Thursday, January 26, 2012

How to Study a Course Reading


1. Start with an outline of the reading.  For example, below is an outline for the first chapter of McPhail’s Global Communication (3rd Edition).  Sometimes you may find an expanded/detailed chapter outline at the beginning of the book.  If not, like below, you’ll have to do it yourself.


Chapter/Reading Title: Global Communication (Background)


Introduction
Terrorism and September 11, 2001
Latin American Media
Left-wing Connection: Latin America
Chile: US Government Media Interaction
History of the War Correspondent
New World Information and Communication Order (NWICO)
Electronic Colonialism Theory (ECT)
Four Epochs of Global Colonization
History of Electronic Colonialism Theory
What is Electronic Colonialism Theory (ECT)?
World System Theory (WST)
The Connection: Electronic Colonialism and World Systems Theories
Communication Forces among Nations
Breadth of the Problem
Format for the Balance of the Book

With this outline you can see the big picture and how things are related.


2. Fill in he outline with words and lists.  Note that already in the outline there may be lists that you spot.  For example, in the outline above, there is already a short list of global communication theories (ECT and WST).  A possible quiz or exam question could be: Identify and explain two theories of global communication identified in the reading.

Below only some of the relevant words and lists are incorporated into the outline.  This is not complete, but serves as an example.  The few examples given are in italics and in blue in the example outline below.


Chapter/Reading Title: Global Communication (Background)


Introduction

Three Important Traits of the Cultural Dimension of Global Communication
How much foreign content....
How is this foreign content...
How are domestic....

Terrorism and September 11, 2001
Latin American Media
Left-wing Connection: Latin America
Chile: US Government Media Interaction
History of the War Correspondent
New World Information and Communication Order (NWICO)
NWICO stands for New World Information and Communication Order and is...

Electronic Colonialism Theory (ECT)
Four Epochs of Global Colonization
1 Military colonialism - BC-1000 AD...
2 ….
3….
4….

History of Electronic Colonialism Theory
What is Electronic Colonialism Theory (ECT)?
World System Theory (WST)
The Connection: Electronic Colonialism and World Systems Theories
Communication Forces among Nations
Breadth of the Problem
Format for the Balance of the Book


3. Now carefully study the expanded outline.  Maybe break it apart into flash cards or condense it and put it on one sheet of paper.  Do whatever works for you.  Now also, based on the expanded outline, try to anticipate possible quiz or exam questions.  For example, a question from the reading above could be:  Identify and briefly explain the four epochs of global colonization.



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