This course will require you to search in refereed academic journals to find recent (no older than 1994) articles about technologies. If you have not done this often, it can be time-consuming, at first. The research librarians in PTAR 1 can help you get started.

The goal will be to draw a connection between the contents of the articles and the course text, so that you can develop a real-world understanding of the uses and effects of communication technologies. The articles may concern any theory (not limited to diffusion of innovations).

Assignments for the course are:

Discussion leader assignment 15%
Research proposal 30%
Mid-semester examination 25%
Final examination 30%

1. Discussion leader assignment

Each student will have one discussion leader assignment. The assignment will include an additional reading, a class presentation and a short paper (3 to 5 pages). The purpose is to find an appropriate research article or chapter that is closely related to the topic given, prepare a short presentation of its major findings, and write a paper in which you demonstrate your understanding of the findings and critique the shortcomings, if any.

In addition, the student will explain the relevant connections to diffusion theory and also propose a similar research project to focus on Malaysia or Southeast Asia (see research proposal, below). For example, if the article concerns a study of the use of hand phones in Japan, then the student should explain how a similar study could be conducted here. Papers are to be typed or word-processed, and are due one week after the presentation.

Students will sign up for responsibility for one of these topics.

1. Technology and Information
2. Technology Use in Journalism
3. Technology and Persuasive Communications
4. Technology Use in the Classroom
5. Technology and the Political Process
6. Technology and Economic Development
7. Technology and Community
8. Technology and Democracy
9. The Digital Divide
10. Technology and Privacy
11. Technology and Culture/Identity
12. Technology and Media Convergence
13. Technology and Human-Computer Interaction

2. Research proposal

Each student will write a brief, feasible research proposal, including a reference list formatted in APA or MLA style. Propose a study closely related to your discussion leader topic. Papers are to be typed or word-processed, and are due one week after the mid-semester test. The length will be 5-7 pages (not including the reference list).

The reference list must include 10 or more relevant articles and/or specific book chapters. Please do not include more than one article from any single issue of a journal, and do not include more than one chapter from any one book. Ideally, the proposed study should be relevant to Malaysia or Southeast Asia today.