The proper functioning of media networks

 

Protocols and standards are crucial to the proper functioning of media networks. Choose one of these media networks (e.g. the Internet, the telephone network, the rail network, satellite communication, global container shipping, etc.) and examine the historical development of its protocols and standards. How has this process unfolded? Who are the central players? What sort of politics have been involved? Whose interests have shaped the development of this network? What are some of the social, political, cultural or environmental implications of the way your chosen network has been organized?

LaLaLand Clip Reflection

WATCH this clip from the movie “LaLaLand”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gW0xteHHXrY
Identify concepts we have discussed so far:
Such as…encoding, decoding, noise, feedback, context, verbal/nonverbal, content/relational messages, punctuation, inevitability, symmetrical/complementary interactions…
Write up a 2-page response that analyzes the La La Land clip using these concepts. Show us that you understand these concepts by identifying them in this clip. Try to avoid simply summarizing the clip – instead, focus on analyzing it using the concepts we have learned in the class. Be specific!

News-gathering are beyond the control

 

Please reply to this post with your response to the following questions:
A) What variables about news-gathering are beyond the control of reporters and editors but nonetheless affect what people read, hear and see?
B) How are journalists captives of the personal values and biases they bring to their work? Provide an example of this through a video clip or story?
C) After reading “Encyclopedia of Emerging Industries – Blogging,” provide a “large scale” example of when blogging became problematic and one when blogging actually helped solve a problem.

 

 

The news biased or unbiased

 

 

 

 

Many experts see the media as biased and more like infotainment. In fact, many people have turned to social networks as an outlet for news instead of CBS, NBC, FOX, CNN and other news stations. Do you see this as an issue? Do you see the news as biased or unbiased? Should there be more restrictions on the news stations?

In addition to answering the discussion post question, consider the following for discussion:

How significant of a role does social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, etc) play in shaping your political socialization? Is it more or less influential than traditional media (Cable news, broadcast television, radio, etc)? How big of a responsibility do social media companies have to ensure dialogue and debate is open and free from bias or censorship of ideas

 

 

 

The effect politically biased news

 

 

 

 

 

Many political observers are concerned about the effect politically biased news sources have on the electorate. Describe five different ways in which a media source could be biased. To what extent are biased news sources different from the traditional media and its news norms? Do you think that biased political news impacts cynicism, trust in government, and/or political efficacy? (If so, how? If not, why not?)

 

 

Media Ethic

Listen to and write reflections on three podcasts on whiteness:
1. Seeing White, season 2 ep 1 https://www.sceneonradio.org/episode-31-turning-the-lens-seeing-white-part-1/ (17 mins)
Hosts John Biewen and Chenjerai Kumanyika say they will be focusing on whiteness, but what do they not want the series to cover? What did you think of this, and were you surprised by what they said? Did it make you more or less interested in listening to the series, and why?
AND
2. Seeing White, season 2 ep 2: https://www.sceneonradio.org/episode-32-how-race-was-made-seeing-white-part-2/ (29 mins)
What does Kendi describe as the beginnings of racist ideas which gave shape to ideas of whiteness? And what do you think of how Kumanyika describes the ways white society has thought about the relationship between ignorance and exploitation?
AND
3. Seeing White, season 2 ep 3: https://www.sceneonradio.org/episode-33-made-in-america-seeing-white-part-3/ (34 mins)
What’s the significance of the stories of John Punch and Elizabeth Key? Why do Plihchik, Kendi, and Painter argue that these and other early American stories are related to the definition and identity of whiteness and who “counts” as a citizen? What do you think about what Kumanyika says about how the Virginia Slave Act intensifies racial division?

 

 

 

 

Media, social media, and other forms of pop culture

Throughout the quarter you will be tasked with exploring current events, media, social media, and other forms of pop culture to analyze and document in your pop culture journal (you will be posting your journal entry to your peer discussion group on Canvas each week it is due, but it may be helpful to keep this is a running document in your own files to add to each week, then copy and paste from your journal onto Canvas). This will give you an opportunity to make connections between what we are learning about in class related to rhetorical/critical frameworks of inquiry and what you are seeing in the world around you, as well as empowering you to explore topics that particularly interest you. Each week that you are assigned a public life journal entry (see course schedule), you should:

(1) describe the context of your example (important parts like what this means relative to the historical context and social world, who, what, when, where, why, how etc.)-you may post a picture or a link if that would be helpful
(2) clearly connect it to a particular concept, idea, term, theory, method, etc. we are learning about that week (your book can be a helpful guide here)-be sure to label the concept clearly, describe it, and apply it to your chosen example and

Expert session with AJ Wilcox

 

Watch this chapter’s expert session with AJ Wilcox. Link is provided here for your convenience, too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=0A2UFckRhM4&feature=emb_logo
Then, write a 2 page, double spaced (1 inch margins) paper to answer the following questions. Must be at least 275 words for full credit.
Explain the general gist of the session. What are the major takeaways?
1-2 ideas, concepts, or theories that you found interesting or that made your say “Aha!”
1-2 ideas, concepts, or theories that you found confusing, difficult to wrap your head around, or want to know more about

 

Society and the Media

Explain how you expect this course will help you move forward in your personal or professional life.
Is everything we know about beauty programmed by the media?
Build on a classmate’s post by asking questions, offering thoughtful ideas, or sharing personal connections. Be sure to demonstrate respect for classmate’s comments.