1. Section Participation & Reflection Papers
Discussion sections are an important (and enjoyable!) part
of the course. In the weekly section meetings you will have opportunity to:
1.) take part in in-depth discussions of key concepts from the course; 2.)
work in small groups on in-class assignments; and 3.) prepare for mid-quarter
and end-of-the quarter group presentations based on outside research. As part
of your participation grade for weekly section, you will write 3 "reflection
papers". Each reflection paper (1-2 pages hard copy, double-spaced, worth
5 points) should include a brief summary and synthesis of the main points
of the assigned readings for the week, insights or ideas that the readings
provoked for you, and at least two questions that the readings raised for
you. The first reflection paper is due in section in weeks 1-3, the second
is due in weeks 4-6, and the third is due in weeks 7-9. You may choose which
week within weeks 1-3, 4-6, and 7-9 you will write a reflection paper, but
each reflection paper must correspond to the assigned readings for the week
in which it is turned in, and to receive credit, a hard copy must be turned
in at the beginning of the section meeting of the appropriate week. Grading
criteria for reflection papers are:
5 pts: thorough summary and synthesis & at least 2 distinct questions
4 pts: superficial summary or synthesis & at least 2 distinct questions
3 pts: summary and synthesis & 1 question
2 pts: summary or synthesis & 1 question
1 pt: summary or synthesis or 1-2 questions
2. Case Study Analysis
This assignment has both individual and group components, and
will require you to draw on themes from the course in interpreting a case
study based on a recent event involving international communication. The individual
and group analyses should relate core concepts from the course to the central
issues of the case, and provide thoughtful responses to the questions posed
about the case. Here are the key dates/deadlines:
+Wednesday, Jan. 12: Detailed instructions and questions for
the case study analysis will be distributed in class.
+Friday, Jan. 14: each section will form six groups (4-5 students per group),
for collaboration on the case study and the group presentations later in quarter
(see requirements #4 & 5 below). Group members should exchange email addresses
in order for coordination. Students who are absent from section on this day
will be assigned a group and expected to initiate contact with group members,
AND will lose 5 points from their section participation grade unless the absence
is due to a medical emergency or a previously scheduled sports event in which
their participation is mandatory (in these cases appropriate documentation
must be provided).
+Friday, Jan. 21: Today's section will be devoted to group work on the case
study. Each student must turn in a hard copy of each his/her individual responses
to the case study questions to the TA at the beginning of section AND bring
enough copies for each member of his/her group. After today's section meeting,
group members should also exchange their individual responses with each other
electronically, either via email or via the Catalyst Peer Review tool in order
to compile a common text. If a group wants to use Catalyst Peer Review, they
need to decide that in advance and take the initiative to set up their group
"space" prior to Friday, Jan. 21. (See the directions for Peer Review
"owner/instructor" at http://catalyst.washington.edu/tools/peer_review.html
for instructions on setting up/using Peer Review.)
+Friday, Jan. 28: At the beginning of section, each group will turn in a jointly-authored
analysis (hard copy) that addresses the case study questions. Each group will
give an informal presentation of their analyses and conclusions in section.
3. Midterm: February 7
The midterm exam will consist of 25 multiple choice questions on course content introduced to date in the readings, lectures, videos and sections.
4. Small Group Presentation: Media Industry Analysis
Working in a group of 4-5 students from your section, you will analyze recent international developments (since 2002) in one of the media industries covered in the course. Using news archives, industry reports and other online sources, each group will develop a summary of some of the key recent events and trends in the international development of a media industry, and make a 10-12 minute oral presentation in section. A different group will present each week between weeks 5-8; the date of your group's presentation will depend on which media industry your group analyzes. Each group must prepare an outline highlighting the main points of their presentation and bring enough copies to distribute to everyone in the section that day. Click here for detailed instructions and presentation assessment criteria.
5. Small Group Presentation: Country Analysis
Working in a group of 4-5 students from your section, you will conduct an in-depth analysis together on political, economic and/or cultural issues, actors and trends related to ICTs in a country outside the U.S. Each group will make a 10-12 minute oral presentation of their findings in section on either March 4 or March 11 . Each group must prepare an outline highlighting the main points of their presentation and bring enough copies to distribute to everyone in the section that day. Detailed instructions are available here.
6. Final Exam
The final exam will consist of 25 multiple choice questions focusing on course content introduced in readings, lectures, videos and sections in the second half of the course. The exam is scheduled for Monday, March 14, 2:30-4:20pm, in COM 120.
