JOURNAL WORK

MEDIA & SOCIETY, Preface, Ch. 1 and 2

1. Pick a particular piece of media content (e.g., Orange and Black, The Weekly Standard, The Hangover 3) and explain how it came into existence given the following five interconnected factors (media determinants) (see Ch. 1 pp. 6-9):

a. technological development
b. economics
c. human creativity
d. social controls
e. audiences

Show how these factors are linked.

2. Consider your own relationship with American media. First, list some of the reasons why you LOVE the media content you view, read, or listen to? Second, consider some ways you can see the media having potentially positive social power. Finally, suggest some ways in which we should be critical or distrustful of certain media content.

Please expect to write about 3/4 page--1 page, single space, 12-point Times Roman.

MAKE SURE YOU ARE COMFORTABLE WITH THE FOLLOWING TERMS:

• the media
• digital divide
• media studies
• subculture
• documentary