Blog #7: The Media and the Family

Please do the assigned readings for today. Now, I would like you to think of today's TV families. Pick one of these TV families. Describe them in as much detail as you can. Select a theory and use it to suggest an "effect." The effect could be at either the micro or macro level. Consider the following in your discussion: Marital relationships, sibling relationships, and racial/gender issues (or other stereotypes). Your blogs will be the central component of our class discussion. So please come prepared to present your findings.

Due: Oct. 28 @ 5 p.m.

Blog #6: Media and Race

Please read the assigned articles for today. Next I want you to think deeply and respond to the following questions. Is the media industry racist and/or sexist? Why or why not? One race theorist has suggested that television is always staged from a white subject position reaffirming the superiority of whiteness and the ideology it reflects. Do you agree or disagree? As you make your argument, use examples as necessary. Finally, we will explore the idea of "representation" in our class discussion. Do you think its is better for a minority group to be represented/appear frequently on television (or in other media), even if that representation includes negative stereotypes, than to be shown infrequently with more positive stereotypes. Why or why not?

Due: Oct. 21 at 5 p.m.

Blog #5: Does TV Kill?

Please read the assigned articles. I want you to think deeply about the "effects" of exposure to entertainment violence and aggression. Think about your own experiences and the experiences of others that you have observed. What are the consequences of watching violent media or playing violent video games? What do you think? Can you (based on previous class discussions) identify cognitive effects? Socialization effects? Physiological effects (this is a new area for our discussion)? Macro or societal effects? Please address each of these areas, drawing from the theoretical foundations we have discussed in class. Finally, respond to the question: "Does TV kill?"

Due: Oct. 14 @ 5 p.m.

Blog #4: Predicting Behavior: Can We?

Think of something you have been wanting to do, but have actually never done before. What factors might best predict your willingness to try the new behavior or to adopt this new idea/thing in the next 12 months? Now, based on your answer to the previous question, could you create a model to predict the behaviors of others? Finally, apply your model to a serious social issue (e.g., obesity, adolescent alcohol use, smoking, etc.) and explain how it might be beneficial to a campaign designed to reduce incidences of this behavior among vulnerable audiences.

Due: Oct. 7 @ 5 p.m.