Communication 4350 – 28192: International Communication
Tuesday and Thursday 4:30-6:00
Dr. Richard D. Pineda
UGLC – Room 210
Spring 2005
Office: Quinn 209
Office Hours: TTH 1:30-2:50 and by appointment
Phone: 747-6678
Email: rdpineda@utep.edu
Course Reading Material:
* IC course reading packet available at the UTEP Library Copy Center.
Course Description: The end of the Cold War, the rise of globalization, and the events of September 11th have
all had a major impact on the process of international communication. This course engages students in the study
of the relationships between communication and national cultures. Students will become familiar with
scholarship in international and transnational communication, gain appreciation of communication similarities
and differences across cultures, and develop applied skills related to international and global communication
competence. Course materials emphasize communicative processes involving aspects of cultural identification
such as language, gender/sex, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, religion, age, and class across and within
national boundaries.
Course Objectives and Goals: Upon completion of this course, students should:
1. Have an understanding of the relationships between communication and national cultures with
particular emphasis on the role of culture.
2. Have an understanding of background theory and research in international communication.
3. Be encouraged to appreciate communication similarities and differences across nations.
4. Have fostered an applied development of international and global communication competence.
Assignments:
Quizzes: Several times during the semester we will have quizzes based on the reading material. These quizzes
will cover material from several days’ worth of reading. These quizzes underscore the importance of keeping
up with reading material. (5x5 points = 25 points)
Country Report and Presentation: A diplomatic style briefing where you present information about the
country you choose including information about the political system and with a heavy focus on the media and
communication systems in that country. (15 points)
Foreign Media Diary: You will be assigned a foreign media outlet and you will be required to report on major
issues covered on a weekly basis. You will document the stories with a brief entry and should be prepared to
report on the issues in class. (10 points)
Mid-Term Exam: A multiple choice and short answer exam to be held on March 1st in class. (20 points)
Final Exam: A multiple choice and essay exam to be held on May 5th in class. (30 points)
Total Points: 100
A=90-100
B=80-89
Grades:
C=70-79
D=60-69
F=59-0
Class Policies and Procedures:
Course Writing Guidelines
All material submitted for evaluation and grading must be typed, unless otherwise indicated by the professor.
Papers and projects should be written according to the standards set in the APA 5th Edition publication manual.
I would prefer that you write in Times or Time New Roman font, size 10, 11, or 12. Please proofread and spellcheck all material submitted for evaluation and grading. Points will be subtracted from individual assignments
that fail to comply with this policy.
Email
I am email accessible – in fact, I love email. If you need to ask questions or clarify class discussion, I will
happily respond via email. If you need direction or ideas for papers and/or assignments, we can communicate
via email as well.
** Email submission of assignments is not acceptable. You must have a hard copy that you submit in class at
the required time. **
Late Assignments
Late written assignments will receive a grade reduction of 10% for each twenty-four hour period (including
weekends) the assignment is late. If you are unable to attend class on the day that an assignment is due, you
must contact me before the due date to arrange to hand your assignment in.
** Late assignments must be physically handed to me in class or during my office hours. You may not leave
the assignments in my box or under my door. **
Extra Credit
Extra credit opportunities in my classes are rare, however if there is a possibility for extra credit I will inform
you in class and describe the requirement to earn such points. These opportunities are offered at my discretion
and by no means are guaranteed every semester.
Attendance
Every student is expected to attend every class session and take an active role in classroom discussions.
Attendance will be taken every class session. A student with more than three absences should expect a lowered
final grade in the class. If in the judgment of the professor, a student has been absent to such a degree as to
impair the student’s status relative to credit for the course, the professor may drop the student from the class
with a grade of “W” before the course drop deadline and with a grade of “F” after the course drop deadline.
Additionally, please note:
** If you miss more than half of the class period, you will be counted as absent.**
** If you leave before three-quarters of the class is over, you will be marked absent.**
Except for personal or medical emergencies, which must have official documentation, or for official university
absences, approved in advance, there are no make-ups on quizzes or presentations given in this class. Failure to
come to class on the day you are scheduled to present will result in the grade of zero for that assignment.
It is the responsibility of the student to inform the professor of extended absence. In cases of prolonged
absence, the student should investigate the feasibility of withdrawal from the course.
