Media Response Paper: There are two objectives to this assignment: (1) to provide you with experience in both academic writing and developing an argument based on strong evidence, as well as 2) to help you think more critically about the media we consume on a daily basis, via internet, television, radio, etc. This paper is to be 5-7 pages long, double spaced, size 12 Times New Roman font, 1" margins using ASA or APA format.
For this paper you will critically investigate a social problem and how it is presented in a media source, using knowledge and insights gained in this course.
The parameters for this assignment are fairly broad: you can watch a full-length movie, an episode of a TV show or movie, read a magazine editorial/article, watch a news program, listen to a podcast, or consume another source of media (as long as you run it by me, first) and discuss how a social problemis discussed in the source. Some ideas/examples for this exercise are to:
a. Watch a full-length movie, or an episode of a television show (must be at least one hour long) that discusses a social problem (a controversial issue which claims makers describe as a problem). Likely, (especially in films) other characters will not think that same "problem" is a problem. If you need suggestions, please let me know.
b. Watch/listen to and compare and contrast two or more of the following news stations: CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, National Public Radio (NPR) to see how each describes a social problem (look for controversies and agreements).
c. Listen to a podcast or radio show (NPR) to see how it engages in claims making and describe points being made about why something is or is not a "social problem."
d. Read articles from The New Yorker, or Huffington Post, and compare it to an article from The National Review, or The Economist, or The Wall Street Journal.
Note: If you choose to use articles rather than podcasts or television/movies, you must use at least 5 articles unless they are longer than 3-4 pages on the internet (in which case, you may talk to me about your expectations).
For this exercise, keep in mind the following questions as you consume your media of choice:
• What social problem is being described? Why is it a problem? Who thinks it is a problem? Why is it described as a problem/not a problem?
• Who is being impacted by this "social problem?" Are they the same people who describe this problem to be a problem?
• If you are doing a comparative paper, what controversies do you notice in the description of a social problem?
• Does the media source provide any sort of proposed solution to the issue at hand? If so, what is it, and what sort of agenda does it fit?
• What other concepts from class are illustrated in the media source?
Worth 25 pts. (Simply calculate grade/15 to find out your percentage). You will be held accountable for this rubric and my directions play a role in decisions regarding how well these criteria are being evaluated.
A social problem is accurately represented
2 or more claims are discussed analyzed regarding a social problem
Author demonstrates solid understanding of their (media) selection
Author followed instructions
(1 hr. of time, 12 pt. font, Times New Roman, APA/ASA format)
Author used course materials/concepts in analysis
Analysis is insightful, interesting, beyond basics
Paper is well organized/grammar/spelling
At least one hour of air time (reading time for books, if you choose to use articles, you must use at least 5).
Comments:
Note: To cite movies and television shows, simply acknowledge them in your paper (ex. In X Men, Xavier had a lot of similarities to Martin Luther King Jr. while Magneto had a lot of similarities to Malcom X, etc.).
TOPIC: Stop and Frisk
But if you think it's easier to write other topic, choose from below.
Abortion
Affirmative Action
Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)
Ageism / Age Discrimination
Airport Security
Alcoholism
Animal Rights
Anorexia Nervosa
Anti-Muslim Discrimination
Birth Control
Bulimia Nervosa
Bullying
Campus Crime
Capital Punishment / Death Penalty
Child Abuse
Child Labor
Classism
Climate Change
Cloning
Corporate Downsizing
Cyber Bullying
Date Rape
Disaster Relief
Distracted Driving
Domestic Violence
Dream Act
Drinking and Driving
Drug Abuse / Drug Addiction
Eating Disorders
Ebola Virus Disease
Embryonic Stem Cell Research
Environmental Pollution
Equal Pay
Gang Violence
Gay Rights
Genetically Modified Food
Global Warming
Gun Control
Hazing
Health Care Disparities
Health Care Reform
HIV / AIDS
Homelessness
Honor Killings
Human Trafficking
Identify Theft
Illegal Immigration
Legalization of Marijuana
Legalization of Prostitution
Mall Shootings
Mass Murder
Meth Labs (Methamphetamine Laboratories)
Mercy Killing / Assisted Suicide
Minimum Wage
Obamacare (Affordable Care Act)
Obesity
Organ and Body Donation
Outsourcing Jobs
Pedophilia
Police Brutality
Pollution
Pornography
Poverty
Prayer in Schools
Racial Disparities in Sentencing
Racial Profiling
Racism
Rape
Right to Work
Same-Sex Marriage
Sex Trade
Sexism
Sexual Harassment
Sexting
Single Parenting
Smoking / Tobacco Use
Social Networking and Privacy
Spousal Abuse
Steroid Use in Sports
Stereotyping
Suicide
Sweat Shops
Teen Pregnancy
Terrorism
Unemployment
Violence in Schools
Violence in Music Videos
Violence in Video Games
Voting Rights Restrictions