COSC7311 EXAM NOTES:
LU1:
LO1: Explain the concept of ‘global communication:
- International communication:
Processes occurring amongst states.
State losing power – still have influence in facilitating, promoting or hindering
communication across borders.
International arena = state and non-state interactions.
o Intergovernmental organisations (IGOs)
o International non-governmental organisations (INGOs)
o Transnational business corporations (BINGOs)
o International public service organisations (PINGOs)
- World communication:
Broader meaning than international communication.
French: Mondial.
- Trans border communication:
Com: ‘glocal’ process – ‘messages’ flow across borders.
- Global communication:
Aspiration than reality.
Globalises but stays local = glocal
Cultural proximity: attachment - strongest culture ‘comfort’ experienced.
Existence: global society.
All people matter, participate equally.
- Internet and com: go hand in hand.
o Material and psychological concept.
o Decentralised.
o Horizontally structured.
o De-territorialised.
LO2: Discuss global communication as a complex multi-layered process in which
dominant and counter stories flow across the world:
Flows:
- Society constructed around flows.
- Multidirectional movements (linear and circular, top down and bottom up, engineered
and spontaneous).
Stories:
- Messages transported around the globe.
- Human knowledge through stories.
- Provides patterns, structures, adapt to environment.
- Global com: complex, multi-layered process - dominant and counter-stories flow.
- Counter-stories of local production, storytelling in diasporas
- ‘Storytelling’ – umbrella concept: ideas, opinions, knowledge, information, data,
sounds.
Global communication is the basic flow:
- Flow of stories essential to other flows (people, goods, money).
, - Cross-border flow = important to trading across the world and to global financial
transactions.
- International political arena dependent on stories (diplomatic, propagandistic, public
relations).
- Global com: crucial source - perceptions of the world, sense of belonging.
o Key player in the global economy.
o Essential to global politics.
o Military operations depend upon global communication.
o Cultural expressions.
LO3: Discuss the globalisation of communication:
- Rise of global media: late 18th century/early 19th century. Telegraph, wireless
connections, global news distribution.
- Expansion of global com: imperial countries struggled to control communication
infrastructures.
- Globalisation of capitalism: stronger influence (organisation and control of global
communication) than imperialism.
- Heaviest communication networks and flows – most developed world markets.
- 20th century: potential of international propaganda, film industry – international
medium, recoded music industry globalised.
- Late 1970s: TV satellites introduced
- Impossible to resist TV transmissions from other countries.
- International media productions localising.
- National level of media still dominant where 90% of population live.
- North-South gap.
- Local framing of global news: most important. Global events = local stories.
- Nationalism: crucial factor in news and entertainment.
- Increase in transnational channels: people moving.
- Nature of cultural mixing = ‘hybridisation’ of cultures.
- New communication technologies: export media products across countries.
LO4: Critically discuss the context of global communication by focusing on the
following aspects:
- Trans-localisation.
- Urbanisation.
- Institutionalisation.
- Inequality.
- Global risks.
Translocation:
- Com takes place – context is the concept of globalisation.
- Concept: process - distribution of x across the globe.
- Globalisation – history:
o Migration, trade routes, 4 great inventions in China = globalisation.
o 20th century & industrial revolution: modern capitalist globalisation.
o Corporate globalisation after WW2 – separated industrial and non-industrial
nations.
, o Centre nations controlling 5 monopolistic spheres (technology, finance,
PROTAGONISTS: SCEPTICS:
FREE MARKET More directly/indirectly Global economy: few rich
affected by free market countries.
economies. 90% OECD: Australia, New
capitalism. Zealand, Germany, Ireland.
GLOBAL Increasing – technology Argue: most trading not
TRADING advances, cost reduction. global, but w/in
geographical regions.
FINANCIAL Growth: offshore financial Capital flows – short-term
MARKETS markets & global circulation speculative investments,
of money. not productive capital.
Rapid money: risk for 3rd
world.
GLOBAL Good for labour force, Most refugees stay in own
MOBILITY refugees, migrants. region, most labour not
mobile.
SOCIAL Global consciousness CNN-type global solidarity.
PROCESSES intensifies. More separate global
villages. No cosmopolitan
consciousness.
VIEW ON Unavoidable consequence Explanation based on
GLOBALISATION of modern technological technological determinism
developments. limited.
NATION STATE Think nation has lost its Still in control, help many
sovereign power. big corporations.
resources, weapons, communication).
o 2 essential features of 20th century global expansion:
Interdependence (in climate and health).
Spread of modernity (global parliamentary democracy), in economy
(free markets), in culture (lifestyle, fashion, food).
- Globalisation: the political programme:
o Advocates for globalisation:
Creates worldwide open, competitive markets – promotes global
prosperity.
Global free markets = more employment, better quality goods and
services, lower consumer prices.
Promotes cultural differentiation.
o Critics:
Neo-liberal political programme: promotes interests of powerful
players.
Farmers, workers, immigrants, youth, women: negatively affected.
Globalisation of poverty.
Disguise for cultural imperialism.
Urbanisation: