STUDY GUIDE
Disclosure: All material in chapters 3, 4, 5 and 6 (and lecture) is fair game.
How to use this guide: for terms listed below (e.g., "Wikis"), it would be good to know the general definition and maybe an example or two. For other topics to study, I may have a longer question ("Benefits and problems of newspaper chains?")
Material from the test may include, but is not limited to the following…
• Names associated with the invention of Film, TV, Radio, Photography, Penny Press, and the World Wide Web
• What is a bit?
• Analog media examples
• Table 3-1 on p.71
• Wikis
• Digital Divide
• History of the Internet
• Books in the digital age
• HTTP
• Technological determinism
• WWW inventor, year
• First web browser
• Open source
• Gutenberg's printing press
• John Peter Zenger
• Payola
• Current challenges of magazines
• First sound film?
• What is muckraking?
• Advantages of digital information over analog?
• Benefits and problems of newspaper chains?
•Three major trends of the book industry
•Radio before, during, and after WWI
• Digital TV
• Matthew Brady
• Vint Cerf
Essay question topics (you will get a couple options and pick one)
• The Penny Press
• Digital Music, piracy and the effects
• Telecommunications Act of 1996
• History and description of the Hollywood Star System
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
Citizen Kane Extra Credit
First step: watch the movie Citizen Kane (the DMACC library has a copy)....
Then, write up why the movie is considered one of the best films ever made according to the experts (and if you agree). (you can easily do a Google search for Citizen Kane reviews)
Be sure to back your points up with examples from the movie. Don't just say, "it is considered the best because of the cinematography." Give me examples from the film that show why the cinematography was so great.
You might want to watch it with the commentary by Roger Ebert (but be sure to cite it if you reference it).
Remember to cite your sources ( "According Cinematography Today magazine, etc etc," ). You can cite a website but it must be credible. Books, magazine, film history texts, printed sources will be best. No Wikipedia!!
You can earn up to 20 points. 800-900 words. Due November 30th.
Then, write up why the movie is considered one of the best films ever made according to the experts (and if you agree). (you can easily do a Google search for Citizen Kane reviews)
Be sure to back your points up with examples from the movie. Don't just say, "it is considered the best because of the cinematography." Give me examples from the film that show why the cinematography was so great.
You might want to watch it with the commentary by Roger Ebert (but be sure to cite it if you reference it).
Remember to cite your sources ( "According Cinematography Today magazine, etc etc," ). You can cite a website but it must be credible. Books, magazine, film history texts, printed sources will be best. No Wikipedia!!
You can earn up to 20 points. 800-900 words. Due November 30th.
Reaction Paper #5
This one involves playing a video game. Here is the page:
http://hcsoftware.sourceforge.net/passage/
Go to the "downloads" and you can get it for Mac or Windows.
AFTER you play the game (it takes 5 minutes or so), write a response and reaction of what you think the game means (or what it means to you). (Think about the title, too)
Ok, now wait until you've written your interpretation. Now move on..
Read this statement by the maker:
http://hcsoftware.sourceforge.net/passage/statement.html
...how does this compare to what you thought the game was about? Was there an emotional response for you? If so, how can something so simple draw an emotional reaction? Do video games have as much potential for an emotional story as movies? If movies are considered art, what about video games?
Due by midnight on 9/30! If you get it done before class on 9/30 we can chat a little about it.
http://hcsoftware.sourceforge.net/passage/
Go to the "downloads" and you can get it for Mac or Windows.
AFTER you play the game (it takes 5 minutes or so), write a response and reaction of what you think the game means (or what it means to you). (Think about the title, too)
Ok, now wait until you've written your interpretation. Now move on..
Read this statement by the maker:
http://hcsoftware.sourceforge.net/passage/statement.html
...how does this compare to what you thought the game was about? Was there an emotional response for you? If so, how can something so simple draw an emotional reaction? Do video games have as much potential for an emotional story as movies? If movies are considered art, what about video games?
Due by midnight on 9/30! If you get it done before class on 9/30 we can chat a little about it.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Research Paper Info
Hey folks,
Here is some information about your research paper due Tuesday, November 30th.
Shoot for about 1200 words (5 pages double-spaced)
Pick a topic in the mass media that you are interested in.
It could be relating to a TV show, band, album, website, radio show, movie, video game, etc. It could also be a media law or a subject like photojournalism ethics (more examples down below).