Students are responsible for any announcements that are made in class regarding changes in the class schedule.
Students are also responsible for obtaining any information they missed due to absences. The professor will not
repeat lecture material.
Academic Dishonesty
(Statement from the Office of the Dean of Students – applicable to assignments and requirements in this class.)
Academic dishonesty is prohibited and is considered a violation of the UTEP Handbook of Operating
Procedures. It includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, and collusion. Cheating may involve
copying from or providing information to another student, possessing unauthorized materials during a test, or
falsifying research data on lab reports. Plagiarism occurs when someone intentionally or knowingly represents
the words or ideas of another person’s as ones’ own. And collusion involves collaborating with another person
to commit any academically dishonest act. Any act of academic dishonesty attempted by a UTEP student is
unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Violations will be taken seriously and will be referred to the Dean of
Students for possible disciplinary action. Students may be suspended or expelled from the university for such
actions.
Special Needs
Students with disabilities or special needs, please make arrangements with me as early as possible. Special
assistance may be available from the Disabled Student Services Office (DSSO) in Room 106 East Union (7475148). Students should be aware that faculty are not obligated to provide accommodations for a disability
without proper notification from DSSO.
Classroom Expectations
Students are expected to be respectful and supportive of other students, especially during class discussions and
during the presentation of material. If you are late on a presentation day, remain outside the classroom until the
speaker is finished. Cell phones and pagers should be turned off during all class sessions.
Many different ideas will be welcomed and encouraged. However, sexist and racist comments and offensive
intolerance for others will not be tolerated in this class.
Grade Grievances
Grade grievances must be submitted to me in writing, prior to making an appointment to discuss the matter.
Any grade grievance must occur within one-year from the end of the course. If we cannot come to a reasonable
conclusion, you should contact the department chairperson. If you still have concerns at this point, you may
consult with and/or file a grade challenge with the Chairperson of the Student Welfare and Grievance
Committee. Contact the office of the Faculty Senate (747-5178) for more information.
Tentative Class and Reading Schedule
Please note this schedule is tentative and subject to change. I am a firm believer in keeping a dynamic schedule to allow
for discussion and adequate coverage of material. I would much rather jettison material to allow for better
understanding and discourse on a particular area – I assure you I will avoid major change if possible. Additionally,
please be aware if an issue of topical significance arises nationally or internationally, we may shift focus onto that event.
**All readings are designated by author(s) name and should be read before the class meeting indicated by the
date on the left.**
Week 1 & 2: Introduction to International Communication: In the first two weeks we will review the
syllabus and course policies. We will also begin the process or developing an understanding about the
fundamentals of international communication theory and practice.
January 11
Introduction and review of syllabus
13
McDowell – Theory and research in international communication
18
Davison & George – An outline for the study on international political communication
20
Quiz #1
Week 3:
Definitions, Characteristics and Examples of International Communication: In week three
we will study the characteristics of international communication and the structure of major international policy
and order related to communication practices and technologies.
January 25
Boyd-Barrett – Global communication orders
Hoge - Media Pervasiveness
27
Moisy – Myths of the global information village
Week 4 & 5: Globalization: In weeks four and five we will delve into the issue of globalization and connect it
to media and technology as they relate to development and political economy. This section blends theoretical
and practical information about globalization and the linkage to international communication.
February 1
Saul – The collapse of globalism
3
Hoffman – The clash of globalizations
8
Tomlinson – Cultural globalizations
Quiz #2
10 Chan & Ma – Transcultrating modernity
Week 6:
Politics and Propaganda: In week six we will examine propaganda and public diplomacy as
tools of political systems to influence global affairs.
February 15 Ross – Public diplomacy comes of age
Hoffman – Beyond public diplomacy
17 Jacobson & Jang – Mediated war peace and global society
Quiz #3
Week 7:
Wire Service and News Flow in the International System: The flow of information across the
globe is an important aspect of international communication, especially as wire services and global media
networks continue to develop. This section examines those elements of international communication more
closely.
February 22 Grunwald – The post cold war world
Utley – The shrinking of foreign
24 Library research session
Week 8:
Mid-Term Week - The mid-term examination will be given on Tuesday during class. The midterm examination is a combination multiple choice and short answer exam. The following class meeting we
will review the exams and recap several issues discussed in the first part of the semester. The second part of the
term will be previewed.
