Press in America

The Influence Machine

2011-08-24T10:19:00.001-04:00

http://www.npr.org/2011/05/21/136494993/the-influencing-machine-traces-myths-of-the-media

Final Blog Response - Fall 2010

2010-12-02T13:01:00.001-05:00

By Monday, Dec. 6, AT 6 p.m., please formulate and post a question you'd like to answer in a 500-word about HAMLET'S BLACKBERRY.

Hamlet's Blackberry

2010-11-19T16:34:00.002-05:00

William Powers perceives a kind of "flattening" because of what he calls hyper-connectedness. How is his sense of flattening different from Andrew Keen's? To what characteristics of being connected does he attribute flattening? Please respond by Monday, Nov. 29, at 4 p.m.

ADVISORY:

Those of you who've missed responses to previous posts can compensate by doing your "personal" blog. When it comes time for me to calculate final grades, I will be taking into account the following:

1) Papers (on Postman/Idiocracy, Web page, Streitmatter/Goodnight, and Good Luck, Hamlet's Blackberry)

2) Blog responses (frequency, quality)

3) Class participation (attendance, of course, affects this)

4) Extra credit via personal blog

History Is. . . (Mightier, Chaps. 6-10)

2010-11-11T09:42:00.001-05:00

Relevant? Irrelevant? Using Mightier Than a Sword as a reference, please argue for which every position you believe most. Your response is due by 4 p.m., Monday, Nov. 15.

Mightier Than the Sword (Chaps. 1-5)

2010-11-02T18:36:00.000-04:00

What, in reading about the history of American journalism, surprised you the most? A particular incident? A particular personage? A particular development or trend? Briefly explain why (but in more than one hurried sentence). Please post your response by 4 p.m., Monday, Nov. 8.

I Started a Joke. . . That Went Viral

2010-10-24T22:24:00.002-04:00

For Thursday at 4 p.m., please consult the article below and relate it to Keen's concerns in THE CULT OF THE AMATEUR.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/08/us/08duke.html?emc=eta1

The World (Wide Web) Is Flat

2010-10-14T15:59:00.002-04:00

In his book, Cult of the Amateur, Andrew Keen complains about "a flattening of our culture." What do you think he means by that phrase and why does the phrase -- or, more precisely, what it represents -- seem to scare him so much?

Blog Links

2010-10-04T12:21:00.002-04:00

Please place links to your blogs below. Everyone should follow everyone else's. Thanks!

Amusing Ourselves 3

2010-09-30T12:20:00.000-04:00

Describe what Postman means by the term "information-action ratio." Now answer his question: How often does it occur that news causes you to alter plans, take some action, etc.? (He's not talking about weather or traffic news, but so-called "serious" news, the kind that shows up on the network evening news or the front page of a newspaper or as the lead item on a news Web site.) What does your answer tell you about the nature of what passes for news today? Please respond by 4 p.m, Sunday.

Styles of Navigation

2010-09-19T22:55:00.002-04:00

In his book Media Unlimited, Todd Gitlin identifies several styles of navigating the so-called "media torrent." Which style best describes you? Why? Cite a specific example of your media use (or non-use) for illustration.

Your response is due by 6 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 22.

Amusing Ourselves, Part Deux

2010-09-13T10:55:00.002-04:00

Please follow the link below to a NY Times article;

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/17/arts/television/17kaku.html

In what ways does the substance of the article illustrate Postman's theses? Your response is due by Sunday, Sept. 19, at noon?

Amusing Ourselves to Death, Chaps. 1-3

2010-09-13T07:27:00.002-04:00

After reading the first three chapters of Amusing Ourselves to Death, what would you say is the major premise of Postman's book? Do you find yourself in agreement with it? Why or why not?

Be as specific and concrete as possible in your response (such as by including examples). Please respond by noon, Wednesday, Sept. 15.

Life and Death of American Journalism

2010-09-02T10:19:00.003-04:00

Please read the article linked below:

http://www.inthesetimes.com/community/20questions/6002/robert_mcchesney_and_john_nichols/

Respond to the following questions by 6 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 12:

1) What do McChesney and Nicols see as the causes for the current crisis in journalism?

