Week 4: Fun Day!

Yes, the day has finally come. The day you've all been waiting for--Fun Day! We're going to start off with a delicious potluck as well as some games (media-free) so we can have some fun and get to know the class better. The other half will be a period of brain-storming and group formations for the final project.

For details regarding the final project, check out the course syllabus.

Look out for an e-mail reminder regarding food for the potluck!

Have a great week,
Carlton

Barbie Article

Hey guys,

Here is a link to the article I was telling you about during class last week. The author discusses the fears her mother had about her playing with Barbie, and the concerns the author has about similar influences on her daughter. The link also has information about the audio clip we listened to in class.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5595146
(Scroll to the bottom to find the Barbie article).

See you tomorrow as we discuss New Media!
Laura

Recap and New Media Homework

Hello Folks,

It's me, David, on here tonight updating our blog. After talking with Laura and Carlton tonight, we all agreed how much we enjoyed having all of you in our DeCal and hearing your different perspectives. It should be an enjoyable and thought-provoking semester!

Anyway, here are the homework questions due next class, which will cover New Media:

1.) Discuss how a particular form of New Media (Facebook/Myspace, email, AIM, iPod, etc.,) shapes your identity online. How is this online "identity" the same or different from your identity in the real world? And only if you want to get a little deeper, you can ask how the medium itself already has certain limitations and expectations built in? (Ex., Myspace Top 8 friends = you can only choose eight close friends as your favorite, etc.)

2.) Has New Media had a positive or negative effect on your friendships/relationships? Give some examples.

As always, the papers only have to be one page double-spaced. Try to have fun with it and see if there are some new and creative ideas you can explore about New Media for next class discussion.

Take care and all the best,

David

Children and Media Homework

Hi,

We hope you had a fun experience this past Monday! Our next class will be on Children and Media!

For homework, please write one page double-spaced reflection on these two questions:

1. Describe your interactions with media as a child.
2. Would you characterize these interactions as positive or negative?

Also, please read this article before the start of next week's class:

That's it! Have a great week!

Week 1: Introduction and Ice-Breakers

Hi everyone!

Class begins today (9/10) at 5pm in 170 Barrows! We'll have a time of introduction, an overview of the class, and getting to know one another. Hope to see you all there!