March 1
Mid-Term Exam
3
Mid-Term Evaluation and Review
Week 9:
Country Reports
March 8
Country Reports
10
Country Reports
Week 10:
Economics, Trade, and Flow of International Communication: In week ten we will study the
political economy of international communication more closely including a focus on the presence of global
media giants and the spread of 24 hour news cycles.
March 15
Comor – Media corporations
Hamilton – New foreign
17
Demers – Global media in the 21st century
Compaine – New global media
Week 11:
Spring Break Week
March 22
No class
24
No class
Week 12 & 13: Technology and Development in International Communication: In addition to other media
technology, contemporary international communication requires a “wired” world. In weeks twelve and thirteen,
we will study the rise of the internet and chart its effects of politics and social order.
March 29
Webster – Global challenges and national answers in the information age
Shapiro – The internet
Foreign Media Diary Due
31
No class – Cesar Chavez Day
April 5
Kalathil – Dot com for dictators
Boas – The dictator’s dilemma
Quiz #4
7
Hammond – Digitally empowered
Week 14 & 15: Communication and Imperialism: In weeks fourteen and fifteen we will study the theoretical
issue of cultural imperialism. This section culminates with a case study of one particular entertainment
phenomenon, the telenovela.
April 12
Ayish – International communication in the 1990s
14
Gitlin – The unification of the world:
19
Alleyne – Thinking about the international system
Quiz #5
21
Bilteresyst & Meers – The international telenovela debate
Week 16:
Conclusions
April 26
Readings - TBA
28
Readings - TBA
Final Exam
May 3, 2005 4 PM
Please note: Final grades will be available online through Goldmine starting May 16, 2005. Final grades will
not be released any earlier.
Reading Packet Table of Contents
McDowell, S.D. (2003). Theory and research in international communication. In B. Mody (Ed.), International
and development communication (5-17). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Davison, W.P. & George, A.L. (1952-1952). An outline for the study of international political
communication. The Public Opinion Quarterly, 16(4), 501-511.
Boyd-Barrett, O. (2003). Global communication orders. In B. Mody (Ed.), International and development
communication (35-51). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Hoge, J.F. (1994). Media pervasiveness. Foreign Affairs, 73(4), 136-143.
Moisy, C. (1997). Myths of the global information village. Foreign Policy, 107.
Saul, J.R. (2004). The collapse of globalism: And the rebirth of nationalism. Harper’s Magazine, 33-43.
Hoffman, S. (2002). Clash of globalizations. Foreign Affairs, 81(4), 104-115.
Tomlinson, J. (1997). Cultural globalization and cultural imperialism. In A. Mohammadi (Ed.), International
communication and globalization (170-190). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Chan, J.M. & Ma, E. (2002). Transculturating modernity: A reinterpretation of cultural globalization. In J.M.
Chan & B.T. McIntyre (Eds.), In search of boundaries: communication, nation-states, and cultural
identities (3-18). Westport, CT: Ablex Publishng.
Jacobson, T.L. & Jang, W.Y. (2003). Mediated war, peace and global civil society. In B. Mody (Ed.),
International and development communication (53-68). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Comor, E. (2003). Media corporations in the age of globalization. In B. Mody (Ed.), International and
development communication (19-33). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Demers, D. (2002). Global media: Menace or messiah. Cresskill, NJ: Hampton Press.
Webster, F. (2002). Global challenges and national answers in the information age. In J.M. Chan & B.T.
McIntyre (Eds.), In search of boundaries: communication, nation-states, and cultural identities (111127). Westport, CT: Ablex Publishng.
Ayish, M.L. (1992). International communication in the 1990s: Implications for the third world. International
Affairs, 68(3), 487-510.
Gitlin, T. (2002). The unification of the world under the signs of Mickey Mouse and Bruce Willis: The supply
and demand sides of American culture. In J.M. Chan & B.T. McIntyre (Eds.), In search of boundaries:
communication, nation-states, and cultural identities (21-33). Westport, CT: Ablex Publishng.
Alleyne, M.D. (1994). Thinking about international systems in the ‘information age’: Theoretical assumptions
and contradictions. Journal of Peace Research, 31(4), 407-424.