Majka's Media Literarcy Class

Legislating Swearing

2009-05-01T05:31:00.000-07:00

Traditionally the public airwaves have been subject to federal oversight through the Federal Communications Commision (FCC). For most of TV history public airwaves were the only or dominant source of programming. Today the landscape has changed considerably and most programming is delivered through cable, internet and satellite. A court battle is looming to decide if the FCC still makes sense in a digital world.

Read the following article: http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/04/28/supreme.court.indecent.speech/index.html

Then write your comment about the followig issues:

•Should the Federal Govt have authority over programming?
•Should their be rules about 'indecent' language and content?
•How does 'Freedom of Speech' apply to TV programming?

In Class Assignment - Watch! [TWO BLOGS BELOW THIS ONE!!!!]

2009-04-15T18:13:00.000-07:00

I will collect your one page list of observations from the documentary on the Wednesday following the break!

Domestic Violence [Due by Wednesday, April 29th]

2009-04-14T09:58:00.001-07:00

Watch the following video below:

Here's your question:
Is this too violent even though it is violence of this nature the foundation is trying to prevent? Respond thoughtfully and remember that your comments will not be visible on the blog.

Dating in the Texting/Facebook Age [Due by Wednesday, April 29th]

2009-04-14T09:22:00.000-07:00

Mr. Leaf has supplied the following narrative and subsequent questions [my comments are bracketed]:

When I was your age (I know I know, I can hear your groans) showing romantic interest in someone was a scary act. You actually had to walk up to someone and tell them you liked them and wanted to take them out on a date or to the prom or wherever. And then, with your soul laid bare to the world, wait for a response. It was horrifying to have to personally witness your own destruction as you were turned down.

Today there is enough technology available as a means of communication that you could altogether avoid the discomfort of the personal conversation. Before you take any risks in person you can test the waters via text or email. Sure beats the old 'passing a note--do you like me?--strategy [or having a mutual friend do the asking for you].

So my question to you is:

How are dating and romantic interactions affected by texting, email, and other 'remote' forms of communication? Is it easier or harder to 'make a move?' To reject someone else's move? Are 'R-rated' topics easier to bring up? Speak from any combination of your experience, experience of peers, news, and just what you logically think would happen.

P.S. I have chosen to moderate all comments for now: You will not be able to read others comments or your own after posting. They will go directly to my email and not show on the blog.

Media Consolidation and Freedom of Press [Due Thursday, April 2nd]

2009-03-30T15:35:00.000-07:00

Click on this hyperlink. Once there, you will find 3 articles; Read each article before answering the following questions. This is due by Thursday's class (since I forgot to post it sooner).

1. Why did the framers of the Constitution place such a high value on Freedom of the Press?

2. What is meant by the term "Media Consolidation?"

3. What are some of the perceived dangers of media consolidation?

4. What are some of the perceived benefits of media consolidation?

In Class - In Case You Missed It!

2009-03-25T10:18:00.000-07:00

Read the two children's books and compare them, taking note of specific contruction, language, purpose, values, biases, meanings and how it influence the audience (in other words, think 6 core principles!).

First, read The Lorax, by Dr. Suess. It would be best to unearth the copy your parents read to you as a child. If that's not possible, read the version on the link provided here: The Lorax

Next, read Truax, by Terri Berkett from the link provided here: Truax

Embedded Values [Due by March 31]

2009-03-25T05:51:00.000-07:00

While watching any TV show or broadcast do the following 2 things:

1. Identify who is likely to be watching this show based upon content, commercials, time of broadcast, etc

2. Identify one embedded value derived from any aspect of the broadcast or the commercials that accompany it.

For example, as I watched The Biggest Loser (yeah, can't help it - I get sucked in) last night, the commercials were targeted to the 20-something to 40-something crowd of physically and environmentally conscious people. There were built-in plugs for Britta and Cheerios, to name only two, and actual commercials such as Britta and The Biggest Loser exercise videos, to name the only two I actually remember. The overarching value was: Be responsible to yourself and your environment!

