SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION
CMNS 486-4

Catherine Murray	Fall 2001
RCB 6233: 291-5322	Burnaby, Day
Email: murraye@sfu.ca

SPECIAL TOPICS
TELEVISION, GLOBALIZATION AND CULTURAL IDENTITIES

This course introduces the student to the various theories concerning the study of television as a major resource for the construction of cultural identities within everyday life. While the major focus is on Canadian television, and critical analysis of policy discourses and televisual practices of 'national identity', the construction of diasporic and hybrid identities; race and gender are also addressed. What is 'cultural diversity'? How do we measure it both quantitatively and qualitatively? Do Canadian television policies promote it? What are the prospects for a 'separate cultural instrument' protecting cultural diversity outside of the WTO review of free trade in services?

The Project:

Canada joined the Council of Europe for a review of Canadian television in 2000. The object of this annual survey is to track the production and viewing of drama on TV, and openness to imports. The first annual Canadian study is entitled "Star Wars", forthcoming in Eurofiction 2000 edited by Dr. Milly Buonanno. This class will replicate the Canadian study and develop it further for possible presentation to the Standing Committee on Culture and Communications inquiry into Canadian broadcasting policy, which begins its hearings in late Fall of 2001.

Required Text:

Chris Barker (1999), Television, Globalization and Cultural Identities, London: Open
University Press. ISBN 0-335-19954-2.

Recommended Texts:

Colin Hoskins, et al (1997), Global Television and Film, Oxford: Clarendon Press.
Armand Mattelart (1994), Mapping World Communication, translated by Susan Emanuel
and James A. Cohen, Minneapolis: U. Minnesota Press.

Prerequisites:

Permission of Instructor, based on: Two upper level CMNS courses. Ability to work on one's own. Experience with one policy course ( broadcasting, telecommunications) and one methods course ( CMNS 362 or 363) recommended. Some data entry and data analysis required.

Grade Requirements :

You will be assigned in teams of two.
A. Report on Canadian Network Supply/Viewing (30 hours) 30%
B. Content Analysis of 3 sample weeks of Drama(30 hours) 30%
C. Pilot Study on Race/Gender Cultural Indicators (40 hours) 40%
Total Hours: 140 hours.

The School expects that the grades awarded in this course will bear some reasonable relation to established university-wide practices with respect to both levels and distribution of grades. In addition, the School will follow Policy T10.02 with respect to "Intellectual Honesty" and "Academic Discipline" (see the current Calendar, General Regulations section).

Schedule of Seminars:

( not to exceed 2 hours each )(assumes 2 hours reading)(totals 40 hours)

1. TV in a Globalizing Market
Readings: Barker Text, pp. 1-7; 33-60.
2. Construction of Identities
Readings: Text, pp. 9-32.
3. Culture Wars: TV Imperialism Thesis
Readings: Matellart " The International Regulation of flows" and "Revenge of the Cultures" pp. 167-188; 222-241.
Recommended: Colin Hoskins, et al "Why does the US Dominate Trade?" in Global Television and Film, London: Oxford, 1997. Pp. 37-51.
4. Rivalry and Local Resistance
Readings: Hoskins, et al, "The Rationale for Government Intervention and Public Policy", pp. 81-102.
5. The Eurofiction Project: Unmasking Cultural Proximity
Readings: Murray, De La Garde and Martin " Star Wars" and two other countries from the Eurofiction Project,
6. The Construction of Race and Nation
Readings: Text, pp. 60-85. Pp, 108-140 as relevant. Selected other sources, including Fleras, Henry et al.
7. De/Construction of Gender and Representation
Readings: Text, pp. 86-107. Pp. 108-140 as relevant. Selected other sources, including Radway and others.
8. Cultural Politics of Cultural Diversity
Readings: Text, pp. 141-171.
9. Post Positive Policy Research
10. Prospects for a Cultural Instrument: Cultural Capital and Cultural Rights

There will be two weeks reserved for presentations/workshops near the end of term.
Further information on the assignments will be released as needed during the term.
This course is a hybrid model of an academic and a field placement course.