Reflection

4 Dec

Prior to taking this course I had a more narrow understanding of the ways in which media actually portrayed and shaped individuals identity. Through out this semester my eyes have been opened to how complex this subject is. I have gained new perspectives on different dimensions of media that I never even knew existed. We read a wide variety of articles and research papers, which really helped me to see things from different views.

In this course we learned that news and media tell us what to think about, not necessarily what opinion to hold. However, I personally believe the news and media needs to take more responsibility for what the public ends up believing. When people are only exposed to one side of the story or issue, they are quick to accept it without doing the research themselves.

Throughout the semester we covered the negative and the positive aspects of media. I really enjoyed working on the pro-social project. The project engaged my creative side and allowed me to incorporate what we learning. I had a great time getting to know my classmates and listening to the different ideas people came up with. This course was overall very informational and rewarding.

Reflection

4 Dec

I originally signed up for this course because I needed the credit. I read the description for the class and it sounded interesting, but was still unsure of what to expect from the class. The material was a variety of things, it was interesting, depressing at times, unsettling, and intriguing. While learning the material, it really forced me to think about the true impact media has had on our everyday life for years now. Thinking about what media does to us and the affects it has on us creates an understanding of why we do certain things, for me that is unsettling. The impact media has on people, no matter the age, race, sex, or gender, is so significant. By taking this class it really opened my eyes to this. I really enjoyed the material that was taught, it was kept my interest through out the entire semester. Although, it would have been nice to see some of the things we learned in action. Meaning it would have been nice to see the material through more film, music, pictures, etc. rather than slideshows. I thoroughly enjoyed the prosocial media project, this was a great way for us to come up with ways to “fix” some of the issues we talked about in class. It was a nice change of pace and was a great way to apply what we learned. Thanks for a good semester!

Reflection

4 Dec

When I first signed up for this course and it had no book I had no clue what to expect. Normally I look through the books of my classes to get a good feel on the material that we will be talking about. After being in this course it taught me a lot about society and how and media kind of brain washes people into thinking a certain way. Our world is slowly getting taken over by digital media which includes Facebook, Tv, Instagram, Twitter, movies, etc. While being exposed to all this media you get used to seeing certain stereotypes and turn them into Social Norms. Before taking this class I didn’t recognize that what I was seeing was a problem and that is was wrong. I was used to seeing that token black person because since my volleyball team has been predominately white for most of my life I am normally that token black person on the team or at a party. It was something that I was accustomed to. One thing that I really liked about this class is the fact that you should both perspectives and left it up to us to choose to learn something. For example we talked about what true beauty was and men and women are portrayed in the public. We had an article that we read in class that show us then men a portrayed in control or always dominating the woman. Women are seen as helpless and powerless, they need the men to come say them or tell them what to do. The most important thing I learned in this class to recognize what is wrong and become more aware about what is going on. For so many years I’ve never really analyzed and paid attention to shows that are throwing the stereotypes in my face because couldn’t recognize it. Now I try to watch shows that aren’t so stereotypical to change up the way I think as far as movies that tend to favor towards.

Me’Ashah Nicholson

Reflection

4 Dec

I’ve always been aware that media has had an effect on everyday society, cultures and individuals identity. Although prior to taking this media and identity course I was unaware of how many ways the media effects everyday life. It is scary in a way that a few corporations around the world are able to produce and air or publish what they want people to see or hear. From seeing all of the Pro-Social media projects it shows that there are so many ways in which individuals can start a movement for positive change within modern day society. Overall from this course I have become more knowledgable on the issue of how much media really does play within mine and everyones life and I have come to the conclusion to beware of what I see or read and that I need to be able to make my own decisions when viewing media products. I would recommend this course to anyone because it teaches real life valuable knowledge about how media plays and effect our lives everyday.

Reflection

4 Dec

When deciding to take this class I choose it based on the credit hours I needed. I don’t really know why I decided to take so many classes that involved media but Im glad I did because most of them interconnected. This class really forced me to think out side the box a little and think about others perspectives rather than just my own. This class was conducted in a way that made it a little easier to do so that usual. I was aware of a few things already mentioned in class like the ad of women and how women are portrayed in the media. I found the articles long but insightful. I enjoyed when we would Skype in class. Because this class made me think outside the box I found my self discussing some of the class material to my friends and sometimes co workers to get their opinions as well on what they thought. I hardly ever discuss what I did in class outside of class that when I was doing this I was realizing I was really thinking deeply about these issues and new concepts. Everyone has a different perspective because we all have different identities but once you try to understand that persons background you understand why they think the way they think and it’s a lot easier to see there perspective which then in return brings more understanding as a whole.

