XCOM 225 Week 1 Print Media Worksheet

Complete the Print Media Industry Worksheet.

Submit your assignment to the Assignment Files tab.

Print Media Industry Worksheet

In Parts A and B, respond to each question using complete sentences, in a paragraph of at least 100 words. Be clear and concise, and explain your answers. Cite any outside sources consistent with APA guidelines.

In Part C, respond to each of the statements with a specific example or an explanation; use complete sentences as needed.

Part A: Historical and contemporary role of the print media industry

Choose one of the following two topics: the feminist movement (women’s liberation) or public education.

Answer the following questions about the relationship between your topic, the print media industry, and American society. Provide specific examples and cite at least three professional publications or articles.

1. How has the print media industry historically treated your selected topic (feminism or public education)? How does the print media industry treat that topic today?

2. How has the print media industry helped drive improvements and public awareness of your selected topic? Has the media perpetuated any drawbacks, controversies, or scandals surrounding this topic?

3. What role has the print media industry played throughout the history of this topic? Do you think the current role of the print media is the same as it was in the 1800s and 1900s? Why or why not?

Part B: The influence of new technology on the print media industry

For each print media industry—books, newspapers, and magazines—answer the following questions:

1. How has the development of the Internet, wireless communication, computers, and hand-held digital devices affected print media companies’ products and sales?

2. What changes have print media companies made to incorporate new technology into their traditional products? Have these changes been successful or unsuccessful? Why?

3. How have consumers reacted to these changes?

Part C: Major publications in the print media industry

XCOM 225 Week 2 New Technology Paper

Write a 700- to 1,050-word paper in which you investigate a new type of technology and describe how it currently affects the print media industry.

• Conduct an Internet search on one of the following technologies: radio paper, digital pen, digital library, or e-book device.
• Discuss how the new technology works, what method or product the new technology is designed to replace, why the new technology is preferable to the old method or product, how this new technology benefits a print media corporation, the public, or both, and any opposition to the new technology.

Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.

Submit your assignment to the Assignment Files tab.

XCOM 225 Week 3 Electronic and Digital Media Industry Paper

Describe the role technology has played in electronic and digital media in a 700- to 1,050-word paper.

Discuss the historical and contemporary roles of media in society.

Describe how the chemical and electronic technology of photography, recording, and transmission has advanced from initial discovery to the present.

Describe how mass media uses these technological innovations.

Analyze how the development of digital technology has affected the content, distribution, and style of electronic media.

Discuss how the role of mass media has changed with these developments.

Cite readings and at least two peer-reviewed sources.

Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.

Submit your assignment to the Assignment Files tab.

XCOM 225 Week 4 Annotated Reference List

Review Ch. 13 of The Media of Mass Communication, especially the “Lifestyle Effects”, “Attitude Effects”, “Cultural Effects”, and “Behavioral Effects” sections.

Choose one lifestyle, attitude, cultural, or behavioral effect to analyze. Research the topic and select 8–10 research articles from the University Library.

Provide annotated references. Your list must summarize each article and explain why it is relevant to the topic.

Identify whether this was an experimental research study. Explain what research methodology was used to collect the data in the article.

Format your annotated reference list consistent with APA guidelines.

Submit your assignment to the Assignment Files tab.

XCOM 225 Week 5 Press Release

Write a 350- to 700-word summary in which you describe a press release addressing a scandal or setback related to your chosen topic.

• Use the same topic you chose for the Print Media Worksheet: the feminist movement and women’s liberation, public education, antiwar protestors, fur and leather products, pollution, or wildlife and environment conservation.
• Locate a press release addressing a scandal or other setback related to your chosen topic. This press release may address individuals involved in the field or movement or an issue that affects the field or movement itself.
• First, explain the nature of the scandal or setback, how this scandal affected an individual’s career or the field or movement as a whole, and what details of the scandal that the press release addressed or ignored.
• Next, discuss the role of the mass media in reporting this scandal and why it was newsworthy. Discuss the journalistic, political, and societal purpose of reporting it, and how the press release was written to mitigate the public response to the scandal. Also, discuss why a press release was preferable—for the client or the public—to the alternatives, such as tabloids, blogs, and rumors.

Format your responses consistent with APA guidelines.

Submit your assignment to the Assignment Files tab.

