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What do you want to learn in this course? Why is this course interesting to you? What topic(s) are you most excited about? (1 paragraph, ~5 sentences)

I want to learn the impact of media on peoples perceptions of wars. Learning about the impact of media on war efforts is fascinating. Our modern wars are heavily influenced by media and propaganda. I want to understand to what extent peoples perceptions and willingness to go to war is actually produced from their media consumption. The topic I am most excited for is during week #4 and is 'Audience Studies I: Theories of Media Effects.'

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Which theory of media effects addressed in our reading this week most corresponds with your own view(s) and why? If none do, say that and explain why they conflict with your own perspective(s). Support with reference to an example. (2 paragraphs)

Agenda Setting Theory most corresponds to my own views. As an urban studies student I research and learn about the operation of cities. In one geography class I read a paper about crime rates in cities. Interestingly, the perceived crime rate of residents was higher than the actual crime rate. The paper concluded that this was from the focus of news reports on crime.

This aligns well with the Agenda Setting Theory. This theory states that "news does not tell people what to think, but does tell them what to think about" (Thrift, 2023). There is also a "correlation between the issues news media reported on and the perceived importance of those stories by the consuming public" (Thrift, 2023). This perfectly represents what was seen with the perceived crime rates. The news has a large impact on what people think about that can manifest itself with real world implications. The higher perceived crime rates of the city led to more individuals moving to gated communities with higher security measures.

Thrift, S. (2023). Coms 201. University of Calgary. Calgary.

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Pay attention to your news consumption this week. What are your primary sources of news and how do you assess their credibility?

My primary sources of news come from Instagram and Snapchat. Usually, stories popup on my suggested pages and I will look at them briefly. If I have an interest in the story or I want to double check the factuality, I will research it more. This will bring me to reputable news websites like CBC, CNN, and the BBC. I take news that I see on social media with a grain of salt until I fact check it and find other reputable sources reporting the same thing.

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This week, pay attention to the number of different ways in which you are subject to surveillance, whether through tracking apps, information gathering algorithms, CCTV, or other means. Is this more or less than you were expecting? Do you think it is accurate to say we live in a “panoptic society”? Why or why not? (2 paragraphs)

Yes, I expected to be surveyed as much as I am. Private cameras have never been easier to purchase. Doorbell cameras, dashcams, and security cameras are everywhere. All of this is coupled with government surveillance online and in person. Learning about and observing the different types of tracking is quite worrying. Whether I am at home in the privacy of my own house, or walking around downtown, I am being observed in many different forms.

We do live in a panoptic society. A panoptic society regulates citizens behavior through the constant threat of surveillance. Social institutions establish norms and people operate within these norms "so as to not appear abnormal and risk consequences" (Thrift, 2023). Since surveillance is so prominent and obvious, people know they are being surveilled. After the Snowden leaks the knowledge of online government surveillance was finally revealed. This knowledge of constant surveillance regulates behavior and truly shows we live in a panoptic society.

Thrift, S. (2023). Coms 201. University of Calgary. Calgary.

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How does the political activism of Harry Potter fans illustrate a key idea from reception studies? According to Rosenberg’s article, why do some pop culture texts inspire fans to engage in real world activism? (2-3 paragraphs)

Reception analysis looks to study an audiences interpretation of media and how that media use fits into the audiences everyday lives (Thrift, 2023). Peoples identities and their location "within a broader society influences their selection and interpretation of media" (Thrift, 2023). Fan studies look at audiences and try to understand their passionate attachments to media texts. Some of these attachments to media texts encourage fans to engage in real world activism known as fan activism.

In Rosenberg's (2015) article it is said that in order to change the world we must first be able to imagine a better world. Harry Potter does an excellent job at showing a group of youth battling and eventually overcoming evil. This fictional battle can easily be applied to real world struggles and demonstrates to youth their ability to create lasting change on the world. Harry Potter also provides the Harry Potter Alliance with guiding "principles but leaves them to act for themselves" (Rosenberg, 2015). This means that the movement leader and books author, J.K. Rowling, does not need to have day-to-day responsibilities and the loose framework can be applied to numerous real world issues.

Rosenberg, A. (2015). How Harry Potter fans won a four-year fight against child slavery.  Washington Post.

Thrift, S. (2023). Coms 201. University of Calgary. Calgary.

