Catalan Journal of Communication & Cultural Studies - Volume 1, Issue 1, 2009

This article is a reflection on the identity of communication research, motivated by what we perceive as an important need for consolidating our field of study. It therefore takes the form of a self-inquiry into the nature of communication research. Whereas the field of communication has expanded and consolidated, its identity continues to be problematic. At this moment, communication studies is defined as a field rather than as a science; we would argue, however, that we have enough features to be something more than a field. This is the central argument of this article: communication research is more than a field but less than a science. Why are we more than a field? Why aren't we a real science? What exactly are the meanings of science and field? We will first consider the importance of the identity issue; second, we will list the main features of communication research in order to justify our identity as something other than a field. Finally, we will propose a multidisciplinary theoretical base for performing communication research in our contemporary period.

In this article we present the results of two different studies What Of Us Is In This? (carried out in 2006 at the University of Lleida and supported by the Catalan Audiovisual Council) and Roots&Routes (carried out between 2005 and 2008 at the University of Barcelona). These studies, on the one hand, reach the same conclusions using different methodologies and, on the other, illustrate that the results obtained from engaging in a dialogue with Roma people about their media representation (using qualitative techniques with the intention of giving them a voice) are not any different from the conclusions that have come out of more classical content and discourse analyses about minorities and the media performed to date.

When we asked the Roma about their perceptions and opinions of their representation in the media, we realized that they were quite conscious and critical about media discourses that offer a stereotyped vision of them, constructing a definition of being Roma by using difference and conflict. The Roma who participated in our study described how the media make them invisible and represent them in a distorted way. Thus, we can affirm the validity of a methodology that focuses its attention on giving a voice to the subjects, as this will not only contribute to reinforcing the results of other techniques, but also makes us think about the adequacy of research based exclusively on an analysis of the message (object), without taking into account the groups that are marginalized, and not only by the media, but also by research itself (subjects).

Spain is currently adapting its existing university system to European Higher Education Area guidelines for the 20092010 academic year. Against this background, we analyzed the development and transformation of the audio-visual communication degree currently offered in Catalan universities, consisting of a hybrid of theoretical and practical knowledge applied in the audio-visual field. We describe research results based on the following data: audio-visual curricular content for eight Catalan universities, nine in-depth interviews conducted with heads of audio-visual communication studies and a survey of 111 companies regarding labour market performance of audio-visual communication students on work experience programmes. On the basis of the results of our study we propose a solution to the problem of adapting audio-visual communication degrees to the European Higher Education Area system, based on developing specialisation pathways for different job roles, media platforms and genres. The pathway option equips the degree with professional specificity and enables flexible curricula to be developed in accordance with the capacities of individual universities and the demands of the private sector. The study also highlights the lack of definition in the job roles of audio-visual communication graduates and the difficulties in establishing differential skills for this course of studies.

In this article, we provide a brief introduction to stateless nation-building and public diplomacy based on the case of Catalonia. On the basis of Manuel Castells' idea of informational society and the concepts of soft power of Joseph S. Nye, and noopolitik of John Arquilla and David Ronfeldt, we show the rich contribution of these phenomena in understanding the theory and practice of public diplomacy of non-state actors, such as stateless nations, in order to build their national identity. Furthermore, when we talk about public diplomacy, soft power and noopolitik, we are talking about governance rather than government (diplomacy, hard power and realpolitik). Accordingly, we suggest that a noopolitikal model of public relations can contribute to effective governance for both public and private actors. Through some examples of the current policies in Catalonia, this article advances a public relations approach to governance.

Segundo de Chomn is the Spanish film-maker from the silent era with a wider international dimension. But the study about him needs a permanent reformulation. First of all, due to the shortage of data about the specific moves in his career in the framework of cinema in its early years. Secondly, due to the harmful nature of some clichs told about him (pioneer of Spanish cinema, the Spanish Mlis). This paper offers a starting point for a revision of Chomn's work, from theoretical considerations and particular films, including Le Vie et passion de N.S. Jess Christ, Le fils du diable, Le courant lectrique or Symphonie bizarre.

Catalonia: a cultural history, Michael Eaude (2007) Oxford: Signal Books, 281pp., ISBN 978-1-904955-32-0, Paperback, 12.00

The Basque Country: a cultural history, Paddy Woodworth (2007) Oxford: Signal Books, 290 pp., ISBN 978-1-904955-31-3, Paperback, 12.00

Analysing Identities in Discourse, Rosana Doln and Jlia Todol (eds) (2008) Amsterdam: John Benjamins Publishing Company, 204 pp., ISBN 978 90 272 2719 5N, Hardback, 105,00

Contemporary Spanish Cinema and Genre, Jay Beck and Vicente Rodrguez Ortega (eds) (2008) Manchester: Manchester University Press, 310pp, ISBN 978-0-7190-7775-3, Hardback, 65.14

The Media in Scotland, Neil Blain and David Hutchinson (eds), (2008) Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 286 pp., ISBN 978 0 7486 2800 1, Paperback, 17.99, ISBN 978 0 7486 2799 8, hardback, 52.50

La recerca en comunicaci en el Pas Valenci (Research into communication in Valencia), Gmez Mompart, Josep Llus (ed): special issue of Treballs de Comunicaci, no. 22 (June 2007; first edition June 2008) Barcelona: Societat Catalana de Comunicaci, 314 pp., ISBN 1131-5687, paperback, 7,50 .