Grady at Oxford Class

Hello All,

I'm just writing in response to some class related concerns I've been hearing. I'm sorry we haven't been more upfront with you about what was going on with Dr. Reber's health, but I'm sure you will appreciate that we had to respect his privacy and wait for the doctors to give us some definitive answers. I can now confirm a few things: 1) Dr. Reber is being treated at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford and is doing much better, but he won't be able to resume teaching your class just yet. 2) You will all absolutely receive credit for this course - we are making arrangements with the Grady college to have the teaching covered by other faculty members, including Dr. Barry Hollander who taught on this programme two years ago. 3) You will have class on Monday and we will begin with a viewing of the Frontline documentary that is on your syllabus.

I would like to get all Grady class-members together for a brief meeting at 7.00 p.m. tomorrow (Sunday night) after the barbeque supper to go over some logistics and give you some more information.

In the meantime if any of you has any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to get in touch with me or Jamie McClung via e-mail or mobile phone. We will do our best to answer your questions within the parameters stated above.

Once again, apologies for the uncertainty of the last few days, but there really wasn't too much information that we could have divulged immediately.

Exploring Media in England

Studying media and media effects in England provides us some uncommon learning opportunities.

The British Grand Prix www.silverstone.co.uk/php/rm_overview.html -- one of the longest-standing races on the Formula 1 circuit -- is being held the weekend after we arrive (July 4-6). We will be hosted by the media staff for the British Grand Prix on a tour of the International Media Centre on Wednesday, July 2 as preparations are being finalized for hosting journalists from around the world.

As you make final preparations for your trip, take some time to explore a little about Formula 1 racing and the British Grand Prix. We are exceedingly fortunate to be provided the opportunity to visit the International Media Centre. One member of the UGA at Oxford on-site staff said, "This is an opportunity many people would die for."

Continuing the Countdown

Because I taught a graduate PR management class during Maymester, I am only now able to really turn my attention to our course. I'm getting excited about what we're going to be studying, and I hope you will be, too.

Social effects of mass media surround us. We see these effects on a daily basis, perhaps most recently with the political effects of mass demonstrations and their news coverage in Seoul, South Korea. Koreans are filling the streets with candles lit. They are protesting the import of U.S. beef (among other things). The effect of the demonstrations and their coverage has been that South Korean cabinet ministers have offered to resign their posts. A pretty dramatic social effect! As you prepare for your time at Oxford, please pay attention to how you see mass media having an impact on society. Your examples will provide great discussion fodder.

Well, I better get back to reading and preparation. June 28 is approaching fast!

Welcome to the Grady at Oxford Blog

As I was thinking about best ways to communicate as we lead up to class and during our summer together in Oxford, I decided a weblog would be just the thing. Each of you will be able to view, read, and post material. Also, if you'd like family or friends to be able to read the blog, you can provide me with their e-mail addresses and I'll invite them as read-only members of our blog community. The blog should do several things for us.

1. We can communicate about class issues. For example, here I can give you information about where our textbook is available. The book for our seminar is titled "Fundamentals of Media Effects" and was written in 2001 by Jennings Bryant and Susan Thompson. It will be available at Blackwell's Bookshop in Oxford (http://bookshop.blackwell.co.uk/jsp/bobuk_editorial/services/shops/SHOP52.jsp). Shortly after your arrival in Oxford, you can wander over to Blackwell's to pick up your book.

2. We can discuss ideas that are raised in class and through our excursions (more about those later).

3. We can offer each other tips about good shopping, restaurants, pubs, walks, entertainment, short trips and more. We can also use this cite to share observations about our living in Oxford and traveling in England and perhaps beyond.

4. We can post pictures and video to show a bit about where we are and what we're learning.

I hope by now you agree that a Grady at Oxford blog will serve many purposes.

I'm looking forward to our time together -- only 24 days until we leave!