XCOM 225 Week 6 Controversial Issues in Entertainment Paper

Discuss a controversial issue you have seen in the media, such as violence, unethical behavior, racial or religious discrimination, drug use, or sexual content, in a 700- to 1,050-word paper.

Explain the nature of the controversy, why it is used, and how it would be different with the controversial content removed. Provide examples.

Find three mass media messages on the issue from different sources, such as a news report, advertisement, or press release. Discuss how each source presents a different side of the issue and how media affects public opinion.

Discuss how new technology affects news and advertising. How does new technology affect the public’s perception of the controversy? Does the medium in which the message is presented resolve or exacerbate the controversy?

Alternative Option (with instructor approval):

Create two media pieces showcasing the pros and cons of the same controversial issue.

Present different sides of the controversial issue in each media piece to demonstrate how the media piece affects public opinion.

Your media pieces may be in any of the following formats: radio or television advertisement, news report, press release, newspaper or magazine column, or a blog.

Include the following in your media pieces:

• Discuss the nature of the controversy.
• How does it affect or benefit our society?
• Why should we be concerned?
• Provide a possible solution to the problem (if applicable).

You may use the following options to create your media pieces:

• Script (3 to 4 pages)
• Slide presentation (10 to 12 slides)
• Audio or video podcast (1 to 2 minutes)
• Or another format approved by your instructor

Cite readings and at least three peer-reviewed sources.

Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.

Submit your assignment to the Assignment Files tab.

XCOM 225 Week 7 Media and Government Worksheet

Complete the Associate Level Material: Media and Government worksheet.

Submit your assignment to the Assignment Files tab.

Media and Government

Read the following two short articles about air quality at the Beijing 2008 Olympics. Links to the articles may be found on the Electronic Reserve Reading for this week. Answer the questions in the chart with complete sentences.

China can’t fully fix air quality problem for Olympics. (2008, July 16). Space Daily.

Beijing able to honor Olympic commitments: City party chief. (2008, July 21). Xinhua News Agency.

XCOM 225 Week 7 Mass Media Messages and Effects Presentation

Create a 10- to 12-slide Microsoft® PowerPoint® presentation in which you present the major points of your Mass Media Messages and Effects Paper. Include speaker notes and references.

• For Local Campus students, these are 8- to 12-minute oral presentations accompanied by Microsoft® PowerPoint® presentations.

• For Online and Directed Study students, these are Microsoft® PowerPoint® presentations with speaker notes.

Alternative Option (with instructor approval):

Create a broadcast between 1 minute and 3 minutes in which you present the major points of your Mass Media Messages and Effects Paper.

You may use the following options to create your broadcast:

• Script (3 to 4 pages)
• Audio or video podcast
• Or another format approved by your instructor

Submit a link to your presentation in a Microsoft® Word document to your instructor if the media resource cannot be easily uploaded to the Assignment Files tab.

XCOM 225 Week 8 Media Law Matrix

Complete the Associate Level Material: Media Law Matrix.

Submit your assignment to the Assignment Files tab.

Media Law Matrix

After reading Ch. 16 of the text, identify at least five laws relating to media regulation. Explain how the laws affect mass media and the public. Provide a brief description of ethical issues and considerations. Describe how these ethical considerations are related to the laws you have identified.

Select two issues currently in the media—one local issue and one global issue—related to media in society.

Local media issue:

What are the relevant laws related to the issue? In 350 words, explain the legal implications and ethical considerations as they apply to the media’s responsibility.

Global media issue:

Explain the interaction between mass media and government in this issue. In 350 words, explain the effect of the mass media messages related to this issue on society.

XCOM 225 Week 9 Mass Media Messages and Effects Paper

Write a 1,400- to 1,750-word paper, using previous assignments, in which you identify and discuss the effects of mass media messages on society.

Demonstrate: Using research, demonstrate some methods (such as social media, advertising, or product placement) used by mass media to influence its audience.

Demonstrate how mass media may influence or create the effect in the public by distributing certain messages.

Determine if there is an unethical influence on the public.

Describe the historical and contemporary roles of electronic and digital media in society.

Explain how technological transitions shape electronic and digital media.

Analyze the influence of digital technology on electronic and digital media.

Evaluate current communication conditions and suggest ways for strategic improvement using techniques you have learned from readings and class.

Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.

Submit your assignment to the Assignment Files tab.