COMPARATIVE AND INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION Telecom 877, MAY-JUNE 1996 Department of Telecommunication Michigan State University Instructor: Stephen D. McDowell COURSE DESCRIPTION: The course examines comparative and international telecommunications. We begin by considering cultural globalization, both the industry dynamics in media production and advertising, as well as the effects of global media products and services. The second part of the course considers international telecommunications institutions, as well as looking at the foreign telecommunications policies of the United States and the telecommunications policies of other countries and regions in the world. Part three of the course overviews the broader issues of economic globalization, while in the fourth part we analyze the relationship between the strategies of telecommunications firms and policies and the globalization of production, trade and financial flows. The concluding sessions (reading list to be distributed later) consider the role of the nation-state and "local" communities in the context of the characteristics of globalization that we have examined. The range of issues that we will consider varies from a broad overview of industry and institutional trends and themes to a closer examination of telecommunications policies, media industries, firm strategies, and implications for communications and culture. In each area, however, we will be trying to identify the key developments and large issues at stake, and to build a framework for analysis, rather than merely acquire information. There is a large volume of readings offered for use in preparation for each session and in writing discussion papers. However, I will indicate before each session the high priority pieces that should be read closely. REQUIREMENTS: Course requirements are participation in class discussions, presentations on readings, three "issues and concepts" papers, and two take-home tests. Participants are encouraged expected to attend and participate in lectures and seminar discussions in an active and informed fashion. Readings should be completed before each class session for which they are assigned. Participants will each be assigned readings as the basis for class presentations. These oral class presentations should be 10-15 minutes in length, and should take the form of an analytic introduction of the reading. These brief introductions should provide your own assessment of the reading and its contributions and weaknesses, rather than a descriptive summary. The presentation should lead into questions for discussion, and provide your own perspective and analysis on those questions. The "issues and concepts" or discussion papers deal with some of the literature from one session of the schedule of topics. As well as defining clearly the question that you will discuss, the papers should compare and contrast perspectives from that week's assigned readings, and provide your own argument and analysis. Papers should use an accepted and consistent citation format, and should not exceed 5-6 pages in length (double- spaced). They will be marked based on writing style and clarity, organization, command and application of course material, and analysis and insight of the argument. The first discussion paper (dealing with one week's readings from Part I of the course outline) is due on Wednesday May 29. The second discussion paper should address a question or issue from one session's readings from Part II, and is due by Monday June 10. The third discussion paper should address a question from one session's readings in Part IV or V, and is due on Wednesday June 26. There will also be two short in-class tests based on key concepts as identified in course material, and arguments in the readings and lectures. They will ask for written answers to three types of questions formats (i.e., define and explain the significance of..., compare and contrast..., short answer). Please keep your own paper copies or electronic copies of any work submitted. Be careful to cite fully any ideas or direct quotations drawn from others' work in your assignments. EVALUATION: Requirement Weighting Participation 10% Discussion Paper One (due Wednesday May 29) 20 Discussion Paper Two (due Monday June 10) 20 Discussion Paper Three (due Wednesday June 26) 20 Test One (Wednesday June 5) 15 Test Two (Monday June 17) 15 TEXTS AND READINGS: Several publications have been ordered and are available at the MSU and other area bookstores. The MSU bookstore (ph: 517- 355-3450 or 1-800-242-6620, ask for Textbook Office) will accept telephone order paid via credit