Course Description. This class examines the role of communication in two areas: third world development and international relations. In the area of development communication, we will study the evolution of major theories of development, current problems facing development communicators, and concrete applications of communication to problems in development. In the area of international relations, we will study theoretical and practical concepts of communication from both contemporary and historical perspectives, particularly as they relate to issues of cultural autonomy, political rights, and social justice.
    The first half of the course constitutes an historical survey of development communication, a subfield of international communication. The second half of the course is an introductory venture into contemporary issues and debates in international communication. During this part of the course, we will be reading two books that provide contrasting viewpoints of the current state of international communication. Students will be asked to engage in classroom analysis and debate concerning these contrasting viewpoints.

Alleyne, M. D. (1995). International power and international communication. New York: St. Martin's Press.

Melkote, S. R. (1991). Communication for development in the third world: Theory and practice. New Delhi: Sage.

Stevenson, R. L. (1994). Global communication in the twenty-first century. White Plains, NY: Longman.

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1. Midterm and Final Exams (50%--25% midterm, 25% final)
   
2. Country Briefing (20%)
   
3. Field Trip Debriefing (10%)
   
4. Group Project--Mapping World News (20%)

1. Exams. Two, closed-book exams comprising short identification and essay questions. Students will generate the essay questions for both exams.
2. Country Briefing. This is a brief but concentrated report of a country of the students' choice. It should be written as if it were to be given to a cultural attache entering diplomatic service in the chosen country. Since public relations is a principal function of cultural attaches, the briefing book must give adequate attention to the media system of the country. Papers should range from 6-10 pages.
3. Field Trip Debriefing. Following a class field trip, students will write a brief report that analyzes the experience using concepts from the text.
4. Mapping World News. Small groups will be assigned to monitor and analyze a news broadcast for one week. The group must conduct a content analysis of the programming and create a map of the world that represents the portrayal of nations and regions according to the coverage.

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1. Attendance (read carefully). Regular attendance is expected. Two absences for any reason are allowed without penalty and should be used like "sick leave." After two absences, students will be penalized 1 point off their final grade in the class for each day missed (final grade based on a 100 point total). The only exceptions to this are excused absences for university business, which must be documented prior to the absence. Students experiencing serious illnesses or family emergencies should either drop the course or speak with the professor, as these situations do not constitute exemptions from the attendance policy. Persistent lateness will be counted as absences. Anyone missing the equivalent of three weeks or more of class will automatically fail the course.
2. Field Trip. This class entails an overnight field trip to the U.S.-Mexico border programmed to depart San Antonio at 5 p.m., Thursday, February 17 and return by about 10 p.m. Friday, February 18. This is official, university business, and you will receive a note asking your professors to excuse you from classes and obligations without penalty. Attendance on this field trip is not required and you will not be penalized in any way should you decide to complete an optional assignment in lieu of the field trip. Because I need to make arrangements for lodging, however, I must know by the next class session how many students will be participating in the field trip. Students who would prefer not to participate in the field trip need to notify me in writing (this can be a hand-written note) that they will not be going on the trip by the class meeting on January 13. Your field trip fee will be reimbursed and an optional assignment will be given to you later in the semester.
3. Written Assignments. The various assignments are due at the beginning of class on the dates indicated. Late assignments (regardless of the reason) will be penalized a third of a letter grade for each day late. If late work is turned into my office mailbox, it should be date stamped by the department office and done at the student's risk should it get lost. All work should be typed (or computer printout) and stapled in the upper left hand corner (no plastic spines or covers). All assignments must include name of course and professor, name of assignment, your name, and title on the first page. All other pages must be numbered. Attention should be paid to both form (grammar, spelling, punctuation, appearance) and content (clarity, organization, relevance). If possible, print all work in 12 point Times font.
4. Exams. No early exams given. Late exams given in cases of documented medical emergencies only.
5. Readings. Students should have the readings completed on the date assigned in the class schedule.
6. Academic integrity. Students are expected to be familiar with the definitions of academic integrity outlined on pages 1 and 2 of the Student handbook, particularly the section on plagiarism. Any violations of academic integrity will be dealt with as outlined in the student handbook.

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Jan 11-13	Introduction Overview How to write exam questions	Country Briefing explained Melkote, Ch. 1, pp. 19-31 Groups assigned
Jan 18-20	Early development theories	Ch. 2, pp. 37-61 Exam questions--group 1--Tue
Jan 25-27	Early communication approaches	Ch. 3, pp. 62-92 Exam questions--group 2--Tue
Feb 1-3	Critique of early development theories	Ch. 4, pp. 96-137 Exam questions--group 3--Tue Country Briefing due Tue
Feb 8-10	Critique of communication theories	Ch. 5, pp. 138-173 Exam questions--group 4--Tue
Feb 15-17	New theories of development	Ch. 6, pp. 177-227 Exam questions--group 5--Tue Field Trip, depart Thursday 5 p.m., in front of Witt
Feb 22-24	Field trip debriefingNew communication strategies	Ch. 7, pp. 228-271 Prepare exam questions in class (Thu) Field Trip Reports due (Thu)
Feb 29-Mar 2		Review for exam (Tue) Midterm (Thu)
Mar 7-9	Spring Break
Mar 14-16	Introduction: Issues in Intl. Comm.	videotape--Distress Signals
Mar 21-23	Theoretical frameworks in international communication	Group 1--discussion leaders/exam questions for both chapters--Tue Alleyne, Ch. 1, pp. 1-20 Stevenson, Ch. 5, pp. 103-137
Mar 28-30	International institutions and regulation	Group 2--discussion leaders/exam questions for both chapters--Tue Alleyne, Ch. 2, pp. 21-38 Stevenson, Ch. 13, pp. 317-341
Apr 4-6	Flow of cultural products Assignment: News Monitoring	Group 3--discussion leaders/exam questions for both chapters--Tue Alleyne, Ch. 3, pp. 39-65 Stevenson, Ch. 6, pp. 139-161
Apr 11-13	News monitoring this week World news, propaganda, censorship	Group 4--discussion leaders/exam questions for both chapters--Tue Alleyne, Ch. 4, pp. 66-95 Stevenson, Ch. 12, pp. 287-315
Apr 18-20	Cultural relations/cultural diplomacy	Group 5--discussion leaders/exam questions for both chapters--Tue Alleyne, Ch. 5, pp. 96-117 Stevenson, Ch. 14, pp. 343--368
Apr 25-27	NWICO	due: Mapping World News--Group presentation (Tue) Alleyne, Ch. 6, pp. 118-163 Stevenson, Ch. 10, pp. 231-259 Prepare exam questions in class/Course evaluation (Thu)
May 2	Persistent questions in international communication/Review	Alleyne, Ch. 7, pp. 164-176

Final Exam--Tuesday, May 9, 9 a.m. Late arrivals to the final exam will be penalized on the final exam scores.

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