Assignment Details:
- In a each of your posts I want you to criticize a contemporary media text (a film, television show, podcast, song, etc.) with the aim of focusing on how it shapes our understanding of a specific political issue or policy debate.
- Your post should make use of a primary reading or readings from our class as a way for you to ground your analysis. For example, if you are criticizing the representation of terrorism in Zero Dark Thirty, then you should make use of course content that gives you a model for doing your analysis (such as Robert McChesney's piece on journalism and war, or the chapter on 'ideology' that I assigned in Week Five).
- The most important thing, however, is for you to utilize course readings as a way to support your argument about the text (in this case, Zero Dark Thirty). In other words, don't just tell me what Robert McChesney says about journalism and war...rather, you should use his ideas to support the argument that you're making about the representation of terrorism in a Hollywood movie. Think of our readings as tools you can use for criticism.
- You only need to do two blog posts. Since these are intended to maximize flexibility for you, there are five possible dates for submission (Weeks 5, 6, 8, 11, 12). Under no circumstances will I accept posts after Week 14. All blog posts must be posted by 1 pm on the date on which you’re submitting.
- Your blog posts will be graded according to a standard rubric, which will be posted on ANGEL alongside of the assignment so you can better understand my expectations. I will also provide you with some brief comments on your blog posts, I will be happy to meet with you during office hours to talk about your posts and your grade.
- Your post must be 1,000 words. No longer.
- If you are quoting material assigned for the class, please include the author’s name and the page number.
- Use spell check and grammar check when you initially write your critique. Use them again after you cut and paste your content into a your post. I will deduct for spelling and grammatical errors.
- When you post your response on the ANGEL discussion board, make sure that it is single spaced and looks like a regular blog post. The discussion board is in a folder labeled 'Media Critiques', which is accessible from the main page entitled 'Lessons'.
- Try to create posts that are interesting and lively. I'm fine with a conversational tone, but I expect that you’ll cite any material you use (whether it’s from the internet or course materials). In particular, make sure you provide a link to the media you’re criticizing (if it is a film that is not available on the Internet, then you need to provide a link to the film's trailer).
- If you do not understand what the assignment is asking you to do, then you cannot write an excellent media analysis. So...if you do not understand, or have questions, please see me or simply ask your question(s) in class.
- If you aren't used to reading or writing media critiques, then might find it helpful to look at some of the excellent criticism that appears on websites like Salon, Racialicious, Native Appropriations, Jezebel, or Sociological Images.