card, and ship the books to you. Barnet, Richard, and John Cavanah, Global Dreams (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1994). Nordenstreng, Kaarle, and Herbert I. Schiller (eds.), Beyond National Sovereignty: International Communication in the 1990s (Norwood, NJ: Ablex, 1993). Mody, Bella, Johannes M. Bauer, and Joseph Straubhaar (eds.), Telecommunications Politics: Ownership and Control of the Information Highway in Developing Countries (Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum, 1995). Mansell, Robin, The New Telecommunications: A Political Economy of Network Evolution (Thousand Oaks: Sage, 1993). Drake, William J. (ed.), The New Information Infrastructure: Strategies for U.S. Policy (New York: Twentieth Century Fund, 1995). A package of the supplementary readings for students' use is available through Ned's Bookstore in East Lansing (153 E Grand River, ph: 517-332-4200). Ned's will process telephone orders paid via credit cards, and arrange to have the packet shipped to you. JOURNALS AND PERIODICALS: There are also a number of journals and periodicals that are especially useful for research in telecommunications: Telecommunications Policy Journal of Communication Telematics and Informatics European Journal of Communication Media, Culture and Society Canadian Journal of Communication Telephony Journal of International Communication Cable and Broadcasting Broadcasting and Electronic Media (Ohio State Intermedia Journal of Media Economics Telecommunication ELECTRONIC RESOURCES: A list of online resources on international and comparative telecommunication will also be distributed. SCHEDULE OF TOPICS AND READINGS: Monday May 13: Introduction and Overview PART ONE: TELECOMMUNICATIONS GLOBALIZATION AND CULTURE Wednesday May 15: Globalization of cultural industries Barnet text, pp. 25-160 Graham Murdock. The new Mogul empires: media concentration and control in the age of convergence. Media Development. 4/1994 (RP) Mario A. Kakabadsiie. The World Trade Organization and the commodification of cultural products. Media Asia, 22, 2, 1995 (RP) Joseph Straubhaar, "Beyond Media Imperialism: Assymetrical Interdependence and Cultural Proximity." (RP) Videos: Monday May 20: Global marketing and advertising/ News Flows and Political Communciations Barnet text, pp. 163-207 Anonymous. Does the world want its MTV: historical survey of MTV's quest to build a global audience. Submitted for review to the ICA, 1996. (RP) Laurien Alexandre, in Nordenstreng and Schiller text, pp. 433-370. Oliver Boyd-Barrett, in Nordenstreng and Schiller text, pp. 177-192. Videos: Wednesday May 22: Effects of globalization of audiovisual and other media products Omar Souki Oliveira, in Nordenstreng and Schiller text, pp. 116-131. John Andrews. Culture Wars. Wired, May 1995, pp. 130-138. RP Michael B. Salwen. Cultural Imperialism: A Media Effects Approach. Critical Studies in Mass Communication. 8, 1991, 29-38. RP Beverly James. Learning to Consume: An Ethnographic Study of Cultural Change in Hungary. Critical Studies in Mass Communication. 12, 1995, 287-305. RP Ullamaija Kivikura, in Nordenstreng and Schiller text, pp. 148-176. PART TWO: INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND COMPARATIVE TELECOMMUNICATIONS POLICIES Wednesday May 29: Global Telecommunications Institutions (Discussion Paper One is due) Daniel Headrick in Mody, Bauer, Struabharr text, pp. 31-49. Rutkowski, Anthony, "Multilateral Cooperation in Telecommunications: Implications of the Great Transformation," in William J. Drake (ed.), The New Information Infrastructure: Strategies for U.S. Policy (New York: Twentieth Century Fund, 1995), pp 223-250. Nicolaides, Kalypso, "International Trade in Information- Based Services: The Uruguay Round and Beyond," in William J. Drake (ed.), The New Information Infrastructure: Strategies for U.S. Policy (New York: Twentieth Century Fund, 1995), pp 269-302. Cowhey, Peter, "Building the Global Information Highway: Toll Booths, Construction Contracts, and the Rules of the Road, in William J. Drake (ed.), The New Information Infrastructure: Strategies for U.S. Policy (New York: Twentieth Century Fund, 1995), pp 175-204. Lanvin, Bruno, "Why the Global Village Cannot Afford Information Slums," in William J. Drake (ed.), The New Information Infrastructure: Strategies for U.S. Policy (New York: Twentieth Century Fund, 1995), pp 205-222. Chakravarthi Raghavan, in Nordenstreng and Schiller text, pp. 64-81. Other: Woodrow, R. Brian. "Tilting towards a trade regime: The ITU and the Uruguay Round services negotiations," Telecommunications Policy (August 1991), pp. 323-342. Shefrin, Ivan, "The