Media Analysis #2

DUE February 15, 2025 (11:59pm, EST)
10% | 100 Points  

Directions

This assignment is designed to help you develop your skills in evaluating mass media content by analyzing a different types of media messages. Choose one of the below topics, and respond to it with as much depth of thought as possible.  Be sure to demonstrate that you have been studying the appropriate lesson(s), lessons applicable to the topic. Be sure to cite (quotes and/or phrases) the work that you are analyzing.  Be sure to provide complete source information. The format of your response may be any one of the following:

  1. a 1000-1500 word essay
  2. a 3-5 minute video (in which you talk and/or show items, such as images, quotes, charts, graphs, etc.)
  3. a 30-50 slide print presentation (made with Google Slides, MS PowerPoint, or something similar, that combines printed words with images, quotes, charts, graphs, etc.)

Choose ONE of these topics:

  1. Choose your favorite movie, or at least one that you really like (alternatively, you may choose a television show, as long as film styles are applicable to it). Discuss it in terms of film style—overall, what type of style is it (Formalist, Realist, something else)? In support of your analysis, provide small examples of typical shots, framing, acting, and so forth that are considered representative of that film style. Required: in addition to making use of your selected favorite movie, you must also consider any lessons covered thus far that are applicable to this analysis, citing at least five works provided in any of these lessons; that’s a total of six works.
  2. Allen Ginsberg once stated, “Poetry is the one place where people can speak their original human mind. It is the outlet for people to say in public what is known in private” (Good Reads). Bob Dylan once said, “A poem is a naked person… Some people say that I am a poet” (American Songwriter). Consider the Case Study: The Music Industry & Print in terms of media convergence and meaning—how is meaning changed with each music video provided in the case study? What remains the same? Required: in addition to making use of the “The Music Industry & Print” case study, you must also consider any lessons covered thus far that are applicable to this analysis, citing at least five works provided in any of these lessons; that’s a total of six works.
  3. Watch any two of the films in Case Study: Movies about Radio & Television—one from each category. Aside from the obvious (audio vs. audio/visual) what are the differences between radio and television? Consider how news and entertainment are relayed. Consider how politics have affected the broadcasting of news and entertainment. Compare/contrast the themes of each film, with an emphasized focus upon differences. Required: in addition to making use of two movies from the “Movies about Radio & Television” case study, you must also consider any lessons covered thus far that are applicable to this analysis, citing at least four works provided in any of these lessons; that’s a total of six works. BONUS POINTS: Because this asks you to pay to watch some films, there is an automatic 6 point bonus for this topic.
  4. What is the difference between community media experience and personal media experience? Choose an example of each of any two media types: music, radio, television, movies. (For example, you might choose a television show and a movie.) Try to support your explanation by going into as much detail as possible. Be sure to provide reference/link information for the examples you select. Required: in addition to making use of your two selected samples of two different media types, you must also consider any lessons covered thus far that are applicable to this analysis, citing at least four works provided in any of these lessons; that’s a total of six works.
  5. Broadcasting is mostly dead and cable is dying (or is dead already, hooked up to artificial life support). How are venues such as Vevo, YouTube, Netflix, and Amazon Prime like and not like radio and television? Consider both the technology and the method of sharing audio and video productions. Required:  you must consider any lessons covered thus far that are applicable to this analysis, citing at least six works provided in any of these lessons.

How to Submit Your Work to Me

You have several options:

  1. a 1000-1500 word essay
    1. Via KSU Google Document (see “How to Use KSU Google”).
    2. As a well composed email (sent to clrobins@kent.edu).
    3. As a document (PDF or a word processor document) attached to an email sent to me (clrobins@kent.edu)
  2. a 3-5 minute video (in which you talk and/or show items, such as images, quotes, charts, graphs, etc.)
    1. Via KSU Google Drive: upload it to your Drive account and then share it with me (clrobins@kent.edu)
    2. Via YouTube as an unlisted video
    3. Microsoft One Drive
    4. Dropbox
  3. a 30-50 slide print presentation (made with Google Slides, MS PowerPoint, or something similar, that combines printed words with images, quotes, charts, graphs, etc.)
    1. Via KSU Google Drive
    2. Microsoft One Drive
    3. Dropbox
    4. Convert the slides to a PDF and attach that to an email to me

Once I have received an email–either with the assignment attached or with notification that you have shared it with me–I will send you confirmation of receipt for that assignment, usually within 48 hours of receipt.

How Your Work Will Be Evaluated

Your assignment will be evaluated for clarity of thought expressed, and it must be thorough—fully responding to the topic. It must demonstrate critical thinking skills, particularly as they are tailored to the communication parameters of the medium/media under analysis (media literacy skills).

RUBRIC

An A level assignment follows the assignment directions fully.  It responds to the chosen topic fully, with demonstrated depth of thought and logic. The communication is coherent (clear images, complete sentences,…).  The communication has a professional tone.  The assignment demonstrates having gone through the lesson(s), as well as having thought deeply about the content of what is being taught.

A B level assignment follows the assignment directions fully.  It responds to the chosen topic fully, with some demonstrated depth of thought and/or some logic. The communication is mostly coherent (clear images, complete sentences,…).  The communication has a professional tone.   The assignment demonstrates having gone through the lesson(s), as well as having thought considerably about the content of what is being taught.

A C level assignment mostly follows the assignment directions, but not completely. It responds to the chosen topic, there is not much demonstrated depth of thought and/or  logic (the depth of thought is weak or vague). The communication is mostly coherent (clear images, complete sentences,…).  The communication has a mostly professional tone.   The assignment demonstrates having gone through the lesson(s), but not much more (not much thought put into it).

A D level assignment  barely follows the assignment directions.  It responds to the chosen topic, but the depth of thought is weak or vague, and it might wander off topic. The communication is sometimes incoherent, difficult to follow.  The communication may or may not have a professional tone.  The assignment does not demonstrate a lot of thought or having gone through the lesson(s).

An F level essay doesn’t really follow the assignment directions.  It fails to respond to the chosen topic in any sort of coherent and meaningful way.  Communication is mostly gobbledygook.