Give me a history of your subject. Tell me why it matters. Put it in some historical context -- what came before it, what it compares to now, and what might came after it (or might come after it in in the future). Tell me something I don't know.
For example, you might pick to write about the show 24.
You might start off with a short history of the show and how it came to be. Tell me how many people watch it each week. Why is it so popular? What do critics say about it?
Then you could focus on what the show is known for: its portrayal of torture. How is it portrayed? As something good or bad? Has the way 24 shown torture influenced America's perception of torture? Not just what you think, but use evidence from any studies you can find.
You might finish by talking about how the show ended and its legacy.
There you have it. Try not to put any opinion in, and let research do the talking. Stay away from first person. No "I think..." or "My favorite episode.."
Remember, no Wikipedia! You can use it as a starting point and use the sources listed, but not Wikipedia itself.
Finally, remember to cite all the sources you use. You can cite your sources in your papers at the end, but also throughout, like this:
The New York Times states that "24" has 21 million viewers.
or
"24" has 21 million viewers (NY Times, 2005).
Use an APA or MLA style works cited page at the end. If it's not properly formatted, automatic 5 points off, if it's missing altogether, 10 points off (or I might ask you to write one and give it to me if I can't figure out what your sources are). Use this:
http://www.liu.edu/cwis/cwp/library/workshop/citapa.htm
Don't be afraid to venture to the library.
Let me know if you have any questions or if I can help brainstorm ideas for your subject.
It is due Tuesday, November 30. It is worth 50 points (as much as a test). 5 points off for every day late.
More possible topics:
Has "24" affected our views on torture?
How has the mass media changed after 9/11?
Subliminal advertising
Video game addiction
Video game cultures
Rap (or heavy metal or whatever) and its place in our culture
The many methods of advertising in MTV (music videos, commercials, product placement)
YouTube.. will it ever be profitable?
How the Internet has affected the music industry
Pirating music/software online
Colbert Report vs O'Reilly Factor
Can bands bypass record companies and be successful?
Influence of particular film director (or music producer)
Telecommunications Act of 1996
The FCC's influence on radio or broadcast
Philo Farnsworth .. inventor of the TV
How has the media covered the Iraq war?
How the media has changed the way it has covered war (you could compare Vietnam and Iraq)
Propaganda (especially the Nazi's Triumph of the Will)
Advertising and the Internet
History of the Internet
KDKA - the first radio station
Orson Welles
Is there a liberal bias in the media?
Compare MSNBC or CNN to Fox News
Future of home video (Blu-Ray... why is it slow to take off)
How media in another country compares to the U.S.
Apple vs. Microsoft
Analyze a particular advertising campaign
Ethics - photojournalism, news, advertising, etc.
Censorship of the Internet in China
History and affect of YouTube
Blogging... can you make money doing it?
The Daily Show affect
"The Mickey Mouse" copyright extension act of 1998
Cyber-bullying
Here is some information about your research paper due Tuesday, November 30th.
Shoot for about 1200 words (5 pages double-spaced)
Pick a topic in the mass media that you are interested in.
It could be relating to a TV show, band, album, website, radio show, movie, video game, etc. It could also be a media law or a subject like photojournalism ethics (more examples down below).
Give me a history of your subject. Tell me why it matters. Put it in some historical context -- what came before it, what it compares to now, and what might came after it (or might come after it in in the future). Tell me something I don't know.
For example, you might pick to write about the show 24.
You might start off with a short history of the show and how it came to be. Tell me how many people watch it each week. Why is it so popular? What do critics say about it?
Then you could focus on what the show is known for: its portrayal of torture. How is it portrayed? As something good or bad? Has the way 24 shown torture influenced America's perception of torture? Not just what you think, but use evidence from any studies you can find.
You might finish by talking about how the show ended and its legacy.
There you have it. Try not to put any opinion in, and let research do the talking. Stay away from first person. No "I think..." or "My favorite episode.."
Remember, no Wikipedia! You can use it as a starting point and use the sources listed, but not Wikipedia itself.
Finally, remember to cite all the sources you use. You can cite your sources in your papers at the end, but also throughout, like this:
The New York Times states that "24" has 21 million viewers.
or
"24" has 21 million viewers (NY Times, 2005).