North-American Free Trade Agreement: Telecommunications in Perspective," Telecommunications Policy (January-February 1993), pp. 14-26. Monday June 3: United States Foreign Telecommunications Policies United States Senate, "The IT&T and Chile, 1970-1971." RP Reidenberg, Joel R., "Information Flows on the Global Infobahn: Toward New U.S. Policies," in William J. Drake (ed.), The New Information Infrastructure: Strategies for U.S. Policy (New York: Twentieth Century Fund, 1995), pp. 251-268. Eileen Mahoney, "The Utilization of International Communications Organizations, 1978-1992," Chapter 14 in Kaarle Nordenstreng and Herbert I. Schiller (eds.), Beyond National Sovereignty: International Communication in the 1990s (Norwood, NJ: Ablex, 1993). Calabrese, Andrew, and Wendy Redal, "Is there a U.S. Foreign Policy in Telecommunications? Transatlantic Trade Policy as a Case Study," Telematics and Informatics Vol. 12, No. 1 (1995), pp. 35-56. (RP) Hollifield, Ann, and Rohan Samarajiva, "Changing discourses in U.S. international information-communication policy: From free flow to competitive advantage," Gazette Vol. 54 (1994), pp. 121-143. (RP) Other: U.S. Congress, "Trade Implications of Foreign Ownership Restrictions on Telecommunications Companies," Hearings March 3, 1995. (RP) Immanuel Wallerstein in Nordenstreng and Schiller text, pp . 59-63. Wednesday June 5: Comparing Communications Systems and Policies (In-class open book test at beginning of class) Mansell text, Chapter 4 Mody/ Straubharr/Bauer text, Chapters 1, 8, 9, 10. Jesus Martin Barbero in Nordenstreng and Schiller text, pp. 132-147. Edward S. Herman in Nordenstreng and Schiller text, pp. 84- 115. PART THREE: ECONOMIC GLOBALIZATION Monday June 10: Globalization of corporate economic power (Discussion Paper Two is due) Stephen Hymer. The multinational corporation and the law of uneven development. In George Modelski. Transnational Corporations and World Order. pp. 386-403. SFO: WH Freeman, 1979. (RP) Barnet text, pp. 13-22. Brendan Martin. The State of the Global Economy. In In the Public Interest? London: Zed Books, 1993. (RP) Other: Galtung in Nordenstreng and Schiller text, pp. 29-58. Wednesday June 12: Mergers, Alliances and Joint Ventures Mansell text, Ch.9 Peter Cowhey and Jonathan D. Aronson. Managing the World Economy: the Consequences of Corporate Alliances. Ch.3. pp.29-57. NY: Council on Foreign Relations, 1993. RP Sharon Strover. Recent Trends in Coproductions: the Demise of the National. In Farrell Corcoran and Paschal Preston. Democracy and Communication in the New Europe. NJ, Creskill: Hampton Press, 1995. RP) Culpan, Refik (ed). Multinational strategic alliances. Ch. 1. NY: International Business Press 1993. RP Yoshino, MY and Rangan, V. (1995). Strategic alliances: an entrepreneurial approach to globalization. Ch. 1. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard U. Press RP PART FOUR: GLOBALIZATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS FIRMS Monday June 17: Globalization, technology, and telecommunications firms (In-class test at beginning of class) Mansell text, Introduction, chs. 1, 2, 10. Garcia, Linda, "The Globalization of Telecommunications and Information," in William J. Drake (ed.), The New Information Infrastructure: Strategies for U.S. Policy (New York: Twentieth Century Fund, 1995), pp 75-92. Office of Technology Assessment, U.S. Telecommunications Services in European Markets (Washington,DC: OTA, 1993), Chapters 3 & 4, pp. 47-90. Wednesday June 19: Globalization of telecoms: Facilitating global finance, trade and production Barnett text, pp. 359-417 Estabrook, M. Programmed Capitalism. Armonk: NY, M.E. Sharpe, 1988. Ch. 8 RP Mody text, chs. 4, 5 Robert Schware and Paul Kimberley. Information Technology and Trade Facilitation: Making the Most of Global Trade. World Bank Technical Paper 316, 1995 RP U.S. Department of Commerce. Technology Speeds Help to U.S. Exporters. Paper distributed at the 1995 State of the Art Institute on South East Asia The Information Age. Nov. 2-3, 1995. Wash D.C. RP Brendan Martin. Electricity and Telecoms: Utilities for Whom? In the Public Interest Ch. 3. ibid. RP Other: Vincent Mosco. Ch. 10 in Nordenstreng text. PART FIVE: CONCLUSIONS Monday June 24: Whither the Nation-State? J. M. Bauer, "The emergence of global networks in telecoms: transcending national regulations and market constraints," Journal of Economic Issues V 28 N 2 (June 1994) (RP). William Drake in Nordenstreng and Schiller text, pp. 259- 313. Cees Hamelink in Nordenstreng and Schiller text, pp. 371- 393. Wednesday June 26: Local Initiatives and Implications (Discussion paper three is due)