Course Description
This course is a graduate-level course that examines the legal, political, social, technological and economic frameworks in which telecommunication policy is formulated in the United States. For the purpose of this course, the term "telecommunication" will be defined broadly as public and private electronic communication, including telephone systems, broadcasting (local and network), cable television and radio, satellite-delivered data transmission and audio-visual programming, and computer networks (Internet and WWW). In addition, the course explores the consequences of policies adopted and not adopted.
Of paramount importance in U.S. telecommunications policymaking is the relationship among

1. Congress;
2. The Executive branch;
3. The Courts;
4. Industry and its lobbyists; and
5. The Citizenry.

Course Objectives
At the conclusion of the course, the student should be able

• To understand how public policy in telecommunication is formulated;
• To articulate knowledge of how past policies have influenced the current telecommunication industries;
• To discuss telecommunication policy in terms of social, political, and economic impact.

Texts
The following texts will be used in this class. WWW access is also required.

• Foundations of Communications Policy by Philip Napoli
• The problem of the media: U.S. communication politics in the 21st century by Robert McChesney
• Communications policy and the public interest: The Telecommunications Act of 1996 by Patricia Aufderheide
• COM 563 Supplementary Reading List (Adobe Acrobat required)
• The New York Times Online
  Media and Advertising Section
• Newslink: Site for links to news outlets (including newspapers, magazines and broadcast stations).
• GLOSSARY OF TERMS
  
  Additional Resources:
  
  • Government Printing Office (GPO)
    
  • Federal Communications Commission
  • FCC Working Group Studies on Media Ownership
  • Telecommunications Act of 1996: FCC page includes the Act and various links
  • U.S. Code: Title 47 (statutes that concern telecommunication)
  • Securities and Exchange Commission
  • National Telecommunications and Information Adminsitration
  • The Cato Institute Telecom Index Page
  • Center for Democracy and Technology
  • Center for Digital Democracy
  • Media Reform Information Center
  • National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Administrators (much useful information for those who know)
  • Ultra Concentrated Media, a chart of global media ownership
  • Telecommunications Virtual Library (links to various telecomm companies and publications)
  • Freepress.net (media reform organization)
  • BuzzMachine (blog by Jeff Jarvis, former writer for TV Guide)
  • PressThink (blog by Jay Rosen, professor at NYU
  
  
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  Assignments
  All assignment must be completed.

  1. Research Article Summary : Each undergraduate student will submit two research article summaries describing the topic and it's relevance to the course material. Articles can be found on the supplementary reading list page. Article summaries are due March 16 and April 13
  2. Class Discussion
  : Graduate student teams will organize readings and class discussion during the second half of the semester.
  3. Research Paper: Each student will research a topic in telecommunications policy and offer a specific policy proposal appropriate to that topic. The paper may be historical or contemporary. In addition to researching the topic, the paper must apply a communication theory framework or perspective, providing a justification for the policy initiative.
     The research paper will be completed according to the following schedule:
     • February 2: Research Topic Due
     • February 23: Preliminary Bibliography and Outline Due
     • March 30: First Draft of Research Paper Due
     April 27: Research Paper Due
  4. Policy Group Project: Teams will prepare a position paper to be submitted to a federal or state regulatory agency with jurisdiction over some aspect of telecommunications policy. The submission will advocate a position on a current issue the regulatory body. Choose from the following
     • Indiana House Bill 1148 limiting municipal ownership of ISPs
     
     
     
     • FCC Call for Comment on New Intercarrier Compensation Rules (telephone)
     
     
     
     • FCC Decision on Multicast Carriage of Broadcast Stations on Cable Systems

  Grading
  Course assignments and examinations will be weighted as follows:

  Assignment	Points
  Research article summary (2 x 100 points) Undergraduate students only	200 points
  Class Discussion Group Graduate students only	200 points
  Research Paper	300 points
  Policy Group Project	300 points
  Final Examination	200 points
  Total	1000 points

  
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  The final grade will be based on the following scale:
  

  Points	Grade
  1000-890 points	A
  889-790 points	B
  789-700 points	C
  699-600 points	D
  599 points-below	F

  
  

  Course Policies
  1. You are expected to attend class.
  2. All assignments must be turned in. Failure to turn in an assigment will result in a grade of F for the course.
  3. No late assignments will be accepted. Due dates are stated in the syllabus.
  4. No handwritten assignments will be accepted.

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  Campus Services
  

  • In making the transition from novice to experienced college student, the Center for Academic Support and Advancement (CASA) an make the critical difference. CASA offers study-skills assistance, free tutoring, supplemental instruction, and free computer-technology courses (STEPs). The center is also the advising unit for students studying English as a Second Language.
  • Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) coordinates IPFW’s programming for people with disabilities, as required by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Persons with qualifying disability conditions per these regulations are eligible for specialized academic support services and other assistance through SSD.
  • For questions about how the University experience will enhance your life and potential career, please contact Academic Counseling and Career Services.
  • For help with writing, please contact the Writing Center. In free one-on-one conferences, knowledgeable writing consultants will talk with you about your writing for any class, wherever you are in the writing process — understanding assignments, brainstorming and planning, revising, and polishing final drafts. Consultants help you focus, organize, develop and analyze your thoughts, revise, and work on issues of editing and style. (Consultants will not edit or proofread for you but will help you learn how to edit and proofread your own papers).
  
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  URL:http://users.ipfw.edu/tankel/syllabi/Spring2005/com563-05.htm
  Revised: 7 January 2005

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