Introduction to Media Communication

Welcome to Introduction to Media Communication! You'll never see the world the same way again...in a good way! Complete the weekly challenges before Fridays at midnight to ensure full participation.

Week 01

Google's Year in Search 2020

Week 01 Questions

Week 02

More information about Foxconn.

More information about Fordism.

More information about Coltan.

Week 02 Questions

What is your name?

Can you trace your phone back to its origin? Why/Why not?

Choose one of the terms you read about this week. In what way can you see this concept in the video about Foxconn?

Choose another term you read about this week. In what way can you see this concept in the video about Fordism?

Choose another term you read about this week. In what way can you see this concept in the video about Coltan mining in the Congo?

Do you think you should be able to trace your phone to its origin? Why/Why not?

What is your email address?

Week 03

iPhone Commercial

SNL Tech Talk skit

Justice League Action "The Amazing Mister Miracle" excerpt

Week 03 Questions

What is your name?

In what ways does "class" appear in the iPhone commercial? (Be sure to refer to Keywords to elaborate your points).

In the SNL skit, we see two distinct classes confronting one another. In what ways do typical media "productions" usually hide or obscure this relationship? In other words, why isn't it more common for us to see these two groups together?

Choose another term you read about this week. In what way can you see this concept in the video featuring Mister Miracle? Some things to consider, which you should already know from the comics, are that he was born in one world and raised in another, he performs for others and sells his skills, he has certain powers and lacks others...(those are all the hints I'll give you).

What is your email address?

Week 04

Will Ferrell on Twilight

Tayshia and Zac get Engaged!

Honey Boo Boo

Week 04 Questions

What is your name?

How does Will Ferrell demonstrate contemporary audience relationships and/or affect in this Conan interview? (Be sure to refer to Keywords to elaborate your points).

Based on our readings and discussion, why is it significant that we see this "intimate" moment between Tayshia and Zac from the Bachelorette?

Would you agree or disagree with Adorno that "Triviality is evil"?

What are three peer-reviewed content analyses you've located through the library databases so far? (Please write in APA format, which you can learn more about by clicking here)

You can find these example content analyses here...

What is your email address?

Week 05

Week 05 Questions

What is your name?

What is a general question you might start out by asking in your research?

How might you make that question a little more specific?

What is an actual question you might be able to answer well after completing your content analysis?

What study have you found that asks a somewhat similar question that you can use to help guide your work? (Please write in APA format, which you can learn more about by clicking here)

What lesson might the guy in the Cannonball video learn that could also be applied to your Content Analysis Plan?

What is your email address?

Week 06

Week 06 Questions

What is your name?

In this video, children seem to think people should be treated fairly and equitably. If that's generally the case here, why is inequality so rampant in our society?

How might you define hegemony and why is it an important term in Communication Studies?

What media examples have you seen in recent years that demonstrate Othering? Be sure to explain and bonus for linking to good examples online.

How does globalization affect your understanding of the world and in what ways might that understanding be different than your grandparents' generation?

What is your email address?

Week 07

Week 07 Questions

What is your name?

Watching this 1960s interview with Marshall McLuhan, what do you notice as some of the most significant differences between media then and media today?

Watching this 1960s interview with Marshall McLuhan, what do you notice as some of the most significant similarities between media then and media today?

What does McLuhan mean when he says that the world is a global village and do you agree?

McLuhan describes an earlier generation as "Literary Man," because reading and literacy shaped the majority of the culture and focused on rational, linear understandings of the world. What do you think shapes the majority of the culture around you (e.g., video? apps? algorithms?) and what effects might it be having? (hint, if you can't answer this question, that might reveal the answer).

What is your email address?

MORE ABOUT INTRODUCTION TO MEDIA COMMUNICATION

Upon successful completion of this course, you'll be able to:

Define media and elaborate upon their significance
Recognize the major theoretical and methodological approaches to studying media
Place debates about "the media" within larger social and historical contexts
Design and conduct original content analyses
Present informed arguments about the nature of mediated communication today
Reflect on how media affect your daily life.

Readings

There are two texts assigned for this course:

Introduction to Media Communication

Ask Me Anything

Week 01

Week 01 Questions

Week 02

Week 02 Questions

Week 03

Week 03 Questions

Week 04

Week 04 Questions

Week 05

Week 05 Questions

Week 06

Week 06 Questions

Week 07

Week 07 Questions

MORE ABOUT INTRODUCTION TO MEDIA COMMUNICATION

Upon successful completion of this course, you'll be able to:

Readings