2) What do they propose as a solution?

3) What do you think of their proposal? Why?

Attention Economy

2010-08-30T00:04:00.005-04:00

According to King and Elliott, what is the major challenge facing the media? Media users? How is it different than challenges facing the media in the past? Do they have a solution? Do you?

Your response is due by 6 p.m., Tuesday, August 31.

Please remember that I accept no late assignments. Refer to the syllabus for more details.

10 Most E-Mailed Stories

2010-08-25T10:41:00.002-04:00

Examine the 10 Most E-Mailed Stories on the New York Times Web site for Friday , August 27. When you consider them as a whole, do any consistent themes or preoccupations (on the part of journalists or readers or both) emerge? What does the list suggest is the primary function of the press in America today (informing, entertaining, rumor-mongering, counseling, editorializing advertising)? How does that make you feel (optimistic, light-headed, despairing) about the direction of the press and the society it serves? Your response is due -- remember, no late responses are given credit -- by noon Sunday, August 29.

(By the way, I added the NPR link to Links of Interest.)

Big News

2010-08-22T09:25:00.002-04:00

What, to your mind, is the biggest issue facing the American press today? Please explain why you think so in a concise paragraph. Your response is due by Tuesday, August 24, at 6 p.m.

Final Exam Question

2009-11-28T11:35:00.003-05:00

In Media Unlimited, Todd Gitlin identifies several different styles of navigating the media torrent.

*Which style best describes you? Are you a fan? A critic? A secessionist? Some other type?

*Offer specific examples of your use of and attitude toward media technologies and productions to support your choice.

*Also say whether you believe your primary style of navigating the media is sufficient to cope with the media torrent and why or why not.

Synthesizing other materials from class -- readings, discussions, presentations -- is helpful, if not essential. Your response, at the very least, should be thoughtful, well organized and clearly phrased.

Your paper should be 3-5 double-spaced pages. A hard copy of it is due by 12:15 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 10.

Feeling Our Way Through the Media Torrent

2009-11-19T07:23:00.001-05:00

In Media Unlimited, Todd Gitlin writes, "Media are occasions for experiences -- experiences that are themselves the main products, the main transactions, the main 'effects' of media. This is the big story; the rest is details." What do you think he means by this? And how is it related to the ideas of Georg Simmel discussed later in the book? Please respond by the start of class Monday, Nov. 23.

Fail

2009-11-16T21:54:00.003-05:00

Would it be good for the world if the Internet suddenly went black and never returned? Why or why not? What would YOU lose? What would YOU gain? Refer to Klosterman's essay for support as necessary.

Please post your response by 4 p.m., Wed., Nov. 18.

Girl Reporter

2009-11-11T07:51:00.003-05:00

As the class handouts indicate, women had second-class status in journalism for most of its history. What does that suggest to you about the relationship of journalism to the rest of American society? By and large, is journalism a progressive influence on society or a reflector and enforcer of society's established beliefs? (And why do you think that is?) How does it make you feel to read about the limits placed on women in earlier eras in journalism? Do you see or sense gender-based limits on women in media professions today? If so, what are they? Please respond by 4 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 15.

Good Night, and Good Luck

2009-10-26T06:56:00.003-04:00

This film recounts the Cold War-era confrontation between CBS newsman Edward R. Murrow and anti-Communist witch-hunter Sen. Joseph McCarthy on a series of historic TV broadcasts. Do the events the film portrays reflect the recurring traits of the news media identified by Rodger Streitmatter in his book, Mightier Than the Sword? (Refer to the last chapter for a summary list of the traits.) Are there analogous events in the history of American journalism, including recent history? Do you believe such events are typical or exceptional for the press (that is, which traits seem to dominate -- courage or cowardice, public service or self-interest)? Explain why.

Your response should take the form of a two-page essay sent to me as a Word or rtf attachment before class on Monday, Nov. 23.

