New Media in Europe – France, Switzerland and Belgium

Summer 2008 closed

6 weeks (June 16 - July 11, 2008)

Sponsored by the Department of Telecommunication, Information Studies and Media in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences

In cooperation with L’Institut National des Télécommunications – Evry, France

Arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA)

What's this program about?

The revolution in communications and information technology (ICT) has captivated the attention of individuals and institutions around the world. Social networking web sites, user contributed content, massively multiplayer games, and mobile technologies have revolutionized the way we use technology. Policy makers and industry leaders have struggled to harness the power of emerging communications and information technologies in order to compete in an increasingly global and information-dependent marketplace. The Internet, wireless technologies, multimedia, and alternative infrastructures are among the many developments that have challenged existing frameworks. In Europe and other regions of the world, leaders have been forced to take dramatic steps to prepare their countries and their companies for the new environment.

Within the European Union, innovation and investment in new technologies, particularly ICT and new media, is a core principle. The European Commission (EC) is charged with removing and overcoming the roadblocks to ICT and new media development in Europe. These challenges include:

This study abroad program examines the evolving media landscape in Europe. An important theme in the 2008 program is the rapids growth of mobile technologies. We especially focus on the development of innovative mobile applications, mobile games, mobile television, and next generation mobile networks.

Field trips to major institutions provide students with direct exposure to the new telecommunications environment in Europe. In addition to our base in Paris, the 2008 program will visit Geneva and Brussels.

In addition to telecommunication students, the program is open to any students who have some background in new media, game design, or telecommunications. Past programs have included students from such departments as economics, management, information systems, law and other disciplines. We also have had several industry professionals, as well as faculty who have taken the course as continuing education.

Where does it take place?

The Telecommunications in Europe program is hosted by the Institut National des Télécommunications (INT), a grande école located approximately thirty kilometers south of Paris in the suburb of Evry. Lectures are provided by MSU and INT faculty as well as industry and policy experts. The program includes an introduction to European business culture and management, with a focus on the growing application of mobile technology, gaming, and new media. An overview of EU approaches to information and communications technology markets and policy provides the background for understanding the emerging applications of information and communication technologies, and the management issues they raise. Industry leaders in the mobile and IP networking area will meet with the class to help us address the IP and mobile network convergence theme.

Our first field trip outside of France is to Geneva for lectures from the ITU. ITU policy and strategic planning analysts chart the course that the ITU is pursuing to resolve the many intractable problems introduced by changing uses of the Internet, the explosion of gaming, and an increasing emphasis on mobile communication. Next generation wireless services, the governance of the Internet, and telecommunications development in Eastern Europe and the less developed countries of the world are some of the issues that we have discussed here. We stay in Geneva for two nights.

Our second field trip is a day trip to Brussels for a series of lectures at the European Commission. Representatives from Directorates in charge of information technology and competition policy discuss new initiatives designed to promote competitive environments in technology, mobile communications, the electronic media sectors, and in infrastructure provision.

The trip also includes several social and cultural outings. French students serve as tour guides around the monuments, shops, bars, and restaurants of Paris. Last year, other excursions include visits to Normandy and Mt. St. Michele in Brittany, the champagne vineyards of Rheims, and other ventures to see these historic and natural sites of France. We expect the 2008 program to include the same or similar locations.

What can I study?

Undergraduates will be required to enroll in six (6), semester credits from the following courses:

TC 491	Special Topics in Telecommunication	4 cr.
CAS 492	Telecommunication in Europe	2 cr.

Graduate students will be required to enroll in four (4) semester credits in the following courses:

TC 891	Special Topics in Telecommunication	3 cr.
TC 890	Independent Study	1 cr.

What are the requirements?

Courses are designed for upper-division undergraduates with at least one course in ICT technologies and one course in ICT policy (or the equivalent). Students studying new media, information technology, or telecommunication at any college or university, and those seeking continuing professional education, are welcome to apply.

Students must be in good academic standing, with a grade point average of at least 2.00 at the time of application. Meeting this minimum grade point average does not, however, guarantee admission.

Applicants’ participation may be denied or their participation approval may be revoked if their conduct before departure raises doubts as to their suitability for program participation.

Where will I live?

Students will live in on-campus single-occupancy dorm rooms. Each room includes a private bathroom. In addition, a shared kitchen and laundry facility are available.

During the field trip to Geneva, hotel accommodations will be provided.

Who can tell me more about this program?

Assistant Professor Kurt DeMaagd
Department of Telecommunication, Information Studies and Media
427 Communication Arts and Sciences Building
Phone (517) 355-4714
Email: kdemaagd@msu.edu

Professor Charles Steinfield
Department of Telecommunication, Information Studies and Media
436 Communication Arts and Sciences Building
Phone: (517) 432-1331
E-mail: steinfie@msu.edu
Web: http://www.msu.edu/~steinfie

Also be sure to the program’s Web site at http://www.msu.edu/course/tc/891/europe

Do I need a passport or visa?

