Return to Fall 2008
Schedule|
GLOBAL COMMUNICATION MCOM 4523 Communications Building-Room 216 University of Central Oklahoma Department of Mass Communication Dr. David NelsonAssistant Professor of Mass Communication Office: Communications Annex 133 D Office: 405-974-2584 Fax: 405-974-3837Mass Communications Department: 405-974-5581 Office Hours: M-F by appointment
Dnelson7@ucok.edu
COURSE INFORMATION The class meets 9-3:00 on Th-Sat (July 31-Aug 2) and M-S (Aug 4-9) in room 216.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The class critically examines the global communication theory, research and other selected theoretical concepts as they apply to international and domestic media. Emphasis will be put on how the media sources impact government, society and other media through the dissemination of information. The class will also discuss the technological advances of telecommunications and how it impacts the way news is covered.
COURSE INTRODUCTION
We will examine the pivotal role of transnational news media and the impact that international news has on people and nations. We will describe and analyze the processes whereby international news is gathered and distributed. Consideration will also be given to the various gatekeepers and agenda setters that shape the news content: journalists, new agencies, media owners, broadcasters and international news publications. This class is designed to develop an understanding of the communications methods utilized by the media in telling society what to think about, and how to think.
TEXTBOOK AND RESOURCES:Hatchen, W.A. & Scotton, J.F. (2007) The World News Prism: Global information in a Satellite age. Blackwell Publishing, Malden, MA; 7th Edition.
TEACHING METHODS AND EVALUATION
The majority of classes will be of a lecture format, group discussion, guest speakers, and video. In addition to a midterm and final exam, four small papers will be required. The other half will entail student presentations, relating to assigned theories and countries. With each individual presentation a paper is required and should accompany you on the day you are scheduled to present.
The assigned presentations will be graded and returned with written feedback. The mid-term and final exam will be of an essay format in which the student will also receive written feedback.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Here are the following objectives:
ASSESSMENT TOOLSStudent progress or mastery of the aforementioned intended outcomes will be assessed using the following instruments:
The student will be assessed by the knowledge he or she displays during class discussion, individual and group presentations and the research papers that accompany each presentation. The student’s improvement and understanding of discussed theories will be evaluated through a final exam that will integrate all the theories and applications discussed in class.
STANDARDS OF ACHIEVEMENT
All student work will be held against the following Academic Criteria:
Grade composition:
4 short papers 25 x 4= 100 points Individual presentation and paper = 200 points Test #1- 100 points Test # 2- 100 points
Total possible points – 500 points
A- 450-500, B-400-449, C- 350-399, D-300-349, F- 299 and Below
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Plagiarism will not be tolerated in this or any course in higher education. Plagiarism is defined as “representing someone’s else’s ideas or work as your own ideas and work.” To avoid plagiarism when someone else’s data, arguments, designs, words, ideas, projects, etc., you must make it clear that the work originated from someone else by citing the source.
If plagiarism is suspected the instructor will follow proper university protocol and the student will than suffer the consequences that result from his or her dishonesty.
ATTENDANCE POLICYThe class meets 9-3:00. Being late will not be tolerated. If tardiness becomes a chronic problem, the time missed will be tabulated and factored in the student’s final grade. Please make sure your calendar is clear during the class hours and days the class is scheduled to meet. If you already have a conflict, I suggest dropping the class.
The following attendance policy will be strictly enforced. Class discussion creates awareness and a better understanding of the theories so that each student may benefit by becoming more knowledgeable. To do that one must attend class. As an intersession course the material will be delivered in “bunches.” Also, to meet state mandated attendance requirements, the class attendance policy is as follows:
1 absence will require a letter grade drop.
2 absences require a two-letter grade drop.
3 or above will require the student to drop the course or receive a failing grade.
EXTRA-CREDIT AND LATE WORK
Deadlines are a must in today’s professional world; therefore, no work will be accepted after its due date. One way to manage your time is to set daily or weekly goals of chunks of time to work on various tasks; you recall that the adage says,” You eat an elephant one bite at a time.”
ADA STATEMENT
If you have special physical, psychiatric, or learning disabilities, please let me know immediately (or inform Student Relations directly) so that your learning needs may be met. You will need to provide documentation of you disability to the office of Student relations. I am usually available immediately after class to offer assistance or clarification in addition to my office hours.
