Communications and Media - Senior

Course # MDIA 4082

6 Credits

Course Description

This course examines the relationship between media/public communication, law and ethics in Central Asia and those in other parts of the world. It analyzes ethical and legal principles, processes of reasoning and decision-making techniques that can be used to resolve possible tensions between formal and informal regulation, freedom of expression and the demands of every-day life.

Course Learning Outcomes

At the conclusion of this course, students will be able to:

• Explain law and regulations as they affect communication practices, locally and globally.
• Use a range of theoretical frameworks to critically reflect on the relationship between media, law, ethics and communication practices.
• Examine the social and political context in which legal frameworks have been developed.
• Discuss ethical issues emerging from contemporary communication practices, locally and globally.
• Apply culturally appropriate decision-making processes in response to ethical and legal issues arising in local and global contexts.

Course Assessments and Grading

Course # MDIA 4080

6 Credits

Course Description

The course examines a range of social science research methods and approaches with emphasis on their application to the context of media and communications, and discusses research as means of social inquiry. It focuses on research design; data collection, quantitative and qualitative data analysis, the critical appraisal and evaluation of primary and secondary research and understanding of ethics from communication and media research perspective.

Course Learning Outcomes

At the conclusion of this course, students will be able to:

• Analyse ethnographic research methods and key approaches to interviewing human participants
• Apply appropriate research methods to design research projects
• Explain the role of research within various forms of communication practice
• Explain the ethical implications of research practices and the external environment within which social research is conducted
• Define the key research and research-interpretation skills for work in public communications, advocacy, development and creative industries
• Explain how research informs professional communications practice

Course Assessments and Grading

Course # MDIA 4083E

6 Credits

Course Description

This course increases students’ knowledge and skills in using communication to advance different environmental discourses by connecting the local with the global. Students study a range of visual and written texts to learn how environmental communication is used by different actors in society to achieve certain outcomes. The role of communication is studied at the intersections of other key issues such as biodiversity, sustainable development, and climate change. Through the evaluation and creation of a range of texts students gain an understanding of how various contexts and media shape environmental communication discourses in the public sphere. Using holistic and systems thinking students conduct research, identify target audience and design effective messages that place community concerns at the centre.

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon the successful completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

• Examine the ways in which different political, cultural, economic and geographical contexts shape environmental communication discourses in the public sphere.
• Evaluate a range of texts and assess their effectiveness on the intended audience.
• Examine how visual texts act as cultural prism that shape our understanding of nature.
• Discuss the role of media in reporting key environmental issues in different societies while connecting the local with the global.
• Design communication responses to engage a variety of audiences about environmental issues.

Course Assessments and Grading

Course # MDIA 4191E

6 Credits

Course Description

This course explores advanced journalism and media storytelling practices. It provides students with an opportunity to develop a production project aligned with contemporary industry methods. This project showcases a professional identity centered around creative thinking and effective communication through media. Students practice the skills required to plan and pitch production proposals. Identifying and connecting with audiences, students draw on audience metrics to create relevant and engaging content and style. Students take advantage of ongoing media technological changes. Efforts to be made by students to place these developments and reflections within the context of Central Asia. This course builds on skills and capabilities students have gained throughout their study in theory and production courses.

Course Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Create storytelling projects using the latest industry methods, demonstrating a commitment to innovation in conceptualization and media articulation.
• Plan and deliver an effective story pitch, employing strong verbal, written, and analytical skills to the degree expected of a senior-level college student, while showcasing their professional identities.
• Produce technically well-packaged short documentaries, short films, and podcasts.
• Conduct in-depth interviews and fieldwork, enabling them to connect with and relate to various stakeholders while presenting facts and opinions through meticulous research and interviews.
• Collaborate with teams and engage with effectively with their teams and engaging with the local community to deliver stories and voices that resonate with the region.

Course Assessments and Grading