oral presentations, discussions, and a final paper.
This course has the following components:
Short Homework Papers:There is a one-page written assignment for each class session in this syllabus. Short papers based on the assigned readings are meant to further your thinking on the main topics in advance of the class, in order to provide for a more sophisticated class discussion. These are thought papers, not summaries of the readings (unless a very short summary is helpful to your argument). Late submissions will be penalized. You may be called upon to discuss your reading in class. Each report should contain a complete citation of your reading(s), with a clear statement of the central ideas(s), a brief discussion of the main points, and your assessment of the value of the ideas. These reading reports contribute 30 points towards your final grade.
These papers should present a strong argument in response to the assigned question, addressing the best possible counter argument. Any necessary evidence is provided by the class readings or general experience as consumers of news and other forms of media (such events may be referenced without citation in these short papers). You may provide evidence from other sources, provided you complete the assignment within the single-page limit, but use of such other evidence is neither required nor expected. These are thought papers, not research papers or “knowledge dumps.” For the purposes of these assignments, I am more interested with how you are thinking about the topic and formulating arguments than with your knowledge of additional sources. These short papers will generally receive minimal comments from the instructor, and will be graded simply with a check if it is completed in an adequate fashion, with a check-plus (and extra credit) rewarded for truly exceptional written arguments, and a check-minus if it is unsatisfactory. These papers are to be one page, single spaced, with margins of 1 inch on each side of the paper. The assigned homework questions will also serve as discussion questions for the class session. All homework papers are to be submitted to instructor in hard copy at the beginning of class.
Topic Presentations: Student teams will be assigned to prepare written reports and oral presentations on one or more topics. These assignments count for 30 percent of your grade (15 percent for the written portion and 15 percent for the oral portion). Both the written report and oral presentation should demonstrate your familiarity with current literature on the topic.
Participation: Students are expected to be present for each class session and to participate verbally. Your presence and your verbal contributions, based on your personal experience or reading, count for 15 percent of your grade in the course. Your regular attendance (or lack thereof) will be reflected in your participation grade.All students are expected to participate in class dialogues. Participation is not just coming to class. Class participation for this course is more than taking notes and nodding and agreeing. Participation is making sure you are an active part of the class discussion. This role includes but is not limited to:
- Asking questions without fear of judgment or ridicule from your classmates
- Answering questions posed by Dr. Anderson or your classmates
- Providing comments to statements made in class
- Checking for your own understanding
- Participating in group activities in class
It is difficult for you to receive full credit for class participation if you are not in class. Please be mindful of this throughout the semester.
All students will be responsible for preparing discussion questions for each class. Be advised that your preparation for this is crucial. It is quite probable that you may be chosen at random to pose your questions to the class.
Final Paper: There will be a final paper, 18-pages-max, in which you have the opportunity to examine some aspect of international or intercultural communication. You will select the topic in consultation with me, so as to avoid duplicate papers. This final paper accounts for 25 percent of your grade. This paper must be prepared in scholarly form, with an appropriate system of scholarly documentation. For the purposes of this course, the APA style of documentation is required. If you are unfamiliar with this style, please refer to for style guidelines.
The research paper is an opportunity for students to explore a single area of international communication in greater depth. This is a research paper, and I will expect a variety of sources with different viewpoints to be used. The paper should also be narrowly focused based on a research question. You will submit a short description of your research topic and question in late September. Please begin thinking about a topic of interest now. You are welcome to come discuss it with me. I can suggest topics for students who would like assistance. These papers should provide a synthesis of student research and critical analysis of arguments and evidence in accordance with the themes discussed in class, as appropriate for the chosen topic. More detail on this assignment will be provided in class. These papers are to be double spaced with one-inch margins on all sides of the paper.
COURSE STRUCTURE:
This course is organized as a seminar, with student teams assuming a central role in researching, analyzing, and discussing the seminar ideas with fellow participants. You are expected to read about international and intercultural communication beyond the required reading. You should regularly read relevant scholarly and professional journals and international newspapers. Those who are not familiar with the on line database, the World Wide Web, and other on-line research resources here at Southern Polytechnic State University should participate in one or more of the information resources orientations offered at the Library. Your reading should be focused primarily on new writing and research, i.e., material published within the last 5 years.
COURSE POLICIES:
Plagiarism or other academic dishonesty will result in automatic failure in this course. Plagiarism is the copying of any words from another writer without citation as a direct quotation; the offering the thoughts of another as one's own; it is also using previously written self-authored assignments from other courses or assignments and presenting them as new assignments for this course (auto-plagiarism). Please refrain from smoking, eating or drinking in the classroom. Generally, no handwritten submissions of any work will be accepted. You are expected to attend classes regularly and to submit your assignments on time. Failure to do so will result in a grading penalty.
Procedures
I take attendance at every class meeting and expect you to be there. You can have three absences during the semester without influence on your grade. After that, a penalty will be assessed. I do not distinguish between excused and unexcused absences.
The various assignments are due at the beginning of class on the dates indicated. Late assignments (regardless of the reason) will be penalized a third of a letter grade for each day late. If late work is turned into my office mailbox, it should be date stamped by the department office and done at the student's risk should it get lost. All work should be typed (or computer printout) and stapled in the upper left hand corner (no plastic spines or covers). All assignments must include name of course and professor, name of assignment, your name, and title on the first page. All other pages must be numbered. Attention should be paid to both form (grammar, spelling, punctuation, appearance) and content (clarity, organization, relevance). If possible, print all work in 12 point Times font.
Readings. Students should have the readings completed on the date assigned in the class schedule.