Mightier Than the Sword

2009-10-26T06:54:00.000-04:00

Cult of Amateur 3

2009-10-22T10:31:00.003-04:00

In the final chapter of his book, Keen proposes solutions to the problems he perceives with Web 2.0. Please evaluate his proposed solutions. Do you agree with them? Are they workable? Do you have other and better ideas? Your response is due by 4 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 28.

Cult of Amateur 2

2009-10-15T09:42:00.001-04:00

By 4 p.m. Wed, Oct. 21, each group should post a link that illustrates their assigned position -- that the Web is a bane to culture or that it is a benefit. The group should also explain how the link illustrates their position. Lastly, each group should be prepared to briefly present their case to the class on Thursday, Oct. 22.

Cult of Amateur 1

2009-10-05T16:18:00.001-04:00

In his book, Andrew Keen complains about "a flattening of our culture." What do you think he means by that phrase and why does the phrase -- or, more precisely, what it represents -- seem to scare him so much? Please respond by 6 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 11.

Can the Media Be Fixed?

2009-09-29T22:23:00.000-04:00

In the last few pages of AMUSING OURSELVES TO DEATH, Postman makes several suggestions for fixing the problems represented and created by modern media, particularly TV and computers. Do any of his suggestions strike you as feasible? Which one seems most feasible? Why? Do you have a suggestion of your own? You should. Please respond by noon, Sunday, Oct. 4.

Deep Ecology

2009-09-23T12:20:00.000-04:00

Read the handout from the book Deep Ecology. Now apply the questions it asks of technology to TV. Based on Postman's analysis in Amusing Ourselves. . . and your own experience, does TV meet the criteria for a "fully informed, appropriate technology"? Please post your comments (which should be proofread before posting; sloppy writing is simply unacceptable) by noon, Wednesday, Sept. 29.

Wiki Wacky

2009-09-15T13:01:00.002-04:00

From the list of Wiki topics sent earlier, choose one name. Research who the person is and his or her relation or significance to the media. Write a 100-word biographical blurb on the person and submit it to the Comment section of this post no later than noon, Wednesday, Sept. 23. The person you choose will be the subject of your Wiki entry/project, so please choose well.

Amusing Ourselves to Death, Chaps. 4-6

2009-09-08T23:31:00.004-04:00

Amusing Ourselves to Death, Chaps. 1-3

2009-08-30T14:23:00.001-04:00

After reading the first three chapters of Amusing Ourselves to Death, what would you say is the major premise of Postman's book? Do you find yourself in agreement with it? Why or why not? Be as specific and concrete as possible in your response (such as by including examples). Please respond no latter than noon, Wednesday, Sept. 9.

10 Most E-Mailed Stories

2009-08-23T17:50:00.006-04:00

Examine the 10 Most E-Mailed Stories on the New York Times Web site for Thursday, August 27. When you consider them as a whole, do any consistent themes or preoccupations (on the part of journalists or readers or both) emerge? What does the list suggest is the primary function of the press in America today (informing, entertaining, rumor-mongering, counseling, editorializing advertising)? How does that make you feel (optimistic, light-headed, despairing)? Your response is due -- remember, no late responses are given credit -- by noon Sunday, August 30.

Big News!

2009-08-23T17:45:00.005-04:00

What, to your mind, was the biggest story in the media in the summer of 2009? Please clearly identify the story or coverage you think qualifies and explain why you think so in a concise paragraph.

Your response is due on Wednesday, August 26, by 5 p.m. (Sorry, but no credit will be given for late responses.)

Topic: Final Paper

2008-11-22T18:24:00.003-05:00

Gitlin identifies by name several different ways in which we navigate the media torrent. Which identify best describes or suits you? Why? Be as specific as possible in justifying your choice of identity. Also assess how well your chosen identity allows you to stay afloat in the media torrent.

Media Torrent

2008-11-17T21:38:00.002-05:00

From the introduction to Gitlin's book, would he agree with the professor shattering the cell phone with a hammer or be appalled by it? Or would he think it makes no difference either way? What makes you say so?

The Problem of Journalism History

2008-11-12T14:23:00.004-05:00

What, to your mind, does Nerone identify as the cental problem with journalism history? Does the problem relate to Streitmatter's book, Mightier Than the Sword? Why or why not? Respond prior to class on Monday, Nov. 17.