COURSE CALENDAR
Week 1- July-August
Thursday, July 31- Introductions and Syllabi, Lecture: Chapters 1,2 and Countries assigned (21 students) and presentation days assigned Assignment: #1- Western Media and Technology
Friday- August 1- Lecture: Chapters 3,4. Due: Media and Technology paper. Video: Al-Jazeera: Democratization, their way (agenda-setters and gatekeepers) Assignment: Press Theories
Saturday August 2-Lecture: Chapters 5,6 Video: “The Control Room” and “The First ever terrorist attack covered by the media Assignment: Begin research and preparation for final paper and presentation. Due: Press Theory paper Week 2- August
Monday, August 4th- Readings: Chapter 7,8,9 and TEST #1 (at the end of lecture) Chapters 1-5Bluebook required. Video: The Control RoomTuesday, August 5th- Readings: Chapters 10,11 Guest Speaker (Mr. Mike Bruce, Prof, Terrorism Lecture, OBU) .
Wed-August 6th Video: How War is Covered by the Media,Test # 2, Chapters 6-11 (Bluebook) Library Time for preparation of presentation and paper.
Thursday, August 7th- Group 1 (1-11) will present and turn in paper. All are required to attend the class.
Friday, August 8th- Group 2 (12-21) will present and turn in paper. All are required to attend the class.
Saturday, August 9th- FINAL- Test #3 (Comprehensive)
WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS and CRITERIA
Assignment #1- The Media and Technology Find a news story from a current or past publication (it may be an on-line article) that clearly shows how the western media uses media technology to broadcast to the international world. Be prepared to write a one-page paper explaining the technology used and how it effects how people get their information. You may be called upon to present your findings to the class. Note: Staple article to paper. Grade: _____ of 25 points
Assignment #2- Press Theories
Take the press theories we discussed in class and categorize your country in the press theory you believe the country currently operates. Find examples and sources to support your placement of your country’s media. The paper should be at least 2-pages long, double-spaced with references. APA style required. (This assignment will be a section of your final paper).
Grade: _____ of 25 points
COUNTRY PROFILE PRESENTATION AND PAPER The purpose of this presentation and paper is to help you understand the social, political, economic and religious groups that influence how the local and western medias operate within their culture. Your country profile presentation and paper exercise is worth 200 points. The paper must cover the following criteria: 1) APA style (cover page, abstract, running head) CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE 2) 7-10 pages long 3) Double-spaced 4) Reference page 5) The paper and presentation must cover the following areas of your country: a) The type of government b) The president or official leader and his/her affiliation and background c) What media is available and background of each. d) Cultural background e) Religious affiliations f) Economy g) Communication theory and Press theories h) Traditions and Celebrations i) Media regulations j) Additional information that you believe will benefit a media person who wants to operate in the region. The presentation should be at least 10 minutes long, but no longer than 15 minutes. You will have access to multi-media equipment to help with the visual and audio portions of your presentation. You should have handouts (bullets or powerpoint handout) of your presentation available for each member of the class. Presentation should include: 1) The list of areas above 2) Visuals (powerpoint, handouts, etc.) 3) Maintain good eye contact (Don’t read to us). 5) Avoid blabbing to stretch presentation to the required time limit. Be prepared. _____________ of 200 points University, College, and Department of Mass Communication Policies
STUDENT INTEGRITY, ACADEMIC DISHONESTY, AND PLAGIARISM The Department of Mass Communication credits Liberal Arts Dean Pam Washington and the Department of English for a majority of this policy on student integrity, academic dishonesty, and plagiarism.
For the purpose of this class the following has been defined: Academic Integrity: You are to conduct yourself in a professional, ethical manner in and out of class. Conduct violations may be taken up with the professor, the chair of the department and the UCO student conduct officer. See UCO Student Code of Conduct for guidelines. Academic dishonesty: Includes the “giving” and “taking” of improper assistance in examinations and assignments; not adhering to the correct procedures for identification of sources in reports and essays [and all creative endeavors], etc; intentional misrepresentation, cheating;, plagiarism, and unauthorized possession of examinations. The UCO Student Code of Conduct has further details. Plagiarism: All writing assignments that students submit for this course must either be entirely their own or properly footnoted. If it is not, the student is guilty of plagiarism, which is not tolerated at UCO. You may be dismissed from the university for plagiarism. Any case of plagiarism will result in an automatic “F” for the course. There are two major types of plagiarism: 1. Word-for-word copying, without acknowledgement, of the language of another writer. Having another person write or dictate all or part of one’s composition is plagiarism of this kind and is clearly forbidden. But, in addition, the student should copy NO printed passage, no matter how brief, without acknowledging its source and either placing it in quotation marks of setting it aside as a block quotation. This applies to even the briefest of phrases if they are truly distinctive. 2. The unacknowledged paraphrasing of an author’s ideas. The student should no more take credit for another person’s thoughts than for another person’s words. Any distinctive, original idea taken from another writer should be credited to its author. If the student is not sure whether or not an author’s idea is distinctive, he or she should assume that it is: no fault attaches to over-acknowledgement, but under-acknowledgement is plagiarism.
