|
|
|
|
Approved by Faculty Senate October 6, 2003 Per WSU Regulation 3-4 (“Departments are required to submit information to the USS specifying how [the] flagged course addresses the outcomes for each flag”), the following material addresses points 1-5 under the Writing Flag section of the 3/20/00 “University Studies at WSU” document with regard to USS approval of MCOM (Mass Communication) 450 International Broadcasting as a USS writing flag course. 1. “…practice the processes and procedures for creating and completing successful writing in their fields.” This course requires the students to engage in at least three research-oriented pieces of writing. As the attached syllabus indicates, these include a book review, a written report to accompany the oral presentation, and a 15-page research paper, which serves as the final project. All such written work is required to be submitted as per the APA Style. 2. “…understand the main features and uses of writing in their fields.” The main features of writing in International Broadcasting stem from understanding and researching discussions on the elements of bias, stereotyping, and cultural misinterpretations in transnational news broadcasting, as well as disinformation campaigns. The basic idea behind this kind of writing is to promulgate an appreciation of free speech vis-a-vis political & cultural values and constraints, as well as understanding the significance of making informed decisions. Discussions of this nature consume a major portion of class time. 3. “…adapt their writing to the general expectations of readers in their fields.” As mentioned above, discussions in the class necessitate that students begin to see and identify the need to write for specific audiences without unduly compromising an acceptable level of comprehension for those outside of the field of mass communication. 4. “…make use of the technologies commonly used for research and writing in their fields.” It is expected that students have a desirable degree of proficiency in both journalistic principles & conventions and word-processing. Additionally, students are constantly encouraged to engage in meaningful library research. 5. “…learn the conventions of evidence, format, usage, and documentation in their fields.” Besides learning about the different kinds of research-sources, students are exposed to in-class demonstrations of short-wave radio reception (they are even encouraged to checkout portable sets made available by the department). Equally significant is the fact that students are also exposed to tips for using (library-based) WEBPALS, including “truncation,” “advanced search,” and “limit search;” additional databases which the students are introduced to include LEXIS-NEXIS, SEARCHBANK, SOCIOLOGICAL ABSTRACTS, and COMABSTRACTS.
International Broadcasting
MC 450 Spring 2002 Instructor: Dr. Ajit Daniel Office: PAC 234; 457-5228 Hours: T, R: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon; M, W: 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m; other times by appointment Text: "Global Communication in the 21st Century” by Stevenson Course
Description:
This is a seminar-type course, which will
examine the structures, processes, functions, and significance of the various
international broadcasting systems and services. Due
emphasis will be placed on the scope and complexity of such systems and their impact upon
global understanding. Course
Objectives:
The course will endeavor to focus on areas
such as technology and international broadcasting; direct satellite broadcasting, its
threat to national sovereignty, and the potential for Third World development; official
external broadcasting (such as the Voice of
America, the British Broadcasting Corporation, Radio Moscow, and All India Radio), and
public diplomacy.
The course will also endeavor to include discussions on the elements of bias,
stereotyping, and cultural misinterpretations in transnational broadcasting, as well as
misinformation campaigns and the future of international broadcasting. Prerequisites ENG 111 and MC 100, Media & Society, Students who have not yet taken these basic courses, as required by the department, are requested to kindly leave and re-enroll at a later time. University Studies Flag Requirements MC 450 fulfills the University Studies flag requirement for the writing flag. Students are reminded that they need six (6) semester hours of writing flag courses in order to complete their University Studies requirements. As the syllabus indicates, this requirement is satisfied in a variety of ways. The major ones are listed below along with the outcomes for the WSU writing flag: a. Practice
the processes and procedures for creating and completing successful writing in [your]
fields.”
Book review, the two-page written report (which accompanies the oral
presentation assignment), outline proposals and the research paper. b. Understand the main features and uses of writing in
[your] fields.”
The three quizzes, the two-page written report , and the research paper. c. Adapt
[your] writing to the general expectations of readers in [your] fields.”
Book review, written report, research paper, outline proposals. d. Make
use of the technologies commonly used for research and writing in [your] fields.”
Book review, the two-page written report, outline proposals, and the
research paper. e. Learn
the conventions of evidence, format, usage, and documentation in [your] fields.”
