Those interested in communication might do a comparison of national news reporting styles or TV presentation techniques. A course in international media studies might be developed that integrates satellite TV with other media e.g., newspapers to accompany the major breaking stories of the day. Fashion, set design, etc., all can be monitored with some planning and imagination Music is frequently featured on the news between news broadcasts. Students and faculty can also monitor reviews of major concerts or collect segments of national folk music as they appear. Geography and Social Science Sociologists and social workers can follow crime reports, accounts of trials, discussions of major social problems such as alcoholism, unemployment, domestic violence, gun control, etc.
Weather reports allow for discussion of local conditions, economic and physical geography, etc.
For example, it is interesting to follow the data on earthquakes presented daily on the news from Japan. In general, there is always comprehensive coverage of local events accompanied by graphics and statistics that are invaluable in the classroom. There are frequently interviews with national figures rarely seen on US television, or containing detail that is missing from US reports. A very useful exercise is to have students contrast international accounts of the same event. There are frequently profiles of leaders.