School House Rockin' - NOT AN ASSIGNMENT!

2009-03-20T09:34:00.003-07:00

Oh, how ironic! This was on the Rachel Maddow show the same night after we spent the entire class discussing Mr. Bill-Who-Will-Become-Law.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Is the newspaper an endangered species? [Due before Mar 23]

2009-03-17T06:43:00.000-07:00

New York Times mortgages building to pay bills!
Rocky Mountain News closes!
San Francisco Chronicle bankrupt!
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle cuts staff

All around the country newspapers are struggling. Subscriptions are down, classified ads are down, advertising is down. Fewer people are reading, fewer dollars are coming in, but costs keep rising. Your generation will be the one to determine the future of the industry. So you can tell the newspaper people what they need to know to help the industry survive.

Imagine you are speaking to members of the news media industry. They want to hear your ideas on:
• Where you get your news
• What news you are interested in
• If you read traditional papers
• What news you are willing to pay for and how much you are willing to pay
• If you discriminate between news sources based on professionalism and credibility
• Any ideas you have on how to save and fund the news industry
• Why don't you read the newspaper

Assignment: Newspaper folks are busy trying to save their jobs, so they don't have much time. You have 100 words or less to advise them on any of the bullets above. Be precise in your words, insightful in your advice , and specific in your suggestions.

What are Nielson Ratings Anyway? [Due by Sunday, March 15]

2009-03-09T07:20:00.000-07:00

Your task this week:

search the website linked below
learn as much about Nielson ratings as you can
give a brief summary in your own words
give your opinion on its impact - is this the best way to place value on television shows?
finally, what does this rating system mean for advertising? Explain.

http://www.nielsenmedia.com/nc/portal/site/Public/menuitem.3437240b94cacebc3a81e810d8a062a0/?vgnextoid=130547f8b5264010VgnVCM100000880a260aRCRD

Too Sexy, Too Soon? [Due before Monday, March 2]

2009-02-26T18:28:00.000-08:00

Read this article from Time (click hyperlink or the website link below) magazine and view the pictures above from Vanity Fair (the orignal article with other photos hyperlinked here and at the bottom).

Using your reading, viewing, and your own experience offer your commentary on the the state of teen girls sexuality and our society. Be insightful and original.

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1840556-1,00.html

http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2008/06/miley200806

1950s Cool [Due before Monday, February 23]

2009-02-10T09:11:00.000-08:00

What values are represented in this photo?
How are they represented?

HOMEWORK:

Are the values represented in this photo still valued today?

Why or why not?

You must leave one original, substantive comment AND respond to another's comment.

Understanding Decisions [Due Friday, February 27]

2009-02-09T09:26:00.000-08:00

Watch one 30 minute show.
Name the show you watched.
Chart the commercials that are aired during that show.
Keep a list of every commercial and what it is advertising.
Draw conclusions about the target audience and explain why you believe as you do. What do you notice about what is valued in these ads?

The Lorax vs. Truax

2008-10-08T08:13:00.000-07:00

After having read Truax in class, read the following articles:

"The Lorax and the Truax — Hey, Can We Talk?" by Donella Meadows

and

"Enter, Truax; Exit, Dr. Seuss"

Then respond to these two interpretations using your Key Questions document to analyze the messages. Your comment must include insight that specifically mentions some aspect of the concepts, key questions, and/or ideas discussed in class so far.

Negative campaigning? Great! - Decoding exercise

2008-09-22T06:31:00.000-07:00

Watch the following SNL skit and respond. Are there any truths to be found in this video?

The Truth About Teens

2008-09-15T05:00:00.000-07:00

Read this article from Time Magazine called "The Truth About Teens" (click on Miley or the link below):

ttp://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1840556-1,00.html

When you are finished, write two original, substantive responses about the article. Incidentally, the photo of Miley Cyrus mentioned in the article is the one posted here.

Decoding

2008-09-14T17:09:00.000-07:00

After viewing this commercial, list at least two explicit messages and two implicit messages within the context of the commercial.