Continue with a daily media journal in Google Docs.

Read: http://www.transparencynow.com/mediacrit.htm

Media criticism is in an undeveloped state, today, largely because the mainstream media allows virtually no open discussion of the subject. Some criticism that does get to the public, of course, but most of it is corrupted by the same forces that have turned the rest of the media into a source of manipulation.The selections below attempt to correct this conspiracy of silence by offering readers an introduction to the field that will allow them to see the larger trends that define much of the media. The selections focus on the following characteristics of contemporary culture and society:* The fact that all centers of power today rely on media and that all use sensory manipulations and simulations, along with story lines, rhetoric, and performances to sell audiences products, candidates and ideas.* The fact that most media, today, from news to advertising, rely on spectacle, simplification and exaggeration to grab and hold audiences.* The fact that the news media has become a part of the power and economic system that it is supposed to report on. Instead of standing at a distance from events and trying to provide an accurate account, all too often it is just another inside player manipulating information for its own ends. This not only means that media companies have a conflict of interest but also that journalists who would prefer to be honest end up subordinating themselves to those in power in their own organizations and shaping their coverage accordingly. It also means that media criticism that isn't afraid to report on what is taking place is now essential to the maintenance of democracy.* The fact that much of media is beset by idealization and demonization in which media manipulators depict themselves and their allies as heroes and saints, and their opponents or targets as villains, fools and disturbed characters, both to create exciting stories and win battles.* The fact that the media today is pervaded by missing information. What is missing is precisely the information above, which would discredit the system and result in reforms that would lock out many of those who now work the system for their own benefit.* The fact that all media today is a form of action. Stories, rhetoric, sensory images and manipulated impressions are all efforts to influence people's perceptions and action, evoke fears and desires, and play to values. The omission of information from the media is a form of action, as well.* Finally, the fact that the media today is also full of efforts to get at the truth, which are often disguised or limited in various ways. Many of these efforts to tell the public the truth can be found in the fictions of movies and television which openly depict the con artist culture we now live in and the corruption of the media.These propositions have to form the core of any theory of media criticism and any theory that seeks to describe contemporary society. The following selections are intended to provide overviews that will introduce and expand on these ideas.

What is your reaction to this?

If you did not do so on Friday:

Read this presentation and write a response on Google Docs:



Otherwise: Begin a media journal on Google Documents. Using analytic techniques from this class, write down observations you have on media and communication -- you can write about film, tv, music, advertising, etc. Or you could write about types of communication that you've encountered.

Make sure you share with mr.strohmaa@gmail.com so that I can provide feedback.

Here are some articles if you need food for thought:


Read this presentation and write a response on Google Docs:

Read this presentation and write a response on Google Docs:

Lesson: Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Deconstructing Media

When we deconstruct something we break it into smaller pieces and analyze how it is made. For instance, if you were to deconstruct a computer you would take it apart, piece by piece, and look at each piece to see how it fits together as a whole. You would see how the processor connects to the motherboard, and how the video card connects to the monitor, etc.

When we deconstruct media we use the same idea. For instance, we can deconstruct advertisements by looking at the symbols they use and analyzing how the symbols give the ad meaning. We can deconstruct a film or television show by looking at camera angles, lighting, etc. Each element of media affects its meaning.

Below is a chart that shows some of the elements of advertising. Read the chart and analyze an advertisement using elements from the chart. Start by focusing on one element. The narrower your focus, the more deeply you can analyze.

Answer on a Google Doc and share with mr.strohmaa@gmail.com



Questions to consider in your analysis:

Continue working on spoof advertisements. Remember: they must be advertising something. Here are some more examples:

Monday, May 21, 2012

Your mission: create a spoof advertisement using images or other drawing tools on the internet.

OR

Create a spoof advertisement by hand, type old school.

OR

Write a critique of an advertisement you found.

Send it to mr.strohmaa@gmail.com
or share it as a Google Doc with mr.strohmaa@gmail.com

for examples and ideas do a Google search for "spoof advertisements", "culture jamming", "adbusters".

May The Force be with you.

Lesson: Friday, Friday, FRIDAY!, May 18, 2012

Your mission: create a spoof advertisement using images or other drawing tools on the internet.

OR

Create a spoof advertisement by hand, type old school.

OR

Write a critique of an advertisement you found.

Send it to mr.strohmaa@gmail.com
or share it as a Google Doc with mr.strohmaa@gmail.com

for examples and ideas do a Google search for "spoof advertisements", "culture jamming", "adbusters".

May The Force be with you.

Lesson: Thursday, May 17, 2012

Rebellion against advertising and consumer culture:

What are some ways that you see people rebel against the ads they see in the media?

Use this period to research ways people rebel against advertising.

Some examples may use commentary, parody, protest, etc.

Compile some samples into a presentation on Google Docs.

Then share with mr.strohmaa@gmail.com

http://www.adbusters.org/

Use yesterday's advertising analysis form to analyze the ads below.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Lesson: Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Complete the assignment below. Don't forget to click submit!
You can do as many as you want. After you submit, refresh the page for a new form.
Rock on!

Friday: May 11, 2012

Used today to catch up on this week's assignments. Make sure you have e-mailed or shared your responses with me on Google Docs.

mr.strohmaa@gmail.com

I will look over your response and provide feedback.

As you work contemplate this question: are the techniques innovated by Edward Bernays and modern advertisers necessary? Overall are they harmful or helpful to society? What are your thoughts?

Rock on!

Lesson: Wednesday, May 9, 2012 Evil Genius or Mad Visionary?

Inquiry:
Research this topic: How did Edward Bernays change advertising?

Lesson: Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Carefully study the ads shown here: http://www.stayfreemagazine.org/ml/assignments/advg_evolution_hi-res.pdf. What do the older ads have in common? What do you see as the most fundamental differences between the old and new? The newer advertising strategies have been developed through a great amount of research that shows them to be more effective. Why do you think their strategies might be more effective than the old?

Lesson: Thursday, May 3, 2012

Continue with targeted-marketing magazine project.

As you are choosing advertisements to place in your magazine, think about the symbols used in the ads. Why do you think they used these symbols?

Also, create, using images from the web, your own advertisements. Think carefully about the symbols you use.

Write a 1-2 paragraph statement about the symbolism used in your advertisements (both the ones you chose, and the ones you created).

Lesson: Thursday, May 3, 2012

Continue with targeted-marketing magazine project.

As you are choosing advertisements to place in your magazine, think about the symbols used in the ads. Why do you think they used these symbols?

Also, create, using images from the web, your own advertisements. Think carefully about the symbols you use.

Write a 1-2 paragraph statement about the symbolism used in your advertisements (both the ones you chose, and the ones you created).

Lesson: Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Continue working on your targeted-marketing magazine idea.

On your document give examples of the type of articles you would feature.

Also, what type of advertisements do you think would run in your magazine?

Search the internet for magazine advertisements and images that you would feature in your magazine. Add these images to your document.

Examples: