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Department of Communication
Studies in EnglishContact information: Department office: Unioninkatu 37 (P.O. Box 54) 00014 University of Helsinki phone +358-(0)9-191 24850 fax +358-(0)9-191 24849 |
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Courses in English, Spring Term 2005
Global Media and International Affairs, (2 credits,4 ECTS) Course Code: 77145 Dates : 2.2.2005 - 14.03.2005 (lectures finish on 03.03) Course Description: This class explores two major topics. The first topic is public diplomacy: how are governments using diplomacy as a means to communicate with world populations? Is there a difference between public diplomacy and propaganda? What examples can we find of the impact of new media technologies on public diplomacy? Is public diplomacy a "good investment" or a "waste of time and money" by governments? What are the relationships between public diplomacy, the military, and the intelligence agencies? These are some of the questions that we explore in the first topic. The second topic is current international media, news, entertainment, technology corporations. This includes such corporations as news and wire services, global TV networks, the international music industry, global film industry, internet and new media technologies in global context, and similar examples. How have these corporations become global and what are some examples of their global activities? Finally, we will do some comparisons of government activities in global media, corporate activities in global media, and look for points of comparison. While a basic historical background is provided, there is also a strong focus on contemporary conditions in the post-Cold War world. Readings : Part of the readings will be distributed electronically, and there will be also a bibliography of some recommended readings. You can find the list of reading material here. Please read the READ ME FIRST. DOC , first. LECTURE NOTES 02 - 03. February 2005 Attendance: Attendance will be taken and failure to attend at least 90% of the classes may negatively impact your final grade, at the discretion of the instructor, and in consultation with the Communication Studies faculty. Assessment: In addition to attendance and required readings, the major assessment will be a final paper of 8 (or more, if you like) pages in length. See below for more details on the final paper. Due date will be announced the first week. Final paper research topic areas: Choose a general topic area from the list below and customize around it. We will discuss this the first week of class. These general topics, in different variations, have been explored on many occasions in the past few years by my American students at Northwestern. I thought this would give you a glimpse to see what topics are currently of high interest among American university students, and would give me a chance to see what University of Helsinki , and Argonaut, students think about these general topics. Furthermore, when I teach again at Northwestern, I can then report to Northwestern students on what you think about these issues, thus fostering, in a small way, some greater international awareness. One of the things I am supposed to do as a Fulbright Senior Specialist is try to promote greater international awareness in my areas of specialization, and by having you write papers about the same general topics my American students commonly write about, you will get a bit more aware of what is on their minds; and then when I return to teach in the United States this coming Fall, I can let them know what is on your minds.
Paper length: 8 or more pages (routine font sizes, double-spaced)
Outsourcing The Global Image of America Media in the Middle East/Arab World/Islamic World China and the Internet/China and global media industries European Public Opinion/Politics and American Foreign Policy The Internet and the 2004 American Presidential Elections Representations of Terror/Al Qaeda/Osama Bin Laden/War on Terror/Abu Graihb-Guantanamo Bay/Iraqi Conflict in Global Media The Public Diplomacy of a given nation (not your home nation; not the USA ) A Profile of a major global media corporation/institution/NGO using global media Globalization, Media, and Religion
Mode of assessment: Assessment scale: 1, 1+, 2-, 2, 2+, 3- and 3.
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