James A. Brown (jbrown@bamanet.ua.edu), Telecommunication and Film Department, P.O. Box 870152, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487.
"Analysis of historical, economic, regulatory, and technological development of electronic communication systems and their interrelationship." --Graduate Catalog
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK
Sydney W. Head. World Broadcasting Systems: A Comparative Analysis. Belmont, CA:
Wadsworth Publishing, 1985. 457 pp.
Supplementary readings can be found in separate Bibliography for course (11 pages)
COURSE STRUCTURE & PROCEDURE
Readings in the textbook and handout notes provide progressive coverage of major topic areas. These will be supplemented by reading in other sources, including current data from journals, magazines and handouts.
Classes will consist of lecture, discussion based on readings, audio- and videotapes, plus reports and panel presentations by students.
After the mid-term exam, the course will become more of a seminar, with students presenting individual and small-group reports on selected topics. These oral reports are accompanied by written "mini-papers" that will be graded, commented on for substantive content, range of apt sources, and competence in basic writing as well as style. Coherent, logical, and carefully edited prose is required for each written assignment.
All assignments must be typewritten (or word-processed) and carefully proofread and corrected, using proper format. Carefully follow guidelines for each assignment.
A term paper is required on a selected, approved topic. Graduate students (TCF 547) develop a major research paper; guidelines will be provided during the course.
Examinations will be written (mostly essay questions): a Midterm Exam and a Final Exam. Exams are partly take-home and partly in-class.
Grades are based on: attendance and active participation 15 points
reports in class (oral + written) 20*
midterm exam 20
term paper 25*
final exam 20 .
TOTAL possible: 100 points
*More or fewer points may be selected between "class reports" and "term paper," to weight the balance in favor of each individual's preference (see accompanying sheet on these two project assignments.)
INSTRUCTOR
James A. Brown, Ph.D., associate professor
Office: 432c Phifer Hall (Communication Bldg.) Phone: 348-6350
Office hours: Mon/Wed/Fri 9:30-10:00; Wed 3:00-4:00; other times by appointment
Most efficient procedure: make appointment in advance, with me or via Dept. secretary (same phone#)
COURSE OUTLINE
Introduction: The nature of electronic communication; antecedents to establishing structures and systems in various socio-cultural, political contexts (Week #1)
1. Broad sweep of history: major trends and patterns (Weeks #1-3)
2. Analysis of various systems in countries of the world (Weeks #4-9)
3. Analysis of current and prospective trends/systems in the U.S.: (Weeks #10-#14)
a) impact of technologies: cable systems, satellites
b) impact of law/regulation policy; deregulation
c) impact of economics: major acquisitions, mergers, buy-outs of communication companies (networks/stations/cable systems; group ownership)
d) trends in program patterns--television, radio, cable--based on the above factors
e) current issues affecting future broadcast/cable operations
CLASS REPORTS & PAPERS
Each member of the class will present several oral reports in class about selected topics. Reports should be accompanied by whatever notes, handouts, or audio-visual items might be pertinent and available. Each report will be approximately 12 to 15 minutes. The presentation will be followed by class discussion of the topic, often including questions to the presenter about some of the data or interpretations. At least informal written material should be submitted at the end of the presentation (these might be organized notes, outlines, excerpts from other printed sources, possibly a written summary of main points made about the topic). These notes, based on researched sources, are the basis for each of several "mini-papers" by each student during the semester. Each paper will be reviewed and graded for substantive content, range of apt sources, and competence in basic writing as well as style.
Each student should plan on a minimum of two reports during the semester. Each will count for 10% of the course grade. Both will thus total one-fifth of the final grade.
Topics will be selected during the coming weeks, and tentative dates for presenting will be determined for each student. (See next page.)
TERM PAPER
A formal term paper will be due at the first class of "Study Week" (Monday, December 5). No extensions or delays will be possible.
