our Media Content Analysis paper is due Tuesday, July 2, by 11:59 p.m. This analysis is worth 130 points, so please make sure you put in the necessary effort on this assignment and that it meets ALL requirements, including length and content.
Safe Assign will check for plagiarism, so make sure all sources are properly cited and any direct quotes are placed in quotation marks. You do not have to use APA or MLA style, but you must cite your sources in the paper. Plagiarizing on the paper will result in a zero and will significantly affect your grade. Late papers will not be accepted.
Assignment
Using and DEMONSTRATING the media literacy skills you have gained in this class, choose JUST ONE of the following topics and write a 3 to 5-page content analysis.
IMPORTANT: You must include at least one of the MEDIA theories discussed in Chapter 13, and it must be applied correctly, so make sure you understand these theories. The theories deal with the effect of the media on the audience, not with the characters in the media content you are analyzing. Do not use agenda-setting theory unless you are analyzing the news media. Please email me with any questions.
1. Watch at least 3 episodes of a television show and observe how the show portrays race, gender, and/or sexuality. Are there stereotypes present? (Think grammar, syntax, dress, behavior, occupation, etc.) How are women and minorities (racial, sexual orientation, handicaps etc.) portrayed? What encoded messages does this send the audience? What values are promoted? Give specific examples from the show. Be sure to note what is significant about your findings and point out both the positive and negative implications of how the show's creators handle these topics. Do you think these portrayals can influence viewers? If so, how?
OR
2. Listen to an entire CD and/or watch several videos by one music artist and observe how race, gender, and/or sexuality are portrayed. Are there stereotypes present? (Think grammar, syntax, dress, behavior, occupation, etc.) How are women and minorities (racial, sexual orientation, etc.) portrayed? What encoded messages does this send the audience? What values are promoted? Give specific examples and techniques from the lyrics and video images. Be sure to note what is significant about your findings and point out both the positive and negative implications of how the artist handle these topics. Do you think these portrayals can influence listeners/viewers? If so, how?
OR
3. Play a video game for several hours and observe how the game portrays race, gender, violence, and/or sexuality. Are there stereotypes present? (Think grammar, syntax, dress, behavior, occupation, etc.) How are women and minorities (racial, sexual orientation, etc.) portrayed? What encoded messages does this send the audience? What values are promoted? Give specific examples from the gameplay. Be sure to note what is significant about your findings and point out both the positive and negative implications of how the game's creators handle these topics. Do you think these portrayals can influence viewers? If so, how?
NOTE: Do not do your paper on Grand Theft Auto, since we have already discussed it in this class.
OR
4. Watch a movie and observe how it portrays race, gender and/or sexuality. Are there stereotypes present? (Think grammar, syntax, dress, behavior, occupation, etc.) How are women and minorities (racial, sexual orientation, disabilities, etc.) portrayed? What encoded messages does this send the audience? What values are promoted? Give specific examples from the movie. Be sure to note what is significant about your findings and point out both the positive and negative implications of how the director handles these topics. Do you think these portrayals can influence viewers? If so, how?
Again, do not analyze the same movie you watched for the product placement assignment.
Grading Breakdown
Overall Content and Tone: 100 points.
This includes the use of specific examples from the media you are analyzing (scenes, lyrics, dialogue, etc.) and information that you have learned in the course as well as correctly implementing at least one media theory. This is an academic paper and should provide a thoughtful analysis of media content in language that is appropriate for an academic paper. Avoid slang and overly informal language. Note that agenda setting theory typically relates to news media, not entertainment media, so keep that in mind when choosing a theory for your media content analysis.
Grammar, Spelling, Punctuation: 30 points
Papers should be free from spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.
Total Points Possible: 130
IMPORTANT: If you struggle with grammar, spelling, word usage, and/or punctuation, please visit The Learning Commons in the Eastfield College library for FREE TUTORING assistance. This is a college level Communications class and I do expect your paper to reflect that. You can also download the Grammarly extension for your web browser (strongly suggested).
You can find tutoring services hours and other information here:
http://libguides.eastfieldcollege.edu/tutoring