For this media content analysis, you will submit a 3-to-5 page paper, double-spaced with 1-inch margins and typed in Microsoft Word. Note: Microsoft Office, which includes Word, is available for free on the DCCCD website. If your paper is only 3 pages, it must be 3 FULL pages. Not meeting the minimum word length will result in an automatic loss of 75 points before the content is graded. Safe Assign will check for plagiarism, so make sure all sources are properly cited and any direct quotes are placed in quotation marks. You do not have to use APA or MLA style, but you must cite your sources in the paper. Plagiarizing on the paper will result in a zero and will significantly affect your grade. Late papers will not be accepted.

Assignment
Using and DEMONSTRATING the media literacy skills you have gained in this class, choose ONE of the following topics and write a 3 to 5-page content analysis.

IMPORTANT: You must include at least one of the MEDIA theories discussed in Chapter 13, and it must be applied correctly, so make sure you understand these theories. The theories deal with the effect of the media on the audience, not with the characters in the media content you are analyzing. Please email me with any questions.

1. Watch at least 3 episodes of a television showand observe how the show portrays race, gender, and/or sexuality. Are there stereotypes present? (Think grammar, syntax, dress, behavior, occupation, etc.) How are women and minorities (racial, sexual orientation, handicapsetc.) portrayed? What encoded messages does this send the audience? What values are promoted? Give specific examples from the show. Be sure to note what is significant about your findings and point out both the positive and negative implications of how the show’s creators handle these topics. Do you think these portrayals can influence viewers? If so, how?

OR

2. Listen to an entire CD and/or watch several videos by one music artistand observe how race, gender, and/or sexuality are portrayed. Are there stereotypes present? (Think grammar, syntax, dress, behavior, occupation, etc.) How are women and minorities (racial, sexual orientation, etc.) portrayed? What encoded messages does this send the audience? What values are promoted? Give specific examples and techniques from the lyrics and video images. Be sure to note what is significant about your findings and point out both the positive and negative implications of how the artist handle these topics. Do you think these portrayals can influence listeners/viewers? If so, how?

OR

3. Play a video game for several hoursand observe how the game portrays race, gender, violence, and/or sexuality. Are there stereotypes present? (Think grammar, syntax, dress, behavior, occupation, etc.) How are women and minorities (racial, sexual orientation, etc.) portrayed? What encoded messages does this send the audience? What values are promoted? Give specific examples from thegameplay. Be sure to note what is significant about your findings and point out both the positive and negative implications of how the game’s creators handle these topics. Do you think these portrayals can influence viewers? If so, how?
   NOTE: Do not do your paper on Grand Theft Auto, since we have already discussed it in this class.

OR

4. Watch a movieand observe how it portrays race, gender and/or sexuality. Are there stereotypes present? (Think grammar, syntax, dress, behavior, occupation, etc.) How are women and minorities (racial, sexual orientation, disabilities, etc.) portrayed? What encoded messages does this send the audience? What values are promoted? Give specific examples from the movie. Be sure to note what is significant about your findings and point out both the positive and negative implications of how the director handles these topics. Do you think these portrayals can influence viewers? If so, how?
   Note: Do not analyze the same movie you watched for the product placement assignment.

Grading Breakdown

Overall Content and Tone: 100 points.
This includes the use of specific examples from the media you are analyzing and information that you have learned in the course. This is an academic paper and should provide a thoughtful analysis of media content in language that is appropriate for an academic paper. Avoid slang and overly informal language.