COMS 201 by Mimi

Week 1: Course Introduction

ayomideakinbile — 2023-09-07 18:36:21 UTC

In this course I hope to learn the impact communication has on influencing media, as well as the importance of the various forms or communication. This course is interesting to me because a) it is an intro to my major and b) learning different ways to relate and use that communication and media analysis skill. It is also interesting to me because I hope to work in the UN in future and having a media and communication background in connection with my IR major, will help me relate globally or gain a global experience. The topics I am most excited about are Representation, meaning and media content & advertising and brand culture. I am interested in these topics because I am curious as to how media can be interpreted and the motivations behind certain brand images.

Week 2: History of Media

ayomideakinbile — 2023-09-13 18:48:10 UTC

In terms of how media has played a central role in defining and affirming a distinct national identity in Canada, from its early days as a British Colony up till now, the identity in which Canada has transformed from the early days view different platforms. Media has changed the way we view Canada as a nation, whether economically, socially or culturally. Before listing two ways in which colonial media systems helped construct the Canadian identity, the question we should determine is what is the "Canadian'' identity? Canada can be defined as a multicultural nation where people from all over can practice and be themselves while still being Canadian citizen. Essentially the identity in which Canada holds is one of multiculturalism with benefits of foreign advantages like healthcare, great job opportunities and protection from the government.

In other words, the railway was to bind the country into a cohesive political economic unit with a "ribbon of steel" (Gasher et al, 2020, p. 48)

One way in which colonial media systems helped construct this "Canadian" identity is the completion of the transcontinental railway, which illustrated the effect of transportation as a means of communicating between regions. As stated in the above quote, this means of media system portrayed Canada as a unifying nation that lacked its embrace for various cultures even though it is defined a multicultural nation now.

"Broadcasting in the 1930s was envisioned as bringing the country together through a common Canadian consciousness or perspective on the world" (Gasher et al, 2020, p. 48)

The other way in which colonial media systems helped construct this "Canadian" identity is broadcasting. As stated in the above quote broadcasting was "envisioned" to pass the message across the nation on what Canadian Identity is to limit the influx of American content. It was used to differentiate American content from Canadian content, in order for the "consciousness" of Canadians to be less plagiarized or bias about foreign content and more open to theirs. In other words, to prevent the process of brainwashing or culture stripping, the broadcasting system was put in place in order for all Canadians to access their own heritage and own it rather than be influenced by other countries and their cultures.

References:

Gasher, M., Skinner, D., & Coulter, N. (2020a). Media and Communication in Canada: Networks, Culture, Technology, Audiences. (ninth edition) Oxford University Press.

Week 3: Representation, Meaning, and Media Content

ayomideakinbile — 2023-09-13 18:51:08 UTC

The title of the ad is Silk and the theme it seems to portray is a milk advert, slogan such as Strength in Every Pour. The denotative meaning behind the ad can be seen through the cartoon of milk, the class cup, the chocolate color, the blue background, the cursive writing of the brand name, the contrast of bolded and regular letters. Essentially the denotative meaning just shows the company Silk, advertising chocolate milk.

The connotative meaning of the ad can be seen through the cone of ice cream that is formed when pouring the milk, showing the possibilities of the milk as a whole. Essentially meaning that it can be used for ice cream, you can enjoy it on a hot day, it is a better substitute than regular milk. They chose simple colors to illustrate the simplicity of the advert, and its appeal to consumers. With its chocolate favor it shows that there are different flavors for different kinds of people.

Reference

https://naotw-pd.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/aotw_card_ir/s3/images/Silk_Vanilla.jpg?itok=sJUKohCJ

Week 4: Audience Studies 1 = Theories of Media Effects

ayomideakinbile — 2023-09-13 18:51:26 UTC

A theory of media effects addressed in our reading that corresponds with my own views would be "cultivation theory". According to the notes it "originated in the study of television content and its impact on viewers". The central claim of this theory is that "television cultivates a view of social reality that is inaccurate, but viewers nonetheless assume it reflects real life." I agree with this claim because as viewers often viewing things on tv such as adverts or shows with a certain ideology tend to influence or impact our daily lives. especially in the world we live in today with the advent of social media or portable televisions on the go, we are more susceptible to such ads affecting our reality.

An example from our notes would be the 'mean world syndrome,' meaning that a television program or ad that promotes violence will lead to a reality where the world is a dangerous and threatening place. Another example from my perspective would be cosmetic or food ads on tv. Cosmetic ads that appeal to our beauty standards tend to attract viewers to that brand, in which they spend a lot of money and have that belief that it is what makes them whole. On the other hand, is the food ads that attract consumers to eat or buy their food brands because they have bought into the belief that it completes their culinary experience.

References:

Thrift, S. (2023).
Audience Studies 1 - Media effects [PowerPoint Slides]. D2L.
https://d2l.ucalgary.ca/d2l/le/content/542561/Home

Week 9: Theories of Technological Innovation = Promise And Pitfalls

ayomideakinbile — 2023-09-13 18:51:35 UTC

After paying attention to the number of different ways in which I was surveilled, I think it was less than I was expecting because I have a knowledge of tracking applications and software, as well as CCTVs and more. Both my aunt and dad work in the tech industry and warn me on several occasions to be wary of such surveillance. In a sense, I feel like I am used to being watched and have learnt to adapt my behavior to societal eyes and pressures. Which then answers the question of us living in a "panoptic society," that it is accurate to say we live in such a society.

I believe this is accurate because we learn to adapt and behave differently when we know we are being watched consciously or subconsciously. We tend to conform to social norms, especially with the rise of social media and how fast news travels through that medium. People tend to be cautious of trying not to be the next meme or behaving inappropriately in public for fear of being caught or shamed publicly. Also, the fear of being caught doing something bad, continuously has the effect of making you feel guilty and on guard, leading to a control of actions in public or even in private due to the consequences.

