Module 3 - Part 1, Canvas Discussion Board Assignment

Due Friday, January 26.

Make Noise

"I know y'all niggas want it (I know y'all bitches want it)
WHAT
I know y'all really need it
HO
The shit to keep you bouncin'
WHAT
To keep the party heated
Make Noise, Make Noise, Make Noise, Make Noise, c'mon!"
Busta Rhymes

I apologize to those of you who are offended by the occasional use of street language in this course. But there is no better example in popular culture of "Noise" - Environmental, Semantic, Psychological.

And to me, Noise may be the most important element in the communications process.

Some of you have already had examples of environmental noise (problems with e-mail, problems with Canvas Discussion Board). And we've had examples of semantic noise in the Canvas Discussion Board postings as an occasional posting was misunderstood.

And, though you may not have realized it, you've given me some excellent examples of Psychological Noise. Log onto Canvas Discussion Board and re-read YOUR postings from Module 1 and 2. See if you can find an example of Selective Exposure, Selective Perception, or Selective Retention. If so, share it with us. Describe the posting, explain which of the "selectives" fit, and try to explain why.

If you didn't find one in your postings, can you think of an example from your personal experience?

Module 3 - Part 3, Canvas Discussion Board Assignment

Due Friday, February 2.

Money

"Money, get back.
I'm all right Jack, but keep your hands off my stack.
Money, it's a hit.
But don't give me that do goody good bull shit.
I'm in the hi-fidelity, first class traveling set.
And I think I need a Lear jet."
Pink Floyd

"My money, money, money, my bitch is my money.
Ohhh money you my honey.
Money is my bitch.
Ohhh money, money, money, love her cause she keep a nigga' rich."
Nas

In the first part of Module 3, you began thinking about the "process" of communication - how it takes place and what actually happens. Then, you moved from looking at personal communication to mass communication. The process is the same, but the nature of mass communicators is very different from the nature of interpersonal communicators.

Part 3 of Module 3 talks about the 5 characteristics of mass communication organizations. The most important of these may be # 4, Exists to make a profit. Organizations must generate income; they must generate revenue. Now, I'm not cynical enough to claim that every decision made in a mass communications organization is made with an eye on income. When the local paper sends a reporter out to cover a story, the assignment editor isn't calculating the number of papers that story will sell.

Or are they?

Consume some media. It might be a magazine, newspaper, CD, movie, TV show (leave the Internet out for now). Try to identify something that media did just to raise income, to increase sales, to increase viewers. No, you can't take the easy way out and say, "sell ads".

In your Canvas Discussion Board posting, tell us what the media was and what you think was done to raise income.

Module 3 - Part 4, Canvas Discussion Board Assignment

Due Monday, February 5.

57 Channels

"So I bought a .44 magnum it was solid steel cast.
And in the blessed name of Elvis well I just let it blast.
Til my TV lay in pieces there at my feet.
And they busted me for disturbing the almighty peace.
Judge said What you got in your defense son?
Fifty-seven channels and nothin' on."
Bruce Springstein

Another mantra for you - SILEE (or ELIES) - The five main roles of mass communications:
Surveillance
Interpretation
Linkage
Establishing Values
Entertainment

Now, go consume some media. Don't go looking for anything in particular, just your regular, everyday consumption. But over the next few days, think Silee (or Elies). Then, go to the Canvas Discussion Board and give examples of how the media you consumed fit into these roles. You may not go five for five, but briefly describe your media experiences and tell how they matched these roles.

Module 3 - Part 6, Canvas Discussion Board Assignment

Due Monday, February 12.

Californication

"It's the edge of the world
And all of western civilization.
The sun may rise in the east
At least it settles in a final location.
It's understood that Hollywood Sells Californication."
- Red Hot Chilli Peppers

Consume some media. It might be a movie, a newspaper, a song, a TV show, a book, or a web site.

Look for examples of symbiosis (companies working together to achieve common goals.) Was it advertised? If so, where? Is it on the web? Is it on cable? Have they talked about it on "Entertainment Tonight"? Was it mentioned in "People Magazine"?

Then go to the Canvas Discussion Board. Tell us the media you consumed and all the symbiosis you could find. Then look at everyone else's postings. Help them find more examples of symbiosis. As a group, try to find as many examples of symbiotic relationships as you can. Don't forget to explain why it's symbiosis.