Communications and Media - Junior

Course # MDIA 3070

Credits 6

Course Description

This course explores how processes of globalization have shaped global media and communications systems. This is done though examining the primary theories surrounding globalization and their applicability and relevance to media and communication systems. The course examines the relevance of globalization theories to media and communications through the lenses of politics, economy, culture and history. It focuses on the ways in which these processes of globalization have affected the media and communications landscape of Asia and the areas of Eastern Europe, the Middle East, India and China. Themes of study include media imperialism, the rise of transnational networks, global media events, global representation and media representation and media policy and regulation at global, regional and national levels.

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon the completion of the course, students will be able to:

• Discuss the key aspects of cultural globalization in relation to the constraints and opportunities this poses for media organizations;
• Analyze the constraints and opportunities posed by cultural globalization in economic, political and social terms;
• Explore the ways in which different global media outlets and organizations operate within the context of cultural globalization
• Explain the role of media and regulation in creating local narratives 

Course Assessments and Grading

Course # MDIA 3154

Credits 6

Prerequisites and/or Corequisites: Media Production Print, Media Production Radio

Course Description

This course focuses on screen media processes and the practical skills in TV directing, producing, scriptwriting, camera operating and sound production techniques in digital and traditional formats of media production. The preparation, technical, and presentation skills involved in the production of audio-visual content for television and online content delivery are explored. With an emphasis on the fundamental elements of media production for TV, video graphic narratives and discourses that constitute the screen media landscape in Central Asia are practiced. The contextualized TV content production for screen journalism, non-fiction/fiction filmmaking, and digital media will be analyzed.

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon the completion of the course, students will be able to:

• Analyze TV programs in terms of their visual and aural styles.
• Practice and use audio and visual techniques to create professional quality television productions.
• Operate TV Studio equipment and devices to gain TV production skills to do professional media content.
• Apply theoretical, creative, and technical skills to produce content for TV.
• Explain the technical requirements and professional standards of screen production
• Create content that adheres to media ethics guidelines and models media literacy standards.

Course Assessments and Grading

Course # DMNS 2071

Credits 6

Prerequisites and/or Corequisites: None

Course Description

This course is designed to give students a solid basis for furthering their studies related to the biological sciences by striking a balance between mastery of core concepts and exposure to the breadth of the discipline. Students examine the interrelationships between organisms, their biotic and abiotic environments, and the genetic, evolutionary, and ecological processes governing the patterns we observe in nature. By the end of the course, students are expected to apply biological knowledge to new situations and to integrate concepts from multiple sub-disciplines to solve problems and make predictions about biological systems.

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon the completion of the course, students will be able to:

In Genetics:

• Introduce the sciences, including the scientific method, bioethics, and the fundamental concepts of chemistry and physics that provide a framework within which learners comprehend biological processes.
• Explain the structures, functions, and processes of the cell, the most basic unit of life.
• Introduce the earliest experiments that revealed the basis of genetics through the intricacies of DNA to current applications in the emerging studies of biotechnology and genomics.

In Evolution

• Explain the core concepts of evolution with examples illustrating evolutionary processes.
• Explain in what way each of the four major mechanisms of evolution (mutation, genetic drift, selection, gene flow) may contribute to adaptation, divergence, speciation and/or extinction.
• Describe evolutionary processes in the context of genetics.

In Ecology

• Explore the diversity life by distinguishing specific characteristics of every group of organisms.
• Discuss emerging phylogenetic relationships and its implication to sustainable ecosystems.
• Explain the core concepts of botany, plant life and processes.
• Discuss the form and function of the human (animal) body, including body systems and processes.
• Explain ecological concepts highlighting localized, real-world issues of conservation and biodiversity that relates to Central Asia.

Course Assessments and Grading

Course # MDIA 3199E

Credits 6

Prerequisites and/or Corequisites: N/A

Course Description

In this course, students develop an understanding of popular culture and its impact on everyday life. Popular culture offers a way of examining societies, cultural identities and ideologies across time and geography. It also plays a powerful role in shaping societal attitudes, values and ideologies. By “popular culture” we mean not only cultural texts distributed via mass communication networks, but equally the everyday practices and new digital media that give voice to grassroots sentiments. We start by discussing simple but important questions. Why is popular culture so …popular? How do we all “use” popular culture in our daily lives? What can the story of popular culture tell us about ourselves? Finally, what influence does popular culture have on shaping our perceptions of other countries and nations?

Starting with Central Asia as the focal point for the course, the effects of cultural flow within the region, with other parts of Asia and with the rest of the world will be discussed. The relevance of the traditional division of East and West, Orient and Occident, will be re-examined in the context of popular culture flow. We believe that through examining the flow of popular culture between different countries in Central Asia (and beyond) our students will develop interest, empathy and a desire to build strong relations with other countries based on mutual respect and understanding.