Good Night, and Good Luck

2008-11-04T10:51:00.003-05:00

This film recounts the Cold War-era confrontation between CBS newsman Edward R. Murrow and demogogic Sen. Joseph McCarthy on a series of historic TV broadcasts. Do the events the film portrays reflect the recurring traits of the news media identified by Rodger Streitmatter in his book, Mightier Than the Sword? (Refer to the last chapter for a summary list of the traits.) Are there analogous events in the history of American journalism? Do you believe such events are typical or exceptional for the press? Explain why.

Your response should take the form of a two-page essay sent to me as a Word or rtf attachment before class on Thursday, Dec. 4.

Mightier Than the Sword

2008-10-29T11:22:00.004-04:00

Locus Novus

2008-10-22T13:06:00.004-04:00

Under "Links," you'll find the site "Locus Novus." Please visit it. Examine one of the hybrid word-image videos posted on the site. Then respond before class on Mon., Oct. 27, to the following question: Does the work you examined contradict or confirm Keen's claim that Web 2.0 is destroying culture with its blatant amateurism and stealth corporatism? Explain your reasoning.

Web 2.0

2008-10-20T10:15:00.004-04:00

Read the handout from the book Deep Ecology. Apply the questions it asks of technology to Web 2.0. Based on Andrew Keen's analysis and/or your own experience, does Web 2.0 meet the critetia for a "fully informed, appropriate technology"? Why or why not? Please post your response by the start of class, Thursday, Oct. 23.

Warning: You must proofread your posts. Sloppy, ungrammatical, incoherent writing is unacceptable.

The Cult of the Amateur

2008-10-13T10:11:00.002-04:00

Pbwiki

2008-10-01T17:36:00.004-04:00

Please examine the pbwiki below (and listed in Links). This is the direction the final project is leaning, though I'm open and even eager for your input as to how the wiki and the assignment might be revised to take advantage of the particular talents and interests of each of you. As I've created user accounts for each student, you should leave comments directly on the wiki's front page by class Monday, Oct. 6, when we'll discuss your ideas.

http://pressinamerica.pbwiki.com

Media Reform

2008-09-30T09:37:00.007-04:00

In the last few pages of Amusing Ourselves to Death, Postman makes several suggestions for fixing the problems represented and created by modern media, particularly TV and computers. Which of his suggestions strike you as most feasible? Why? Do you have any suggestions of your own? You should. Please comment by 10 a.m. Wed., Oct. 8.

Information-Action Ratio

2008-09-18T08:43:00.004-04:00

Describe what Postman means by the term "information-action ratio." Now answer his question: How often does it occur that news causes you to alter plans, take some action, etc.? (He's not talking about weather or traffic news, but so-called "serious" news, the kind that shows up on the network evening news or the pages of a newspaper.) What does your answer tell you about the nature of what passes for news today? (You might recall the Crane poem if that helps or Postman's quotes from Thoreau or watch this music video: http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=PsGwsIlb-Es.)

Portable Electronic Devices

2008-09-15T22:10:00.002-04:00

I want to reiterate something I said in a previous e-mail: keep portable electronic devices out of sight during class time. That was a condition stated at the outset of the class, both by me in person and on the syllabus. If you can't abide by it, please officially withdraw from the class. The use of such devices during class is not only disruptive to teaching and learning, but also personally insulting to me. I do my best to treat students with concern and respect; I expect something of the same in return. If that seems too much to ask -- though, of course, it's not -- then, as I said, please offically witdraw.

Deep Ecology

2008-09-14T23:31:00.006-04:00

Read the handout from the book Deep Ecology. Now apply the questions it asks of technology to Web 2.0. Based on Andrew Keen's analysis in The Cult of the Amateur and/or your own experience, does the Web meet the criteria for a "fully informed, appropriate technology"? Please post your comments (which should be proofread before posting; sloppy writing is simply unacceptable) by the start of class Thursday, Oct. 23.

Is the Daily Show Amusing Us to Death?