Use an APA or MLA style works cited page at the end. If it's not properly formatted, automatic 5 points off, if it's missing altogether, 10 points off (or I might ask you to write one and give it to me if I can't figure out what your sources are). Use this:
http://www.liu.edu/cwis/cwp/library/workshop/citapa.htm
Don't be afraid to venture to the library.
Let me know if you have any questions or if I can help brainstorm ideas for your subject.
It is due Tuesday, November 30. It is worth 50 points (as much as a test). 5 points off for every day late.
More possible topics:
Has "24" affected our views on torture?
How has the mass media changed after 9/11?
Subliminal advertising
Video game addiction
Video game cultures
Rap (or heavy metal or whatever) and its place in our culture
The many methods of advertising in MTV (music videos, commercials, product placement)
YouTube.. will it ever be profitable?
How the Internet has affected the music industry
Pirating music/software online
Colbert Report vs O'Reilly Factor
Can bands bypass record companies and be successful?
Influence of particular film director (or music producer)
Telecommunications Act of 1996
The FCC's influence on radio or broadcast
Philo Farnsworth .. inventor of the TV
How has the media covered the Iraq war?
How the media has changed the way it has covered war (you could compare Vietnam and Iraq)
Propaganda (especially the Nazi's Triumph of the Will)
Advertising and the Internet
History of the Internet
KDKA - the first radio station
Orson Welles
Is there a liberal bias in the media?
Compare MSNBC or CNN to Fox News
Future of home video (Blu-Ray... why is it slow to take off)
How media in another country compares to the U.S.
Apple vs. Microsoft
Analyze a particular advertising campaign
Ethics - photojournalism, news, advertising, etc.
Censorship of the Internet in China
History and affect of YouTube
Blogging... can you make money doing it?
The Daily Show affect
"The Mickey Mouse" copyright extension act of 1998
Cyber-bullying
Friday, September 17, 2010
Reaction Paper #4
Here is the article:
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2010/04/26/100426fa_fact_auletta
1. In as much detail as you can with info from the article, how are Apple, Amazon and Google changing the book industry?
2. What challenges may lie ahead for books/ebooks/iBooks in the digital world?
This one is due by the end of the day Thursday (midnight) 9/23.
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2010/04/26/100426fa_fact_auletta
1. In as much detail as you can with info from the article, how are Apple, Amazon and Google changing the book industry?
2. What challenges may lie ahead for books/ebooks/iBooks in the digital world?
This one is due by the end of the day Thursday (midnight) 9/23.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Reaction Paper #3 due 9/16 (midnight)
1. Pick a show that you'd expect would have product placement (aka not a nature show!).
2. Take out a piece of paper and make two columns. One for regular commercials and one for product placement.
3. Keep careful track of each product mention or visual within the show. Sometimes the mentions are pretty subtle. Keep your eye out for any brands. Keep track of each commercial during the break.
4. List some of the product placement examples you witnessed in your paper and how they worked the product in.
5. Analyze the findings. How much product placement was there? Did the products overlap with any of the regular commercials? Was the product placement seamless or awkward? Did the target audience for the products seem to make sense for the typical audience who might be watching the show?
6. What are your thoughts on product placement? Are you ok with it? Why would some people not be ok with it? Does it bug you that shows have to integrate the products into their shows? Would it be better if it were kept out of shows? Do you think it works?
2. Take out a piece of paper and make two columns. One for regular commercials and one for product placement.
3. Keep careful track of each product mention or visual within the show. Sometimes the mentions are pretty subtle. Keep your eye out for any brands. Keep track of each commercial during the break.
4. List some of the product placement examples you witnessed in your paper and how they worked the product in.
5. Analyze the findings. How much product placement was there? Did the products overlap with any of the regular commercials? Was the product placement seamless or awkward? Did the target audience for the products seem to make sense for the typical audience who might be watching the show?
6. What are your thoughts on product placement? Are you ok with it? Why would some people not be ok with it? Does it bug you that shows have to integrate the products into their shows? Would it be better if it were kept out of shows? Do you think it works?
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Test #1
....due via email by the end of the day (midnight), Friday Sept. 10. Might be a good idea to get a jump start on it this weekend if you have time.
Remember, pick 2 of the 4 questions to answer...
Intro to Mass Media
Test I (Take-home)
Rules:
1. Your main source for this test is the book, but you are free to use outside sources or our lecture. Please cite any outside sources at the end of the paper (you can choose the citation style: MLA, APA, etc.)
