HUM 186 Wk 1 – The Formative Influence of Mass Media on American Culture

Due Thursday

Respond to any one of the following discussion prompts in a minimum of 175 words:

Please Note the Discussion Prompt # in your reply.

Discussion Prompt #1:

What is Media Literacy? What advertisements, news stories, and other media images and content have you encountered or interacted with today? What is the cumulative effect of these media? Are these positive messages, negative messages, or do they have another effect?

Discussion Prompt #2:

What advantages do traditional media have over emerging media and vice versa? What are the shortcomings of each type of media? If you are a reporter with access to all forms of media distribution, which do you choose first to tell a story? Why? Explain how you might have answered this question differently 20 years ago.

Discussion Prompt #3:

Search on Google, then Watch the TEDTalk entitled “Juan Enriquez: Your online life, permanent as a tattoo.” Discuss your thoughts on this with the class. This relates to media convergence.

Discussion Prompt #4:

Communication and media have changed a great deal in just the past decade. Take a moment to think about mass media and some of the ways it influences American culture. Now think how it has affected you personally. Consider the advertisements, news stories, and other media images and content you have encountered or interacted with today. Reflect on the overall effect of these media. Are these positive messages, negative messages, or do they have another effect?

Due Monday

Reply to your classmates. Be constructive and professional in your responses.