Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "CMS 399"
COURSE NAME: "Special Topics in Media Studies: The Middle East in American Media"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Summer Session I 2019

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Ibrahim Al-Marashi
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MTWTH 6:00-7:50 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: COM 220
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
These are upper level courses which focus on special areas and issues within the field of Media Studies that give students in-depth exposure to particular theories within the field.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

This class covers how the Middle East has been depicted and represented in American media, and how this imaginary process serves as a reflection of cultural epochs in the US. The subjects that will be examined include “terrorism” in the U.S. media from the Barbary Wars of the early American Republic to the latest war against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, to how Muslim-Americans, African-American Muslims, Latino-American Muslims, Islamophobia, Christianity, music, science fiction, oil, Iraq, and Iran, are configured, represented, and contested in culture and society. This course demonstrates how America reflected this region, serves as a reflection of how the U.S. imagined itself as a nation.

This class is primarily visual. We will watch and analyze various media, ranging from news, music videos, social media, to films. The readings I have assigned are primarily mainstream news media, which not just convey information, but are assigned for you to critically analyze how media ownership and conglomerations construct how this information is conveyed.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

In terms of mass media, particularly political communication, students will learn:

1. Develop an appreciation of cultural history of American media, including the study of popular culture, architecture, Orientalist art, travel literature

2. The ability to critically analyze media history, such as mainstream media & film

3. The roles of media systems in national identity formation.

4. Regional and national media’s responses and adaptations to globalization.

5. The role of gender and pop culture in political communication in the region.

6. How the mass media affect the perception and practice of regional politics.

7. Critically analyze mass mediated terrorism, and how terrorism and the media were transformed by the rise of internet, satellite television, and the 24-hour news cycle.

In terms of understanding American Film:

1. Learn how films communicate historical and political ideas, themes and symbols.

2. Understand film mechanics, Protagonist/Antagonist, Climax, Resolution, Themes, and Thesis, and how they communicate historical and political and meaning

3. How do film characters, symbols, and cinematography represent greater historical and political movements, trends or themes

4. Understand how film forms popular historical memory of key events in American-Middle Eastern relations

5. Understand how the “Hollywood system” functions and its relation to films produced about the Middle East

TEXTBOOK:

NONE

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

NONE

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight
Class Participation	Class participation includes attending class (attendance will be taken), participating in classroom discussions, COMING TO THE FILMS and demonstrating the completion of the readings.	20
4 quizzes x 10%	Each quiz will cover the readings for the previous week.	40
1 Final Exam	Will include short IDs and an essay. I will give out a study guide.	40

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until ____________

ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.

STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE

WEEK I

May 27 Welcome Session: Introducing the History of the TV Era

May 28 Introduction to Orientalism & McLuhan

May 29 From Print Media to the birth of TV in 50s & 60s

May 30 The 70s, Oil and Iran

WEEK II

June 3-4 The 80s, Media in the Age of Reagan

June 5-6 The 90s, The Gulf War

WEEK III

June 10-13 Media during the War on Terror

WEEK IV

June 17-20 Media in the Age of ISIS

WEEK V

June 24-27 Media in the Age of ISIS (con’t)

June 28 Final Exam

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