Academic integrity. Students are expected to be familiar with the definitions of academic integrity outlined in the Student handbook, particularly the section on plagiarism. Any violations of academic integrity will be dealt with as outlined in the student handbook.
Requirements
1. Students are expected to prepare assigned required readings before each class and participate in class discussions.
2. Each student will prepare four short (one page, single spaced) homework papers throughout the semester. There is a written homework assignment for each class session.
Each student will choose four of these assignments to complete. A sign-up sheet will be passed around the second week of class for students to choose their assignments.
3. Topic Presentation and Oral Presentation
4. Research paper (10-15 pages, double spaced)
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDED RESOURCES:
Alterman, E. (2003). What Liberal Media? The Truth About Bias and the News. New York:
Basic Books.
Bagdikian, B. (2004). The New Media Monopoly. Boston: Beacon Press. Note: this 2004
edition is completely revised and updated with seven new chapters.
Baker, C.E. (2002). Media, Markets, and Democracy. CambridgeUniversity Press.
Cottle, S. (2003). News, Public Relations and Power. London: Sage Publications.
Doyle, G. (2002). Understanding Media Economics. London: Sage Publications.
Hachten, W. and Scotton, J. (2002). The World News Prism: Global Media in an Era of
Terrorism. Sixth Edition. IowaState Press.
Herman, E. and Chomsky, N. (2002). Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy
of the Mass Media. New York: Pantheon Books.
Kelly, M. (2004). Things Worth Fighting For: Collected Writings. New York: The Penguin
Press.
McPhail, T. (2002). Global Communication: Theories, Stakeholders, and Trends. Boston: Allyn
and Bacon.
Rampton, S. and Stauber, J. (2003). Weapons of Mass Deception: The Uses of
Propaganda in Bush’s War on Iraq. New York: Penguin.
Starr, P. (2004). The Creation of the Media: Political Origins of Modern Communications. New
York: Basic Books.
Wolfsfeld, G. (2004). Media and the Path to Peace. CambridgeUniversity Press.
Student’s Record of Grades Form
Note: There is a significant difference between merely “passing” this course (i.e. Earning a grade of B, C, or D) and “Excelling” (Earning an “A”) in this course
Final grades will be based on the quality of written and oral assignments completed, as well as, the active, consistent and meaningful contributions made in class. All written work is to be submitted on time, typed (doubled-spaced) and proof read. Points will be deducted for unedited work. Late assignments will not be accepted. Students will be expected to keep a copy of all work submitted and a record of the points earned based on the criteria below.
AREA A...Weekly Reading Reports Percentage Received
1. Week ______100 ______
2. Week ______100______
3. Week ______100______
4. Week ______100______
5. Week ______100______
6. Week ______100______
Average Percentage ______
AREA B. Topic Reports and Oral Presentations
1. Topic Report100______
2. Oral Presentation100______
Average Percentage ______
AREA C...Midterm and Final Paper
1. FINAL PAPER 100______
(3. QUIZZES*)______
Quizzes will only be given if there is evidence of lack of student participation
Average Percentage______
AREA D...ATTENDANCE & PARTICIPATION
1. ATTENDANCE100______
2. CLASS PARTICIPATION100 ______
Average Percentage ______
FINAL GRADE POINTS REC'D______
Proposed Grading Scale:
A=90-100 percentB=80-89C=70-79D= 60-69 E= less than 60 percent
Weekly Course Schedule
Week
/ Dates / Chapter(s) / Readings, Assignments, etc1 / January 9-
January 13 / Thussu, Chapter 1 / What is the current state of international communication, and where is it going?
2 / January 16-January 20 / Supplemental Reading / Has the globalization of the media increased or decreased the ability ofindividuals to understand the state of the world? Support your argument.
January 16 / Labor Day (No Monday classes)
3 / January 23-January 27 / Thussu, Chapter 2 / Which theory or combination of theories for international communication best fits your current understanding the field?
4 / January 30-February 3 / Thussu, Chapter 2
5 / February 6-February 10 / Thussu, Chapter 3 / Do existing international governance organizations for international
communication effectively balance the interests of developed and developing
countries? Use examples and give your hypothesis on why or why not.
6 / February 13-February 17 / Thussu, Chapter 3 / What, if any, communication services should be made available “universally”
with universal service policies?
7 / February 20-February 24 / Thussu, Chapter 4 / Evaluate the global news agenda of CNN. Does it seem equitable and unbiased to all countries?
8 / February 27-
March 2 / Supplemental Reading / Discuss how online chat rooms such as Face book and My Space affect the notion of our understanding of globalization and national/cultural differences.
March 5 –
March 9 / Spring Break / No Classes
9 / March 12-
March 16 / Thussu, Chapter 5 / Are the inequality consequences of the Internet greater than for other forms of
media?
10 / March 19-
March 23 / Supplemental Reading
11 / March 26-
March 30 / Thussu, Chapter 6 / Knowing the truth about events and progress of a war can influence the feelings of a country’s people about the appropriateness of their country’s role. Access to such information could be considered essential to the functioning of a democratic country. However, information is often restricted for security reasons. What is an appropriate policy for the restriction of information during an international conflict?
12 / April 2-
April 6 / Supplemental Reading / Is privacy protection a violation of freedom, or freedom of speech?
13 / April 9-
April 13 / Thussu, Chapter 7 / In what ways can global (international) regulation control such ‘cybercrimes’ as
hacking and the spreading of viruses and worms?
14 / April 16-
April 20 / Supplemental Reading / Describe one aspect of international communication you think about differently as a result of this class.
15 / April 23- April 30 / Final Papers due