Reflection

4 Dec

This semester I signed up for this course needing the credit.  It sounded somewhat interesting but I didn’t really know what to expect.  After the first day of class I remember telling fellow classmates that I was excited for the course and seemed like I would learn a lot, which I did.  A lot of the classes I took this semester could easily tie in with each other so it definitely made it easier to retain the information.  Already knowing how influential the media can be, this class really brought to my attention the effects media has on just about everybody ranging from children to adults and males to females.  Media is everywhere! IT’s on the television we watch everyday, the magazines we read when waiting at the doctors office, the billboards we pass when driving down the highway you literally cannot escape media.  I also really enjoyed this course because I was able to connect with a lot of the topics we discussed.  I also thought the final project was a good way to finish up the semester.  It was cool to make us think outside of the box and try to come up to solutions to solve some of the social issues going on today rather than us just over viewing what we’ve learned this year.  I can fully say I enjoyed this class and I would definitely recommend it to others.

Reflection

4 Dec

Before taking this course, I had an interest on the social implications of identity as I was discovering facets of my own and also understanding how identities interact with one another in a social environment. I found this course to be quite an eye opening experience in that it really put the words to the ideas I had been exploring with the past year. I’ve also found that the course really helped me comprehend the interplay between media and psychological influence which is now what I would consider to be one of my top academic interests as I move forward with my education.

I think one of the most integral elements of this course was the pro-social media project. If I’m honest, some of the subject matter can get a bit depressing as the course goes on, but the project helped me recognize the production process of media that can counter what we identify in the course as problematic. I now find myself more empowered as perhaps a future decision maker in the media. 🙂

– Peter Laug

Reflection

4 Dec

I will first say I was so eager to take the course because I have only previously been enrolled in one Communication course that discussed media and entertainment which was the Pop Culture course, and heard so many great reviews regarding Media and Identity! I knew actually what I was getting myself into with taking this course and have not regretted it since. I feel as the this course and the topics we have discussed have given me further insight and knowledge on issues of race, gender, sexuality, class and religion. I’m considered to be a pretty conscious person because I feel as for a women, who is African American and comes from a low-income family there is no option but to be and the topics we discussed just expanded that realm.

What most interested me would have to be the portrayals of low-income individuals and the intersectionality of the topics, mainly with the Antoine Dodson, “Media Portrayals of the Poor” ,and “Institutions That Fail” readings plus the Class Dismissed video. In the media especially pertaining to class we view the programs and movies but never question or rarely critique how the framing and depiction of stories effect our ideologies. You really are passionate and have so much knowledge on each topic that we discuss I feel that if I or anyone else did not come out with new perspectives or gained more insight it is because they simply did not want to! Overall I loved the course, continue to be you and how you introduce subjects in the course!

Best,

Kara

Reflection

3 Dec

I don’t really know why I decided to take Media and Identity this semester, but I’m glad I did. I found that I was able to connect with a lot of the material on some sort of level. I also found myself sharing the content and readings with my brother. My brother is gay and he really seemed to be interested in the information that we looked over in the Gender and Sexuality in the Media section. Seeing his reaction really opened my eyes. In all honesty, all the content that we learned about in the course opened my eyes. It really shows how the media affects us on a daily basis and how we perceive identity. I enjoyed the lectures because I felt that I was able to learn more about the topics that way. When we would have class discussions, I was really interested in my classmate’s thoughts because everyone has a different opinion. You were able to see where they were coming from and hear about the experiences that shape their opinion. I wish we were able to have more time dedicated to each topic and really dig a little bit deeper. Overall I really enjoyed this class and I would honestly say that I have learned a lot about how we view our identities and how we view and process others identities, especially in the media. It’s always nice to come across a class that really makes you think about things that you deal with on a daily basis and how information can change the way you look at different situations and content.

Reflection

3 Dec

Before taking this course, I have no idea about identity. I haven’t think about some issues such as religion and class before when I watch TV. I even have problem with writing a blog talking about religion because I cannot think about any TV programs show this issue. The issue of religion is always there, until I recognized it. I am really surprised after that day, I notice religion is not a myth topic for me. Every topic we have discussed in class is related to our normal life. I admit this course open my mind and lead me a new way to see things.

Another thing I learned from this course is face to myself. After I heard my classmate’s presentation, I understand different people have different ways to see this world. Everyone is different because of gender, class, race, and religion. We have different experience and hold different point of view. Actually, there is no up or low division. People should be treated equally. As a girl, I am always heard from my parents or grandparents “why am I not a boy.” Because in China, having a boy means the family having offspring, and having a girl is for other family. I really hate this thought and I feel shamed about it. After taking this course, I feel comfortable. Even though in today’s society, women still get unequal treat compare to men. I believe someday, everyone would be treated equal, no matter gender, class, race or religion. Since a lot of people have realized these problems, we could try to change it.

All in all, I truly learn a lot and I enjoy being in this course. I hope in the future, China could talk about these issues openly in class, or in public.

Yiyang Xu.

Really thank you for giving us so great course!