U.S. and non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport both to enter other countries and to return to the United States. If you already have a passport, make sure it is valid until at least six months after your return date. If you must apply for or renew a passport, APPLY EARLY, since a minimum of twelve weeks are usually required for processing. During peak travel seasons, more processing time is required. Passport forms are available at many federal and state courts, probate courts, some county/municipal offices and some post offices. They can also be downloaded from the Web.

For more information about passports visit the following Web page: http://studyabroad.msu.edu/passports.html

A visa is official permission granted by the authorities of a country where you will study or travel that allows you to enter and remain in that country for a specific purpose. The visa itself is frequently a stamp in your passport, not a separate document. You will need a passport before applying for a visa and the passport plus visa process may take several months, so start early. It is your responsibility to inquire about visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad; this includes countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program.

For more information about visas visit the following Web page: http://studyabroad.msu.edu/visas.html

Are there special health issues?

As part of your acceptance you will complete a Student Health/Emergency Treatment Authorization. It is your responsibility to ensure that your routine immunizations are up-to-date; inquire whether there are recommended and/or required immunizations for the country/countries you will visit (including any countries you will visit that are not part of the study abroad program’s itinerary); and review educational issues relevant to your personal health and safety.

For further health information and recommendations, visit the following Web page: http://studyabroad.msu.edu/health.html

How much does it cost?

The program fee is $2,913 and includes the following:

Amounts not included in the program fee for which participants will need to budget include:

Students may request a cost sheet which estimates these additional expenses not included in the program fee by contacting the Office of Study Abroad at (517) 353-8920.

Approximately two months before the program’s departure date, students will receive an e-bill from the MSU Student Accounts Office for the study abroad program fee. Students will also be e-billed for tuition and fees, based on the number of credits taken, once they have enrolled in courses. (Both amounts may be billed at the same time.)

*Check http://www.ctlr.msu.edu/studrec/ for current tuition, fees and taxes. MSU students pay the same amount they would pay to study at MSU; non-MSU students pay the Lifelong Education rate, regardless of state of residence.

Program fees, dates, and arrangements may be subject to change due to unexpected circumstances.

How can I get help to pay for it?

Financial assistance is available to students who make appropriate arrangements with the Office of Study Abroad (OSA) and MSU’s Office of Financial Aid.

If you are an MSU student and indicate on your application that you plan to use financial aid to pay for your study abroad experience, OSA will forward an estimated cost sheet to the MSU Office of Financial Aid for processing. This form will include all anticipated costs associated with the program, including airfare.

If you are a non-MSU student, please request financial aid from your home university. If your university is unable to award you financial aid, contact the MSU Office of Study Abroad to apply for loans only and you will be provided with instructions on how to proceed.

For further information about financial aid visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/finaid/index.html

Additionally, MSU students applying to any credit-bearing study abroad program are eligible for OSA Scholarships. Some scholarships are based exclusively on academic performance; others are based on a combination of academic performance and financial need. Requirements are listed in the scholarship application. The deadlines to apply for these scholarships are February 1st for spring break programs, March 1st for summer, academic year and fall semester programs, and October 15th for winter break and spring semester programs.

A generous endowment from the MSU Federal Credit Union, as well as additional resources provided through the Forest Akers Endowment, MSU Alumni Association, the Australia-Pacific Council, Eleanor and Charles Greenleaf Sr., Brigitte and Thomas Huff, the Georges Jules Joyaux Memorial Fund, the Kellogg Foundation, Charles and Marjorie Gliozzo, and contributors to the Overseas Study Endowment provide funding for these OSA scholarships.

For even more MSU scholarship opportunities through individual colleges or external scholarship possibilities (including funding for Multicultural students) visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/scholarships/index.html

How do I apply?

You can apply online or download an application form by visiting http://studyabroad.msu.edu/applications/index.html

Applications must be received in the Office of Study Abroad by March 1st for summer programs. We strongly recommend that you apply early as this program may fill to capacity prior to this deadline.

Selection of applicants is done on a rolling admission basis - that is, applications are accepted and students are evaluated and considered for admission throughout the academic year. Please remember that applying early and meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission.

A $100 application fee is required. Students will receive an e-bill for the application fee that is applied to the cost of the program and is non-refundable once a student has accepted admission into the program. Students who have accepted admission may also be billed for a non-refundable and non-transferable $200 deposit, also applied to the cost of the program.

Students who wish to withdraw their application are required to notify the Office of Study Abroad, in writing, that they no longer intend to participate.

Acceptance to all programs is based, minimally, on a faculty review of your transcript and a review of the Judicial Affairs Office records (MSU students) or Dean of Students Reference (non-MSU students).

Details about the admissions process, pre-departure information, what to know while you’re abroad, and information about returning home can be found in the Study Abroad Student Handbook that will be sent to you with your acceptance letter. You can also read the handbook online at http://studyabroad.msu.edu/abcs/index.html.

Program fees, dates, and arrangements may be subject to change due to unexpected circumstances.

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