Portfolio Assignment
The final Portfolio Project for this course requires that students select and critically evaluate a research topic. The purpose of this assignment is to provide an opportunity to synthesize many of the issues about the sociology of media discussed throughout the modules and in the textbook.
For the portfolio project, choose a media text to analyze. A media text includes:
Television show
News event
Film or film franchise
Radio show or even radio format
Magazine
Book franchise
Video game franchise
Advertising campaign
Social networking used for activism (e.g., Flashmobbing)
Twitter used for newsgathering
The purpose of your final paper is to critically evaluate a mass media text by applying at least three or more of the major issues or concepts explored by the textbook and course content. These issues or concepts include:
Economics of the production and distribution of the media text
Laws and policies that regulate the production and distribution of the media text
Ways in which structural power constrains individuals and institutions that produce the media text
Ways in which dominant ideologies are transmitted by the media text
Opportunities that exist for individuals and audiences to use the media text in unintended ways
Influence of technology in the production and distribution of the media text
Issues that arise when the media text is distributed globally
A recommended organization of your paper should include:
Thesis paragraph
Description of the media text
Description of the focus of your paper
Application of the concepts/issues
Critical analysis of the text in light of the application of the concepts/issues
Engagement of possible solutions to a problem or problems (if applicable)
Your well-written paper should also meet the following requirements:
8-10 pages
Double-spaced
Formatted according to the APA
Including a minimum of three outside sources, citing in proper APA style.
