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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "CMS 330H"
COURSE NAME: "Global Media (This course carries 4 semester hours of credits. A minimum CUM GPA of 3.5 is required)"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2015
SYLLABUS

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

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:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
In-class quizzes 20
Midterm Exam 25
Final Exam *Please note that given the extra credit hour students enrolled in the Honors section of this course will be required to write a research paper with a wider breadth of sources (the topic will have to be approved by the professor). Students will also be required to complete and be prepared to discuss the recommended readings (in addition to the required ones) with the instructor.25%
Participation  10
Attendance 5
Presentation 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 c
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. Every student is expected to do the readings when required and 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.

Please note that participation counts for 10% of your grade in this course. It means that you will be graded on your actual participation in class activities and discussions.

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.

 

 

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

NB: This is a preliminary schedule.

·    The use of laptop computers and other electronic devices during class is NOT permitted.

 

 

Week 1 
Course Overview and introduction. The historical context of media globalization Readings: Thussu, ch.1

 

Week 2 
Introduction to media theory

 

Week 3 
The different approaches to the study of global communications.

 

Week 4 
Intro: globalization and identity.


Week 5 
Globalization and identity politics. The global communications infrastructure

Week 6 
The Global Communications infrastructure part II.  Intro: the Local and the Global in Media culture

Week 7
Review and Mid Term Exam

 Week 8
The Local and The Global in Media Culture. Case studies.

Week 9
Intro counter-flows

 

Week 10 
The Al Jazeera Case study + Bollywood

 

Week 11
Bollywood in Nigeria & Nollywood cinema. Korean Media in a global context

 

Week 12 
Cultures of diaspora. Alternative Media and Diaspora in Europe.


Week 13
Globalization and the Internet revolution


Week 14
Wrap Up and Review