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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "CMS 330"
COURSE NAME: "Global Media"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2014
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Clelia Clini
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MW 1:30 PM 2:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: COM 220
OFFICE HOURS: by appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course focuses on the relationship between media and globalisation. Its aim is to provide students with a critical understanding of the role of media and communications technologies in the complex processes of globalization. The course will highlight the social, cultural and political implications of media’s dissemination across the globe especially in relations to issues such as the identity-formation and representation, community and belonging. 

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

The first part of the course will provide students with an introduction to the historical context of global communication and will introduce the key theoretical debates around globalization and culture. The expansion of media and telecommunications corporations within the process of deregulation and liberalization will be studied with particular reference to the impact of such growth on audiences in different cultural contexts and from regional, national and international perspectives. During the second part of the course will of focus on selected case studies of media flows from the West to rest of the world and we will discuss how theory addresses the complexities of such globalization of western media. Afterwards we will explore the so-called “counter-flows” of global media, emanating from non-western countries, which destabilise the imperialist perspective on globalization. Through a few selected case studies, the analysis will focus on the local uses of the so-called ‘diasporic media’ that, moving in a counter-flow, offer new ways of understanding the local uses of media in terms of agency and identity formation. The last part of the semester will be focused on the internet and how its usage has changed global media communications.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

The course aims to encourage students to understand the central role of the media in shaping contemporary culture and the communicative practices involved in this process. By the end of the course, students should have acquired advanced competence in the field of media and globalization theory in order to be able to critically discuss the main theoretical approaches in the field and how these key approaches relate to one another. Students will also be able to analyse newly emerging forms of culture and identity based on the experience of cosmopolitanism, hybridity and diaspora in relation to media forms such as networked media and films.

TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
International Communication: Continuity and ChangeThussu, DayaHodder Arnold Publications9780340888926 Throughout the semester, several articles will be assigned relevant to class discussions   
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Attendance 15%
In-class quizzes 20%
Midterm Exam 25%
Final Exam  25%
Class Participation Participation counts for 15% of your grade in this course. Here are the behaviors that count: asking questions; answering questions; making comments (extra points for comments that relate to material in the text, and for sharing relevant experiences). Here are the value-added behaviors—the ones the put your contributions over the top: responding to something another student says (including answering a question asked by a student); constructively disagreeing with something in the text or said in class by me or another student. And there are behaviors to avoid: not listening; pretending to be listening while texting or cruising online; making fun or otherwise berating something said by another person. 15%

-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 cour
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:
  • Please consider that frequent unexcused absences will affect your grade.
  • Students who will miss more than three classes without an adequate justification will have the final grade for the course dropped by one letter grade.
  • Students who arrive in class more than 15 minutes late will be marked as absent. Lateness will of course affect the final grade.
  • Missing an in-class quiz will result in a zero.
  • Students are required to come to class having completed the assigned readings and they are expected to actively participate in class discussion.
  • All the reading materials and course assignments will be posted on the class website. Students are expected to regularly check the class website for updates.
  • The use of laptop computers and other electronic devices during class is NOT permitted.
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


This is a tentative schedule, subject to change

Please note that throughout the semester, several articles will be assigned relevant to class discussions

Week 1

Course Overview and introduction. The historical context of media globalization

 

Week 2

Introduction to media theory

 

Week 3

The different approaches to the study of global communications. Introduction: globalization and identity politics

 

Week 4

Globalization and identity politics. The global communications infrastructure.

 

Week 5

The Global Communications infrastructure.

 

Week 6

Review and Mid Term Exam

 

Week 7

The Local and The Global in Media Culture. Case studies.

 

Week 8

Towards the Americanization of the world?

 

Week 9

Introduction to Media Counter-flows

deadline for having your paper topic approved

 

Week10

Media counter-flows. Nollywood and Bollywood

 

Week 11

Cultures of diaspora. Alternative Media and Diaspora in Europe.

 

Week 12

Diasporic filmmaking

 

Week 13

Global Media and the Internet. Cyber resistance

 

Week 14

Wrap Up & Review