2. You can use fellow classmates.
3. The test must be written 100% by yourself. That means you can talk about the answers with a classmate, but when you sit down to write it has to be all yours. If it is too similar to another classmate's, I either won't take them or make both students redo it with new questions, depending on how similar they are.
Pick TWO questions to answer.
You should write about 2-3 double spaced pages for each answer.
1. (Chapter 1) Please discuss the functions of the mass media how how these functions are changing in the digital age.
2. (Chapter 1) Please define convergence and discuss some of the positive and negative aspects of the phenomenon.
3. (Chapter 1 & 2) What does it mean to be "media literate," and why is it important? What are some key areas of understanding one should have to be considered media literate?
4. (Chapter 2) You are the editor of the campus newspaper. One of your reporters has just written a series of articles describing apparent health-code violations in a popular off-campus restaurant. This particular restaurant regularly buys full-page ads in your paper. After you run the first story in the series, the restaurant owner calls and threatens to cancel all her ads unless you stop printing the series. The ads are a significant part of your paper's budget.
What is the ethical dilemma here? Use the ethical principals on pp. 53-55 to analyze the situation and pick the best course of action.
Remember, pick 2 of the 4 questions to answer...
Intro to Mass Media
Test I (Take-home)
Rules:
1. Your main source for this test is the book, but you are free to use outside sources or our lecture. Please cite any outside sources at the end of the paper (you can choose the citation style: MLA, APA, etc.)
2. You can use fellow classmates.
3. The test must be written 100% by yourself. That means you can talk about the answers with a classmate, but when you sit down to write it has to be all yours. If it is too similar to another classmate's, I either won't take them or make both students redo it with new questions, depending on how similar they are.
Pick TWO questions to answer.
You should write about 2-3 double spaced pages for each answer.
1. (Chapter 1) Please discuss the functions of the mass media how how these functions are changing in the digital age.
2. (Chapter 1) Please define convergence and discuss some of the positive and negative aspects of the phenomenon.
3. (Chapter 1 & 2) What does it mean to be "media literate," and why is it important? What are some key areas of understanding one should have to be considered media literate?
4. (Chapter 2) You are the editor of the campus newspaper. One of your reporters has just written a series of articles describing apparent health-code violations in a popular off-campus restaurant. This particular restaurant regularly buys full-page ads in your paper. After you run the first story in the series, the restaurant owner calls and threatens to cancel all her ads unless you stop printing the series. The ads are a significant part of your paper's budget.
What is the ethical dilemma here? Use the ethical principals on pp. 53-55 to analyze the situation and pick the best course of action.
Reaction Paper #2 due 9-10
Here is the article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/20/education/20wired.html
If you can't get to it from there, try this link:
http://news.google.com/news/search?aq=f&pz=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=if+your+kids+are+awake
And click the first story.
Now, I'd like you to argue both sides of this issue: For half a page, talk about why it is a BAD thing that kids are online all the time. What are the dysfunctions here? For the second half, take the other side. Why is it a GOOD thing that kids are always online? How does it make them a better person, smarter, etc.? Remember to quote the article.
One tip... read the article. Then read the questions again. Let it soak in for a day or two. Then sit down to write. You'll find you'll have more to say than if you try to write it right after reading. Your brain will work on it even if you don't realize it. (It does work!)
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/20/education/20wired.html
If you can't get to it from there, try this link:
http://news.google.com/news/search?aq=f&pz=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=if+your+kids+are+awake
And click the first story.
Now, I'd like you to argue both sides of this issue: For half a page, talk about why it is a BAD thing that kids are online all the time. What are the dysfunctions here? For the second half, take the other side. Why is it a GOOD thing that kids are always online? How does it make them a better person, smarter, etc.? Remember to quote the article.
One tip... read the article. Then read the questions again. Let it soak in for a day or two. Then sit down to write. You'll find you'll have more to say than if you try to write it right after reading. Your brain will work on it even if you don't realize it. (It does work!)
Today...
From today:
If you want to read a book from the library (about the media) and do a 1-page (single spaced) report/summary/response/critique, you can get up to 10 points extra credit.
I'll be sending out the first test (take-home) soon.
If you want to read a book from the library (about the media) and do a 1-page (single spaced) report/summary/response/critique, you can get up to 10 points extra credit.
I'll be sending out the first test (take-home) soon.
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