The length and complexity of the paper can be balanced by each student against the number and quality of his/her personal class reports (and mini-papers) given during the semester.* A minimum paper might be 10 to 15 pages, double-spaced (unlike the exams for which single-spacing is preferred). A longer, full term paper would be 20 to 30 pages, double-spaced. It must be carefully and well written, following a consistent, acceptable format, with correct spelling, etc. Of course it must be typewritten or word- processed. Source materials must be identified by proper referencing (using a standard form of end-notes or footnotes), with a bibliography.
Each student may plot out his/her own emphasis for these assignments. That is, one person may prefer to emphasize several substantial in-class presentations (and receive an estimate of the grade for each) to determine whether their own term paper is a "heavy" or "medium" (probably not merely a "light") project. Grading will reflect each person's choices. For example, 3 or even 4 in-class oral reports and accompanying mini-papers might permit a term paper of 12 or so pages (oral reports earning approximately 6-10 points each, and the term paper valued at 10 to 15 points). Or: two in-class oral reports might prompt a term paper of 20 or more pages (if the reports were strong, then 20 pages; if the reports were not so extensive, then 25 or more pages), with points weighed to reflect those preferences.
This permits you to "lead from your strength" and personal interest—either emphasizing more of the smaller class presentations, or else leaning more on the major final term paper project.
This term paper will also be graded on substantive content, range of apt sources, and competence in basic writing as well as style. Graded term papers, annotated for corrections in content/style, will be returned at the Final Exam time.
*Graduate students taking this as TCF 545 must complete a major graduate-level research paper, substantially more detailed and substantive than undergraduate assignment. The instructor will confer with grad students at several points in the semester to guide their progress on this major project.
POSSIBLE TOPICS FOR ORAL REPORTS, MINI-PAPERS, & TERM PAPERS
Topics must relate to history or systems in telecommunications. They may focus on international matters, on comparative analysis of two or more national systems, or on domestic U.S. topics. They can treat media developments in past history, or current topics and issues in U.S. or world-wide broadcast media.
Possible areas include: historical origins or development of a private or governmental broadcast system; a major "mover and shaker" in media development (e.g., national network company, a key person in changes to radio-TV-cable operations); a topic or issue important to broadcasting today—in the U.S. or overseas or between nations.
Sample topics:
The BBC (its founding, philosophy, operations)
State-controlled broadcasting in selected country/ies
Electrical manufacturing corporations that created broadcast networks in the U.S. and how they have re-entered the scene in similar roles
The potential of DBS (direct broadcast satellites) and the threat--to competitive broadcasters, to other countries
Problems in establishing HDTV (high definition television)
The underlying principles of "public interest" and "public ownership" of the spectrum--how these concepts came about, and the debate to what extent they are or are not appropriate
The role for non-commercial broadcasting, especially in the U.S. (many key issues at stake)
Freedom of program content balanced against the right of access to media (by audience or others), and also in light of right of consumers to safeguards about what comes out of their receivers
Problems in exporting TV programs from one nation to another (effects on the "business" of broadcasting, but also on the life-styles or values/tastes of country receiving another's programming
What rights or restrictions ought go to cable TV--vs. over-air broadcast stations, vs. DBS systems, vs. the telephone companies' entry into program services?
Impact of VCRs on audience patterns of viewing TV (U.S./other nations)
Who runs radio-TV-cable in the U.S.; what changes in ownership may do to operations and potential career opportunities?
Will buy-outs and mergers (in U.S. and internationally) change radically the forms of radio-TV and even the content in future decades?
Will Britain and Japan and Italy and Germany "muscle in" on U.S. radio-TV as they did with the automotive and electronics industries?
Will new laws in the U.S. replace recent deregulation to "protect the airwaves" for audiences?
What role should public broadcasting play in the future, in the contect of many niche cable channels providing "quality" programming (arts, travel, education, documentaries, etc.)?
Any other topic approved by the instructor