Students at Missouri Southern State University receive two hours of credit for participating in the International Media Seminar. Here is Dr. Chad Stebbins' course syllabus from the Spring of 2004. Students receive an additional hour of credit by enrolling in a French for Travel class taught by Dr. Eugene Chang.

SYLLABUS

Comm. 380
Missouri Southern State University
International Media Seminar

Instructor: Dr. Chad D. Stebbins
Office: WH-337A
Telephone: (Office) 625-9736; (Home) 649-6241
E-mail: stebbins-c@mssu.edu
Office hours: 9-10 M-W-F; and by appointment.

Rental Textbook: Blume, Mary (1999). A French Affair: The Paris Beat 1965-1998. New York: The Free Press (See reading assignments below)

Purchase Book: A Paris guidebook of your choosing

Readings: You are expected to read the International Herald Tribune, the world's daily newspaper, online at www.iht.com. The IHT is edited in Paris and delivered to more than 180 countries every day.

Course description: An extensive look at the world of international media through the experiences of renowned speakers and discussion leaders. Students will spend a week in Paris, France, attending seminars and conferences and meeting foreign correspondents, syndicated columnists, newspaper editors, television producers, and diplomats.

Prerequisite: Comm 111.

Objectives:
A. Gain insight into how various international media organizations operate.
B. Compare American media perspectives to those of their international counterparts.
C. Analyze international media internships and job opportunities that the student might qualify for.
D. Develop cross-cultural sensitivity and become familiar with the process of cross-cultural adaptation.
E. Gain a better comprehension of world issues and examine the student's role as a global citizen.

Procedures or Methods to be Used:
A. One hour each week in orientation and debriefing sessions before and after the trip.
B. Twenty-four hours of seminars, conferences, discussions, and on-site media visits spread over five weekdays in Paris, France, during spring break.
C. Class discussions of required reading before the trip.
D. Written reports and a final examination after the trip.

Evaluation:
A. Attendance, participation, and professionalism = 150 points
B. In-class report on some aspect of French culture or history = 25 points
C. Five pop quizzes from reading the International Herald Tribune = 50 points
D. Summary of all sessions attended in Paris = 200 points. Minimum of five pages, double-spaced, written in the third person, with personal observations and comments omitted.
E. Introspective report of your study abroad experience for the Institute of International Studies (1,000 words minimum) = 75 points
G. Final examination = 100 points

Grading scale:
540 to 600 = A (90%)
480 to 539 = B (80%)
420 to 479 = C (70%)
360 to 419 = D (60%)

Note: You must spend the week in Paris to receive a passing grade for the course.

Reading Assignments from A French Affair:
"Preface," page ix
"The Friends of Mona Lisa," page 17
"A Rueful Glance Ahead at New Face of Paris," page 22
"A Struggle for the Soul of a Paris Restaurant," page 33
"Animating Paris, City Hall Style," page 42
"Daniel Cohn-Bendit: Ten Years After the Events of May," page 54
"The Fine Art of Window Shopping," page 67
"Saint-Germain's Latest Brainstorm," page 72
"Money Speaks in France," page 87
"Getting Through France's Linguistic Jungle," page 91
"The 2CV: They Laughed, Then Loved It," page 98