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As noted in this week’s reading and lecture, representations are polysemic. Select a magazine cover, print advertisement, or advocacy campaign image. How many different meanings can be taken from the ad? Identify and (convincingly!) explain 2-3 different meanings conveyed by your chosen media example. (2-3 paragraphs)

In the campaign poster the earth is depicted in two halves, one being luscious and green and the other being polluted and brow. The slogan "global warming is not cool" is displayed on the polluted half. The slogan and poster can be interpreted in multiple ways.

Meaning #1:

The poster can be interpreted in a social and cultural way. Saying global warming is not cool shows that its not popular. Global warming is not a hip or good thing. Its inferred that leading a green and environmentally conscious lifestyle can elevate your social status.

Meaning #2:

The poster can be interpreted in a literal and physical way. Saying global warming is not cool shows that it is literally hot. As climate change takes effect the worlds temperature will increase. Global warming is quite literally not cool.

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This week, we considered how societal context and technological innovations are interrelated, carrying lasting impacts on culture broadly. Consider how media have played a central role in defining and affirming a distinct national identity in Canada, from its early days as a British colony. What were two ways in which colonial media systems helped construct ”Canadian” identity? (2-3 paragraphs)

The railway enabled communication across vast distances and was completed in 1885. "The railway connected the land and created communication routes across Canada's vast geography" (Thrift, 2023). This provided a route for mail, telegraph, people, goods, and information to travel across the country. This created a regional and national consciousness among the citizens of Canada (Thrift, 2023).

The 1932 Broadcasting Act built a Canadian media system to forge and protect Canadian identity (Thrift, 2023). A national communication infrastructure an accompanying policies were made a federal priority. The ability to communicate information, entertainment, and ideas to a dispersed population builds community across vast distances and fosters a national view point (Thrift, 2023). This broadcasting act created the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). The CBC produces and shows programming that is Canadian in content and character (Thrift, 2023).

Thrift, S. (2023). Coms 201. University of Calgary. Calgary.

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Design a culture jam such as a subvertisement that subverts or disrupts corporate advertising. Include an explanation of your culture jam, including the reason behind your choice and the issues raised by your culture jam. (2 paragraphs + image of the culture jam)

In my subvertisement I would replace the "Forever 21" on the billboard with "Forever Fast" to highlight Forever 21's practice of fast fashion. Fast fashion is a method of producing and marketing large volumes of clothing that capitalizes on trends. The clothing is typically of poor quality and inexpensive for consumers. The clothing industry is focused on consumption. Today, brands can produce as many as 52 micro-seasons and trends a year (Stanton, 2023).

Fast fashion is dangerous for workers, the environment, consumers, and animals. Toxic chemicals and synthetic fibers leak into water supplies and 11 million tons of clothing is thrown out in the U.S. alone (Stanton, 2023). These clothes are manufactured in sweatshops where workers are exploited. These chemicals are also exposed to the workers and consumers. The practice of fast fashion has detrimental impacts that must be addressed.

Stanton, A. (2023, February 3). What is fast fashion, anyway? The Good Trade. Retrieved April 12, 2023, from https://www.thegoodtrade.com/features/what-is-fast-fashion/

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What purpose(s) does communication and media policy serve? What purpose(s) has it served in the Canadian context, specifically? (2 - 3 paragraphs)

Communication and media policy is created by regulatory bodies and governments to ensure that media works for citizens, society, content creators, and media owners (Thrift, 2023). This policy is a by-product of globalization and increased contact between different peoples, companies, and governments (Thrift, 2023). These policies prevent media imperialism and helps recognize intellectual property.

Policy in Canada is driven by the need to balance "individual and collective needs, and universal principals and national and regional exigencies" (Thrift, 2023). Canada has a small but extremely diverse population that has a larger influence from the US with extreme regionalism and linguistical differences (Thrift, 2023). Canadian media policy is continuing influenced as a response to U.S. media giants exerting influence on the Canadian mediascape, the diversity of the Canadian population, and the global circulation of digital communications (Thrift, 2023). Royal Commissions on media policy have helped to shape media policy in Canada.

The Aird Report resulted in broadcasting that was distinctively Canadian in response to radio waves filled with U.S. channels. The Aird Report resulted in the creation of the Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission (CRBC). This was similar to the Massey-Levesque Commission that looked to promote Canadian arts and culture to protect democracy over concerns of U.S. cultural imperialism. The Applebaum-Herbert Commission created a federal ministry of culture and established the Contemporary Arts Centre. This was in response to the economic recession and an interest in ways to reduce spending on culture.

Thrift, S. (2023). Coms 201. University of Calgary. Calgary.