Week 12: News Making

ayomideakinbile — 2023-09-13 18:52:03 UTC

My primary source of news is either the New York Times or social media, such as Instagram and X. If I want Canadian News I listen to the radio, as my primary source of keeping me updated on what goes on within the country. Both the New York times and the radio are credible in the sense that seasoned journalists and editors have gone over the news countless times to make sure they produced accurate information for listeners and readers. They take their time to write these pieces in which they know will either capture readers attention or have gone through various sources to find out the truth before reporting on the radio. They believe it is their job to update the public on the various issues of the world, so they can't misinterpret or report false news. Whereas social media on the other hand is less credible. With its growth, news gets out faster to the public but it's hard to which is the truth when there are various versions of the same truth. It is hard to tell whether its credible or not unless you know of a trusted news outlet that is reporting through this medium but even in that respect everyone is trying to gain as much viewership as possible, they don't proofread what they send out.

Week 10: Communication and the State = Media Policy

ayomideakinbile — 2023-09-13 18:52:10 UTC

Media policy is important because it helps us understand the background or framework of the decision-making process that led to policies, laws regulations being made that shape our ideas about the purpose of communication and how we communicate. (Thrift, slide 6). The purpose it had served is that it has created media communication in which we are able to communicate on a global scale or international scale where we gain knowledge across borders. According to the quote below about media communications, it seems it serves the purpose of guiding ideals and public pressures allowing for effective communication globally that created an understanding amongst different people.

...take place in a constructed environment, informed by communication technologies, but also by laws, policies, conventions, economic imperatives, guiding ideals, and public pressures.” (Gasher et al., 2020, p. 171).

In the Canadian context, it seems that media policy serves the purpose of promoting Canadian culture, preserving the interest of the state, rejecting private interest determining/ commercializing Canadian cultural products and resisting the cultural force of the United States. Through policies such as the Applebaum-Hebert report, the Massey report and the Aird report in connection with the Royal Commision, it has served its purpose in the global circulation of Canadian cultural and what it means for them to be a nation of its own without external influences and control.

References:

Thrift, S. (2023).
Audience Studies 1 - Media Policy [PowerPoint Slides]. D2L.
https://d2l.ucalgary.ca/d2l/le/content/542561/Home

Gasher, M., Skinner, D., & Coulter, N. (2020a). Media and Communication in Canada: Networks, Culture, Technology, Audiences. (ninth edition) Oxford University Press.

Week 14: Course Wrap Up.

ayomideakinbile — 2023-09-13 18:52:17 UTC

Through each journal entry done for each topic discussed in class, there were various topics I have come to understand better, topics I have never heard of before I got to know, and one that I did know I gained new understandings. The most compelling or the most important thing I learned this semester within the topic of advertising and brand culture. That had to be the most interesting and compelling topic because it discussed 'brand nirvana', 'commodity fetishism,' 'brand-based investigative activism' and 'silent censorship', things I had never heard before but gave me insight to the lengths companies would go to advertise their products. This topic gave me insight to the impact branding had on consumers, as well as its effect on them as advertisers as well.

One content in this course that challenged what I thought I knew about communication and media studies was the representation, meaning and media course where we discussed the encoding/decoding model and semiotics. After that topic I began to look at things differently and began to really think about communications and media in a different perspective. For me, media and communication were about what you say and convey to the public, but after that topic I began to see that consumers had to understand the hidden messages behind what is actually represented. In order to gain a full understanding of something, you have to view it from all angles not what is presented in front of your very eyes. I was actually glad that topic came about because I gained a new appreciation for the course.

This course has impacted my approach to communication and media in my own life by allowing me to be more alert to ads, as well as news in general. When watching and listening to the news, I break down and decipher the content to gain a full understanding of what is actually happening rather than listening to what I am being fed. And with ads or commercials or even shows I watch; I tend to be a bit more critical of the ideology or messages they try to convey to see whether it will impact my reality consciously or subconsciously. I think at the end of the day, the course has helped me gain a new appreciation for understanding the rise of technology and its impact on my life whether I knew it or not.

Week 7: Advertising and Brand Culture

ayomideakinbile — 2023-09-13 18:52:23 UTC

After viewing the "No Logo" documentary in class, I learnt that advertising and brand culture is a major thing for global companies as well as the effect it has on viewers/ consumers is huge. Klein talks about three forces providing the cultural context for anti-consumer, anti-corporate resistance movements in the 1990s and 2000s which she calls "no logo." These forces are known as globalization, branding and media marketing, in which these forces helped create original brands that sent a message of consistency and quality assurance to consumers, create a relationship through branding as a promise and finally building customer loyalty.

The most compelling thing I learnt from the documentary was the town of celebration in Florida that she termed 'brand nirvana.' I found this interesting that things there were brandless, meaning that there was a dream world of a town that completed the American dream in which no competing messages were synergizing the perfect dream world. This leads to one of the concepts raised in the film that was discussed in class which is advertising as an economic system. They advertised the American dream by creating consumer awareness and the demand for products and services were supplied. Therefore, within this system, audiences are being sold to advertisers through branding and advertisements.

Finally, brand culture has not really changed in the years since the documentary, although they have become more creative and appealing with the advent increase of technology such as social media. The consumerist ideology that allows companies to take advantage of consumer capitalism is still evident today and the sense of branding that allows for a powerful and persuasive connection between audiences and advertisers is what makes it ideal.

References:

Thrift, S. (2023).
Audience Studies 1 - Advertising and Branding [PowerPoint Slides]. D2L.
https://d2l.ucalgary.ca/d2l/le/content/542561/Home