2008-09-09T14:41:00.002-04:00

Please discuss by Monday, Sept. 15, whether and how "The Daily Show," as described in the New York Times article and as you have possibly experienced it on TV, confirms, modifies, or refutes Postman's thesis in Amusing Ourselves to Death.

Amusing Ourselves to Death, Chaps. 1-3

2008-09-04T08:04:00.003-04:00

After reading the first three chapters of Amusing Ourselves to Death, what would you say is the major premise of Postman's book? Do you find yourself in agreement with it? Why or why not? Be as specific and concrete as possible in your response (such as by including examples). Please respond no latter than noon, Wednesday, Sept. 9.

"A Newspaper Is a Collection"

2008-08-24T11:24:00.004-04:00

Under "Links" you'll find a poem by Stephen Crane, who's best known as a novelist, but who was also a journalist (and poet), called "A Newspaper Is Collection." What does Crane see as the overriding purpose or purposes of the press? What's his attitude toward how the press of his day -- the poem was written about 1890 -- operates? Is there anything about his description of the press that reminds you of today's media as described by Postman? What in specific? Please respond by noon, Sunday, Oct. 4.

The 10 Most E-Mailed Stories

2008-08-24T10:35:00.004-04:00

Examine the 10 Most E-Mailed Stories on the New York Times Web site. When you consider them as a whole, do any consistent themes or preoccupations (on the part of journalists or readers or both) emerge? What does the list suggest is the primary function of the press in America today? Does that make you feel optimistic or pessimistic about the future of journalism, democracy, the planet, etc.?

The Media Torrent

2007-11-14T09:55:00.000-05:00

Hutchins Commission

2007-09-27T22:55:00.000-04:00

I thought many of the ideas you put forward in class today for reforming the press were intriguing. Of course, recommending government regulation of the media, even in the interest of social responsibility, flies in the face of longstanding libertarian principles. It was, after all, the fear of government censorship and control that led to the First Amendment guarantee of free speech and press in our Constitution. Thus to invite the government to regulate the press if it doesn't or can't regulate itself represents a sharp break with tradition. Yet the Hutchins Commission recommended something very much like that. Commission members also recommended:

1) Non-profit, government-subsided media to supplement the news and entertainment fare of the commercial media, which the commission found to be often shallow and trivial. PBS and NPR are outgrowths or reflections of this recommendation.

2) Better professional training for journalists. The growth in journalism schools and professional development workshops -- for example, those offered to working journalists by the Poynter Institute -- are part of the legacy of that recommendation.

3) A national press council to which complaints about inadequate or unfair press coverage would be brought and by which they would be arbitrated. This was attempted, but never took hold.

4) Self-criticism in the form of press ombudsmen who would cover newspapers and other the media the way they cover government or entertainment or sports. Columbia Journalism Review and American Journalism Review, as well as Howard Kurtz of the Washington Post and similar media critics, fulfill this function today.

Although it's not required, feel free to comment on these recommendations. I'd be interested in reading what you think.

Group Project (aka "The Final")

2007-09-25T15:55:00.000-04:00

Propose a set of reforms for the problems preventing the press from fulfilling its functions under democratic theory. You can draw on Postman, the Hutchins Commission report, and other in-class sources.

You should first define what you see as the major problems affecting the functioning of a socially responsible press, then specify how they might be resolved.

Each group is responsible for an 8-10 page paper, fully footnoted, explaining your recommendations. In addition, the groups will each make a 10-minute in-class presentation on one particular recommendation. The presentation should be accompanied by or accomplished through a video, PowerPoint, or another audio-visual aid.

(Please give your input; I'll revise this with your input in mind.)

Amusing Ourselves to Death

2007-09-05T21:54:00.000-04:00

After reading the first three chapters of "Amusing Ourselves to Death," what would you say is the major premise of Postman's book? For a helpful example or illustration of his premise, you might cut, paste, and check out the link below:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/06/us/politics/06thompson.html

Big News

2007-08-28T13:48:00.000-04:00

What, to your mind, was the biggest media- or press-related news of the summer? Please clearly identify the story you think qualifies and explain why you think so in a concise paragraph.