Mass Communication: Living in a Media World
Instructor Resources
Web Exercises
Web exercises direct both instructors and students to useful and current web resources, along with creative activities to extend and reinforce learning.
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Chapter 1: Media World
A discussion of why Twitter is more effective in delivering breaking news, using the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, MO as an example.
When transgressive media becomes mainstream
An interview with filmmaker John Waters, who talks about his films and discusses shifts in gay culture. Read and discuss as it relates to this topic in the textbook: “Secret 3: Everything from the margin moves to the center.”
An exploration of how a community of African-American Twitter users emerged. Read and discuss this article using the context of the transmission model, especially the message and how messages are encoded.
Chapter 2: Mass Communication Effects: How Society and Media Interact
“The Medium Is The Message” 50 years later
Marshall McLuhan’s assertion that the channel becomes part of the message is examined in a contemporary context.
“Mean World Syndrome” and CNN single story focus
Cable news channel CNN dedicated significant airtime to the 2014 disappearance of Malaysia Airlines MH370. Watch this video and discuss whether CNN overdid the coverage. How does the coverage of this story tie in with “mean world syndrome?”
“Spiral of Silence” and social media
Discuss instances where you refrained from online comment when you held a minority view.
Chapter 3: Media Business
The text discusses the growth and evolution of national news over the years; CBS is now expanding its offerings to include CBSN, which streams live news online. Using textbook material to support your answers, discuss the reasons why you think CBS decided to launch this channel.
“The Bachelor” and Disney Synergy
The text identifies Disney as a company that focuses on synergy. This is a clip from ABC’s “Good Morning America,” which often features segments promoting other ABC shows and other Disney properties. Is the relationship between properties clear to viewers?
The text mentions the News of the World hacking scandal. Drawing upon information from this section, discuss Sony’s 2014 scandal involved foreign countries and the President of the United States. Discuss the reasons for the scandal and the impact it had on Sony’s movie business.
Chapter 4: Books
What the e-book market offers writers
How has the e-book market made publishing more accessible? Discuss the benefits of e-book publishing for writers. Are there similarities to the “long tail” concept?
Read this essay and discuss the importance of a “popular” book versus a “good” book. This essay says that “power is in the hands of the readers.” Do you agree?
From printing press to e-readers
After reading this article, discuss the writer’s statements about the similarities and differences between the printing press and the Internet.
Artist finds success with children’s books
The author of Diary of a Wimpy Kid found success in books for children and young adults, a profitable market segment for books in recent years.
Chapter 5: Magazines
New magazine launch in uncertain market
Hearst announced plans to launch a new title. Many recent titles, like the Dr. Oz magazine Hearst launched in 2014, focus on a recognizable media figure. Is this a case of “synergy,” or a way to use a lifestyle brand to sell magazines?
Kim Kardashian “breaks Internet” with racy magazine cover
The magazine Paper created controversy by featuring racy cover photos of Kim Kardashian, including a photo showing her partially nude. The photos elicited a media firestorm of controversy. Did the cover “break the Internet” and get more attention for the article?
Newsweek, a long-running weekly news magazine, became an online-only magazine in 2012, and was relaunched as a print magazine in 2014. How does this story reflect the changing business models of news media?
Seismic changes at The New Republic
The 100-year old New Republic made news of its own in 2014 when the publisher, Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes, dramatically reshaped the magazine. Many of the publication’s writers and editors resigned in protest. What do you think of Chris Hughes’s argument and the protestors’ arguments? What do you think are some of the best practices for a long-running publication to evolve as new media?
Chapter 6: Newspapers
The text mentions Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’s purchase of The Washington Post. This analysis of the Post suggests that Bezos’s ownership has had a positive effect. What are the positives and negatives of business mogul ownership of news media, as discussed in this article?
This article talks about “hyperlocal” news sites, which focus on small areas -- as small as a neighborhood. How are the hyperlocal sites similar to the historical “penny press” papers?
Reporter dies in the line of duty
The text references “Patriotism and the Press.” This article discusses the death of journalist James Foley in Syria. Discuss the risks faced by journalists and their role in maintaining freedom and promoting patriotism.
Chapter 7: Audio: Music and Talk Across Media
This essay compares terrestrial radio (AM and FM) with online music and podcasts. Discuss the pros and cons of each format, and who uses each format to access content.
Chapter 7 of the text mentions piracy. Read this post by David Lowery, the founding member of bands Cracker and Camper van Beethoven. Lowery was responding to NPR intern Emily White, who said she hadn’t paid for any of the songs in her 11,000 song library. Do you agree or disagree with Emily White or David Lowery? Why?