Course Learning outcomes:

Upon the completion of the course, students will be able to:

• Apply cultural theories and concepts to explain popular cultural phenomena
• Examine the historical, social and cultural environments that spawn popular culture products
• Discuss the relationship between popular culture, society, and cultural politics
• Analyse inter-Asia and global cultural flows using a multi-disciplinary approach
• Explain the factors that result in the formation of fan communities
• Examine the role of popular culture in developing mutual understanding and empathy between different countries.

Course Assessments and Grading

Course # MDIA 3071E

Credits 6

Course Description

This course introduces students to the theories and practices of visual communication.  Through the discussions of perceptual and critical theories, students read, analyse and interpret a variety of visual texts. These texts will include those of pre-modern craft mediums and extend to film, television, online media and other digital image-based mediums. The ways in which images are constructed to convey sociocultural, political, and commercial positions and preferences are analysed. A goal of the course is the acquisition of visual literacy skills, which can then be transferred into media production work. Visual communication will be explored as a global language, however local nuances will also be examined to provide students with contextualised directives in their practice. 

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon the completion of the course, students will be able to:

• Examine the ways in which explicit and implicit messages are visually encoded
• Analyse the dominant traditions, concepts and principles that inform visual communication
• Apply visual design strategies for an effective communication across distinct cultural contexts
• Explore the ways in which visual design informs and forms a core part of public discourses
• Critique patterns of production and consumption in visual communication practices
• Analyse the means-to-an-end technical strategies involved in visual communications

Course Assessments and Gradings

Course # MDIA 3133E

Credits AU

TBA

Course # HUSS 3072E

Credits 6

Prerequisites and/or Corequisites: None

Course Description 

The World Politics is in transition, and it is vividly observed that the modern state and the international system of modern states loom over all our lives. This is true in advanced industrial democracies, developing countries, and in the varied Central Asian context. But what is the state, and how is it organized? Students will learn what states do, and why they sometimes perform their functions effectively, while at other times they perform their functions less effectively. The course will focus on how some states successfully provide security, stability, infrastructure, education, and modernization, whereas others fail to do so. The course also explores the way in which the conditions of globalization, resulting into growing complex interdependence and transnational relations may be impacting states in new ways. This includes to address the daunting questions, like to what extent are states react to challenges and opportunities of global interdependence? What role states see, in response to rise of transnational actors that affect the behavior, autonomy and power of states?

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon the completion of the course, students will be able to:

• Describe the form(s) and function(s) of the state that distinguish it from other entities
• Describe how states behave in the international system of states
• Explore the variety of states in relation to local context and diverse legacies in the context
• Explain the role legitimacy and norms play in statehood
• Explore the ways in which states interact with and impact societies
• Analyze the varied impact of globalization on states
• Examine case studies of states navigating global challenges.
• Develop critical thinking skills in evaluating state responses to global issues.

Course Assessments and Grading

Course # COMP 2012E

Credits 2

Course Description

The course focuses on creating computer animation using Blender. The first 7 weeks of lectures and tutorials will cover geometric modelling, motion animation, shading, texturing, and lighting with the Blender computer animation package.

Students will work on their final animation projects in the last 7 weeks, but there may be one or two tutorials on reflection of the environment in shiny or glossy surfaces, and multiple bounce illumination.

There will be a final animation team project, to demonstrate skills with Blender in a creative setting, due for presentation in class during the last class week of the semester.

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon the completion of the course, students will be able to:

• Use surface-based geometric modelling tools for computer aided design.
• Build a character with a skin and skeleton, using Blender.
• Create an animation of a scene that changes in time, with lighting and camera motion.

Course Assessments and Grading

Physical training

Course # HUSS 1080

Credits 0

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites: None

Course description

The purpose of physical education is to strengthen health, develop the physical and mental abilities of students. Physical exercises and sports games is the way to a powerful and functional body, clear mind and strong spirit. The course is both practical and theoretical, it covers basic concepts of anatomy and physiology as well as health and safety requirements.  

Course learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course students will be able to:

• perform a range of physical activities
• understand health and safety requirements for a range of physical activities
• describe the role and progress of sport in Central Asia
• chose an appropriate physical activities program for their age and gender
• identify tiredness and its symptoms to control the body during athletic exercises
• describe the technique of running for a long and a short distance and jumping
• accomplish running for a short and a long distance and jumping according to all necessary norms
• describe the rules of a range of sports games
• participate in a range of sports games according to their rules and techniques

Course Assessments and Grading

* The course will be graded with PASS/FAIL.