Students are responsible for all the information in the UCO Student Handbook in reference to academic misconduct: http://www.ucok.edu/ssvp/conduct/CoSC 2005-2006 (Final Website Adobe Version).pdf
MANUSCRIPT STYLEThe student should check with each professor to determine which manuscript style is required.
EXPECTATION OF WORK The state regents students to spend at least three (3) hours of preparation/study work per week for each hour of credit (OSRHE II-2-34) INCOMPLETE GRADEThe grade “I” may only be given for work not completed because of circumstances beyond the student’s control and in which further class attendance is not required. The student must have a passing grade and must have satisfactorily completed a substantial portion of the required course work for the semester. An “I” may only be changed to a letter grade by the instructor when work has been successfully completed outside the classroom and no longer than one year after the “I” was assigned as determined by the instructor. An “I” is not given simply because a student wants extra time to complete assignments or wants to earn a higher grade. A formal written agreement must be signed by the instructor and the student and filed in the department/school office, clearly identifying what work is to be completed and the timeline within which the work is to be completed.
WITHDRAWING FROM ALL CLASSES When withdrawing from the first day of the term forward, obtain a Withdrawal Form from the Center for Undergraduate Academic Advisement, obtain the required signature approvals from Financial Aid (even if you are not receiving financial aid) and the Bursar’s office. Then take the form to Enrollment Services (Registration). You are not withdrawn until you receive a new printout from Enrollment Services (Registration) that shows the withdrawal has been processed. Do not leave the withdrawal form in any other office. Withdrawal prior to the first day of the term can be done on the web or at the Enrollment Services office. International Students with an F-1 and/or J-1 student visa status must also check with the International Office before attempting to withdraw.
WITHDRAWING FROM ALL CLASSES – FEDERAL AID RECIPIENTS All federal aid recipients who completely withdraw from school prior to completing at least sixty percent of the semester will have to repay some portion of the federal funds received. UCO will determine the unearned portion of the funds received. This refund policy may require the student and/or the university, on behalf of the student, to immediately pay funds disbursed for the purpose of paying educational cost. The student will be held responsible for any funds the university is required to return on the student’s behalf to the federal program. Payment arrangements will be made through the Bursar’s Office only.
EMERGENCY INDIVIDUAL CLASS DROP OR COMPLETE WITHDRAWAL A student unable to complete a drop or withdrawal by the published deadlines may submit a written petition (with supporting documentation) to Enrollment Services, room 124 in the Nigh University Center. Permission may be granted if proper evidence exists to show that the drop or withdrawal could not be completed during the required time and the instructor confirms the absence. Poor academic performance will not be a consideration. Regardless of the circumstances, withdrawals after the deadline will be reflected on the student’s transcript as “W” if passing or “F” if failing. Drop and withdrawal deadlines are determined by the length of the individual class (generally, ll/16th of the length of the class). Deadlines for irregular classes meeting less than the full semester are proportional.
WEATHER AND/OR EMERGENCY CLOSING OF CLASSES When weekday or weekend classes are canceled or a delayed opening is announced, local media are notified by the designated university official beginning at 6:00 a.m. for day classes and 3:30 p.m. for evening classes. The UCO closing information line (974-2002) and UCONNECT are also utilized for closing information. The closing or delayed opening of administrative offices will be announced separately from those related to classes. Faculty will determine any necessary adjustments to course content and schedule doe to a university closing.
WEATHER AND/OR EMERGENCY CLOSING DURING FINALS WEEK If the university is closed or the opening delayed by the president during finals week, the following procedures will be implemented: 1. On the day of a delayed opening, finals exams scheduled to begin prior to the opening will be canceled. 2. Final exams scheduled to be taken with the university is closed will be canceled. 3. The student’s final course grade will be calculated based on the work in the course completed up to the time of the final and the faculty member’s considered judgment as instructor or record. A grade of “I” will not be offered, and final exams will not be rescheduled.
SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS The University of Central Oklahoma complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the American with Disabilities Act of 1990. Students with disabilities who need special accommodations must make their requests by contacting the Assistant Director of Disability Support Services, Kimberly Fields at 974-2549.† The office is located in the Nigh University Center, Room 309.† Students should also notify the instructor of special accommodation needs by the end of the first week of class.
UCONNECT STATEMENTThe University of Central Oklahoma News and Networking Educational Communication Tool is a secure web site providing UCO student, faculty, and administrative staff with up-to-the minute campus communications, single log-on connections to check grades, check schedules, add or drop classes, and access online course information. In a nutshell, UCONNECT is UCO’s campus portal. As the official communication tool of the university, students are expected to utilize their UCOnnect and/or WebCT account regularly to remain current of campus information and activities and to receive e-mail communication from faculty and administrative offices. For additional information contact 974-2255. http://iris.ucok.edu:81/cp/home/loginf |