About The Class That Started This Project

The "Voices of Turkish Cypriots" Web site you are exploring began in the Spring of 1996 as a project by students and the instructor of COM 214: Multimedia I, in the Department of Communication and Media Studies at Eastern Mediterranean University in Famagusta, in the north of Cyprus.

The materials here explain the course and the potential projects, of which the WEB page for international communication was the selected enterprise.

class photo
Class Photo:
Multimedia I
Spring 1996



Damla, Firat, Durum, Faika, Feral, Ibrahim, Bahar, John. Not shown: Sibel.


COM 214: Multimedia I Spring 1996
Eastern Mediterranean University
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
Department of Communication and Media Studies

Instructor: Dr. John Higgins

Description: Multimedia I explores and evaluates the uses of video, audio, and data systems, with an emphasis on computer-based systems. The focus is on the practical application of theoretic principles. Students are introduced to the problems and potentials of communication technologies, particularly for the purposes of "development," "alternative," and/or international communication.

This class also draws upon the theoretical principles explored in a class on Communication and "Development" in the Spring of 1996.

Possible Multimedia Projects: As part of the practical application of theoretical principles, we will attempt to utilize technology -- particularly computer technology -- within one or more of the following contexts:

These communications might take the form of Web pages, audio programs, videotapes, or other media products. Note that the goal is to use technology for purposes other than just entertainment, but to use media to promote conflict resolution, cultural identity, social change, "development," and a sense of community.

Projects -- Examples:
Here's an example fitting the category of Community Communication above:

You create a short video program about life in your village or a friend's village -- focusing on people. After you have finished the program, we schedule a viewing time and date in the village, and encourage everyone in the community to come and view the program together. Before the viewing, a camera and monitor are set up, allowing people to see themselves on television, and allowing them to learn how to operate the equipment. Other entertainment might also be possible--such as musical acts, or a puppet show. This makes the viewing a social, community-building event, and helps to erase the "magic" usually associated with television.

Here's an example fitting the category of Bicommunal Communication above:

You create the same short video program as described above (focusing on life in your village), only now you plan to share this program with Greek Cypriot students. Or perhaps you create a "video essay," describing what your life is like, where you go to school, where you live and what life is like in your village or city. You might also type up your story, and put it in hypertext format for use on a Web page, including digitized photos or video that are appropriate.

Here's an example fitting the category of International Communication above, within the area of politics, history, and culture:

You ask older members of your community to talk about the pleasurable memories they have of life with their Greek neighbors before the troubles. Or you interview a member of your village about his or her experiences as a Turkish Cypriot before or during the 1974 intervention.
In either case, you then type up this interview, putting it in "hypertext" format -- the format used for Internet Web pages. You prepare a Web page that allows international Internet visitors to read the stories, reaching a better understanding of the personal stories behind the political events on Cyprus.
The stories of Greek neighbors fondly rembered may help revive a "cultural memory" of a time when Greek and Turkish Cypriots lived together in peace. The experiences from 1963 to 1974 might help an international audience appreciate the security concerns of Turkish Cypriots regarding a settlement with Greek Cyprus.
You might also audio tape the interview, and create a radio program with the same interview, and other interviews. You might also shoot still photographs or video of the village, and digitize the pictures for use with the interview.

The point to this class is to explore the new media technologies with the intention of using them for purposes specific to our situation here on North Cyprus in 1996. Our needs, the needs of the TRNC, and the needs of Turkish Cypriots extend far beyond the traditional uses of media for entertainment purposes.

Sources of Information::
Readings have been drawn from the following sources related to multimedia, communication and development:

Berger, Arthur Asa. 1991. Media Research Techniques. London: Sage.

Berrigan, Frances J. "Community Communications in Development." Community Communications: The Role of Communicty Media in Development. Paris: UNESCO, 1981. 7-17.

Carrier, Jim. "Radio a Beacon of Hope for S.D. Indians," The Denver Post 19 Nov 1984.

"Development Communication." International Encyclopedia of Communication. 4 Vols. Ed. Eric Barnouw, et al. NY: Oxford U P, 1989. 9-22. Includes: "1. History and Theories," Pedro FR. Hernandez-Ramos and Wilbur Schramm, 9-12; "2. Alternative Systems," Luis Ramiro Beltr n S., 12-17; "3. Projects," Robert C. Hornik, 17-22.

Dervin, Brenda and Lois Foreeman-Wernet (with E. Lauterbach), eds. 2003. Sense-Making Methodology Reader: Selected Writings of Brenda Dervin. Cresskill, NJ: Hampton Press.

Hedbro, Goran. "New Perspectives on Development--How Can Communication Contribute?" Communication and Social Change in Developing Nations. Ames: Iowa State U P, 1982. 103-117.

Helmore, Kristin. "The Miracle of Third-World Video." Videomaker. Oct/Nov 1986: 19-21+.

Holsinger, Erik. 1994. How MultiMedia Works. Emeryville, Calif.: Ziff-Davis.

Kuttab, Daoud. "Palestinian Diaries: Grass Roots TV Production in the Occupied Territories." Channels of Resistance. Ed. Tony Dowmunt. London: BFI, 1993. 138-145.

"A Latin American Radio Network," Third World 4 (1986): 65-67.

Lemay, Laura. 1995. Teach Yourself Web Publishing with HTML. Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.

Mohammadi, Ali. "Cultural Imperialism and Cultural Identity." Questioning the Media: A Critical Introduction. Ed. John Downing, et al. Newbury Park CA: SAGE, 1990. 267-280.

O'Connor, Alan. "Bolivian Miner's Radio." InteRadio 2.2 (1989): 1+.

Paper Tiger Television Collective. 1991. Roar! The Paper Tiger Television Guide to Media Activism. New York: PTTC.

Peacock, Chris. "Kerala's Quiet Revolution." Utne Reader Nov-Dec 1991: 24.

Rogers, Everett M. and Avind Singhal. "Entertainment-Education Communication Strategies for Development." CommDev News Winter 1990: 1+.

Schiller, Herbert. "Information: America's New Global Empire." Channels Sept-Oct 1982: 30-33.

Stephens, Dean. "Power to the People: Not Just in Developing Countries." Development Communication Report 1 (1989):9-11.


Previous page. "Additional Information."

Sense-Making Methodology  The interview theory and methodology used for the interview protocol.

"From the Memories of Turkish Cypriots"

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