Vinyl and cassette tapes make a comeback
Recording formats thought to be obsolete -- vinyl and cassette tapes -- are enjoying a renaissance among collectors. Read these links and discuss why collectors might find these formats attractive.
After reading this link, discuss how “the long tail” (as discussed in Chapter 4) might make the music industry more accessible to artists who are just launching their careers or artists with a limited focus or appeal.
Chapter 8: Movies
This article discusses the death of a production assistant on an independent film. Can smaller films, with limited funding and small crews, maintain safety protocols?
A look at the Library of Congress and its film preservation site. What challenges do older films face in preservation? Why is preservation culturally important?
When theater chains were reluctant to play “The Interview,” Sony bypassed those theaters and offered the movie online. Will this set a precedent for future releases?
Chapter 9: Television
Essay on Shonda Rhimes creates controversy
A New York Times journalist referred to the Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal creator, mentioned in this chapter of your text, as an “angry black woman” in an opinion essay. Read and discuss the essay and a response to the essay published by Slate.
A look back at The Colbert Report, which ended in December 2014. The show, which parodied current events and public figures, was often cited as a source for news for younger viewers. Discuss why the show’s comic approach might be an effective tool for sharing information.
Saturday Night Live and diversity
The sketch program addresses criticism about the diversity of its cast. For several years, black female characters were played by male cast member Kenan Thompson.
Chapter 10: The Internet
The Internet, especially social media, had a role in sharing the aftermath of the shooting of Michael Brown on an international scale. The lead prosecutor in the case called social media a “challenge.” What does the article say are the benefits to social media in cases like Ferguson?
GamerGate and online communities
This article discusses the history of the GamerGate hashtag and subsequent controversy, where tensions between online communities’ critics resulted in threats to several critics of the gamer culture. Discuss what role anonymity played in this event.
Aaron Swartz and the hacker ethic
This article discusses the work of Internet activist Aaron Swartz. Discuss the conflict between the goal of “open access” and the restrictions placed on archival sites like JSTOR.
Chapter 11: Advertising
The article discusses the long-running Progressive ad character “Flo,” as well as gender in ads and how the portrayal of women in advertising is changing. Is a recurring spokesperson in an ad more likely to make you purchase an item?
Job website and Super Bowl ads
The job search site CareerBuilder.com has advertised during the Super Bowl over the last several years. What message do companies like CareerBuilder want to send to consumers with Super Bowl advertising?
This article explores the pluses and minuses of smartphone advertising to advertisers and consumers. Does an advertiser’s access to your data -- even something as general as the local weather -- feel intrusive?
Chapter 12: Public Relations
This attempt to generate positive PR for Cosby via a social media campaign backfired. Read and discuss the Cosby controversy in the context of crisis management.
A Belgian chocolate maker and a mobile app are just two entities forced to change their name to avoid confusion with the extremist terrorist group ISIS. Do you think it is a necessary step to change names or an overreaction?
Read and discuss this article about Starbucks’ policy on guns. The article mentions that prior to its press announcement, the chain had been identified as a place that was welcoming to gun owners.
Chapter 13: Media Law
Lawmaker: I’ll sue if you print my name in the newspaper
A Maryland lawmaker told a local newspaper that he would sue them if they mentioned his name in print without his permission.
Facebook, copyrights and your content
Facebook users have posted legal disclosures on their pages, claiming that the notices counteract Facebook’s ownership of their content. Read and discuss what Facebook does and does not own, and what it can and cannot claim under copyright.
Illinois journalist faces jail time for protecting sources
Joseph Hosey, a reporter for hyperlocal news site Patch, faces fines for failing to disclose a source used when he reported on two people being murdered. Does the shield law protect Hosey in this case?
Chapter 14: Media Ethics
This article examines the relationship between media organizations and transgender people. The Associated Press Style Guide indicates that news stories should refer to a person by the gender with which they identify, but several news outlets have not done so.
In 2014, a number of major public relations firms joined together to indicate support for an ethics policy regarding PR firms and Wikipedia. The two camps had been in conflict, with ethical questions about PR teams updating Wikipedia articles, which are intended to be informative and neutral.
Chapter 15: Global Media
Marshall McLuhan and the global village
The “global village,” mentioned in this chapter, was a concept of media philosopher Marshall McLuhan. Watch this 1960 video clip and discuss what topics remain relevant to viewers more than 50 years later.
Arab Spring: An uprising goes global
This article discusses how the Arab Spring uprisings became global news. Read and discuss. How have news events in the United States, like mass school shootings, also “gone global?”
Even as global media pushes for synergy, content is often still limited to a specific country. The U.S. sees a limited amount of content from fellow English-speaking countries like Canada and the UK. What might be some of the reasons for this limited access?