Course Announcement
CMNS402
International Media Systems I – The
Americas
Please make a note of the following amendment to the
 Study Guide
 Student Manual or Course Manual
Please make the following changes to your Study Guide and Student
Manual.
A. The “Study Questions” portion of the “Assignment File” in the
CMNS 402 Student Manual has been revised. Please replace it
(page 10 of your Student Manual) with the following:
Study Questions
For each of Units 1 to 12 inclusive, answer four of the study questions,
adding in at least one real-world illustration of the issue or topic from
your experience of or readings on international media systems. Use
your illustration as the basis for agreeing with or challenging the
course reading. Each response should be two substantial paragraphs in
length.
You will be evaluated on your success in composing a concise but
clear explanation—in your own words and without reiterating large
sections of the article—that answers the question directly (the answer
is usually not difficult to locate in the reading) and demonstrates your
general comprehension of the issue or context. You may wish to refer
to other articles or their contents (such as, for example, definitions or
examples) in your answer where doing so helps to establish your
comprehension of ongoing issues.
Unit 13 questions are provided as an exercise in learning only. Please
do not submit answers to Unit 13 questions, as these submissions will
not be marked.
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You may submit your responses to your tutor electronically as you
complete each unit. If you submit paper copies of your answers, please
send in the responses for Units 1, 2, and 3 on completion of Unit 3;
those for Units 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 on completion of Unit 8; and those for
Units 9, 10, 11, and 12 on completion of Unit 12.
Pay particular attention to your tutor’s comments on your early
responses, so that you can improve your later ones.
Please note the new Study Questions for Unit 7, which follow:
B. The Study Questions for the Lorimer and McNulty reading, “The
Media, Culture, and Politics in Canada,” in Unit 7 (on page 50) of
your Study Guide refer to a different edition of the reading than
was included in your Reading File. Please replace those questions
with the Study Questions provided below.
New Study Questions for Unit 7:
(The Study Questions to be replaced appear both on pages 5152 of your Study Guide and on pages 67-71 of your Student
Manual.)
1.
Explain the transposing, or transforming, function of mass
media in society.
2.
What two components combine to make the mass media
distinct from other types of communication? How does one
of these components lead the media to play a strong
ideological role?
3.
Technologies operate in society on the basis of how that society
is structured and how it functions. With this in mind, explain
what technical elements have been critical to the Canadian
television environment.
4.
Name some forms of direct control and some forms of indirect
control exerted by national governments over media. Give an
example of each form as it appears within the Canadian context.
5.
How might professional standards for people who work in mass
media affect journalistic practice?
6.
List three expressions of the social expectation that the mass
media will reflect the diversity of Canadian society. How would
these measures or goals work to ensure that the mass media will
provide cohesion and order in Canada?
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7.
How does the Broadcasting Act reflect this role of the media as
a social institution? Are the ideals of the Act reflected in the
reality of Canada’s broadcasting system?
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