First-Year Seminar

This first-year seminar introduces new scholars to debates surrounding contemporary issues in communications studies and serves as a foundation for the scholars' subsequent media studies and service commitments.

Each week, two or three scholars lead lively discussions of that week's assigned reading. The remaining group responds, honing critical analytical skills in debate as well as in written investigation of the issues at hand.

Sample first-year seminar syllabus

Section I: Globalization and its Dimensions

Introduction to course; Definition(s) of Globalization; Historical Dimensions of Globalization
Economic and Political Dimensions of Globalization
Cultural Dimensions of Globalization
Ideological Dimensions of Globalization

Section II: Globalization and (its) Media (Debates)

Global Marketing and Culture Jamming
Global News and Compassion Fatigue
Global Cinema/Television and Spectatorship
Global Media and Activism

Section III: Globalization and its Phenomena

The Global Event: The Olympics
The Global Cause: Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders
The Global Conflict: Terrorism
The Global Case Study: Celtic Tiger Ireland