Book review and research paper. COURSE
REQUIREMENTS & GRADING The
instructor reserves the right to modify the syllabus as and when necessary. Each student is expected to meet the following requirements: 1. Attendance: Instances of absence have to be in writing prior to the fact. Students with 100 percent attendance will be given 5 bonus points; those with 1 absence, excused or otherwise, will receive 3 bonus points. Deadlines are very important in broadcasting. As such, all assignments are expected to be submitted as per the schedule below. Late work will be accepted if there has been a fully-verified medical emergency, or the prior written consent of the instructor has been obtained. “Fully-verified medical emergency” means an authentic medical certificate, not a note.
2. Book Review: A critical review of a book on international broadcasting. The report must be typewritten, double-spaced, and at least two pages long. Students will be provided with relevant and ongoing feedback on their Book Reviews. 3. Three quizzes between weeks 4 and 15.
4.
Oral Presentation: Each student will make a 12-15 minute oral
presentation on a selected topic related to an area pertinent to the course. The
topic/theme will need the instructor's prior approval.
It is suggested that such outlines be
submitted to the instructor in written form during the first three weeks of the semester. Prior to each presentation, the presenter needs
to submit a two-page written report summarizing his/her presentation. 5. Research Paper: Each student is required to develop and write a research paper dealing with the international electronic media of your country of choice. This will be done as per standard APA style guidelines (4th ed.). During the semester students will be given ample opportunity for feedback on their writing, especially via the Outline Proposals noted on the previous pages.
For items 4 and 5 above, students are
expected to choose/adopt a country other than their own.
6.
Midterm Exam: Each student will need to take a midterm, based on
readings, movies, lectures, and in-class discussions.
7.
Final Exam: Each student will need to take a (comprehensive)
final exam, based on readings, movies, lectures, and in-class discussions. 8. Please bring green scantrons and white-out to class every day.
This course assumes that students have a mastery of basic English writing skills, the volition to read, re-read and understand (not memorize), and the ability to think critically. You are expected to be fully versed in and acquainted with ALL the readings. All written reports and papers will be as per the APA style manual. Each error of spelling, punctuation, grammar, and style will be penalized one-fourth of a point, with a cap of 5 points.
Please note that all graded quizzes and
exams will be retained by the instructor. If
you fail to return any quiz/exam/project to the instructor after the in-class review, the
grade earned for that quiz/exam/project will not be recorded for grading purposes and, as
such, will effectively lower your final score. It
is, therefore, your responsibility to check with the instructor if he has possession of
your quiz/exam/project in question. Also,
no make-up will be allowed for missed quizzes. The weekly readings, mentioned in the schedule below, do not necessarily have to coincide with the corresponding lectures. Rather, the instructor hopes that the readings will, in conjunction with the lectures and other support material, provide a viable learning experience for the class. All weekly readings should be completed by the first session of each week.
In the event that you don't find me in my
office when you drop by, please leave a written note either on the door or slip it under
the door, should the office be locked. SCHEDULE Readings*
Week 2:
Chapters 1 &
2
Week 3:
Chapters 3 &
4
Week 4:
Chapters 3, 4
& 5
Week 5:
Chapters 5 &
6
Week 6:
Chapter 6 &
7
Week 7:
Chapters 8 &
9
Week 8:
Chapters 10
& 11
Week 9:
Chapters 12, 13,
&14
*include all handouts distributed during the course of the semester Exams, Projects, Quizzes, & Points
Quizzes
1/29-4/25
=
50 points
Book Review
2/5
= 25 points
Presentation 4/2-4/18
= 25 points
Research paper 4/23
= 50 points
Midterm exam 2/26
= 50 points
Final exam 4/30 (l:00 p.m.)
= 100 points
Culture assignment
= 10 bonus points
Guest Speaker assignment
= 10 bonus points The following improvised curve-system will be implemented for grading: A = 258-300, B = 228-257, C = 198-227, D = 168-197, E = 0-167 Bonus Points
Research Paper
39-44 points = 2
points
45-50 points = 3 points
Midterm
39-44 points = 2 points
45-50 points = 3 points
Attendance**
100
percent = 5 points
1 absence = 3
points
**applies to all class-meetings scheduled by the instructor. Also, anybody who is late by more than 10 minutes
will not be eligible for these bonus points. |