Ms. Marootian
RISE English
Ms. Marootian’s
Final Project: Media Literacy
(340 points)
We have discussed the media and how it plays an important role in
shaping people’s lives. For the final project you are to defend an original thesis
about a media related issue. Your thesis must be supported by four or more
sources of research and by examples from the media (ANY form of media
including: Print or Commercial Ads, News, TV, Radio, Film, Newspaper, Blogs,
Wikis, etc.).
PART I: Select a Topic (10 points)
The topics for investigation will be limited to two people covering a
specific thesis on a first come, first served basis. I will reserve topics Today 5/3
through a lottery.
PART II: Thesis and Research Notes Submitted to Turnitin: (20 points)
You will be given time to research in class. You must read a minimum of
four professional articles, essays and research on your subject. These sources
must be used in your paper and presentation. Wikipedia, blogs, personal
websites, etc. do not count as scholarly sources, though these types of sites
may be used in addition to your scholarly sources.
Before you start your paper, you must submit a thesis. A thesis MUST
be an argument about your topic, not a fact. You are not simply reporting, you
are arguing something! You may argue for an effect your subject has had, make
Ms. Marootian
RISE English
a prediction, the relevance of your topic, etc. Thesis must be pre-approved no
later than Tuesday 5/8.
PART III: THE Project:
300 points
COMPONENT #1: PAPER (100 pts)
 The paper (5-7 pages 2x spaced minimum) should contain your thesis and
an analysis of your support for it—this includes both your research and
your media examples. If you do not properly cite your research, I will not
accept your paper. Use MLA format for parenthetical citations.
 Include a works cited page that identifies all of your sources.
 Grammar and spelling counts
COMPONENT #2: ORAL PRESENTATION (DRESS CODE APPLIES- 75 pts)
 Have a title slide
 Introduce your thesis
 Then quote or paraphrase what media/cultural/social critics have
had to say that supports your position
 Deconstruct and analyze all data as well as the examples that you
have chosen, being certain to show how each support your thesis.
 Finally, make sure your report has a conclusion.
 10 slide minimum (does not include title slide or works cited slide)
 MUST be practiced in front of peer (10 pts)
NOTE: Understand that simply completing 10 slides does not guarantee a
passing grade; if your presentation lacks examples, research, or analysis, you
will lose significant credit. Likewise, you must exercise proper presentation
skills (i.e., not simply reading off of your slide, etc).
COMPONENT #3: iMOVIE OR FINAL CUT DOCUMENTARY 75 pts)
 Must include all four sources
 Must include the six media examples
 Should include outside interviews of peers or other groups; you
must use these interviews to inform your research and media
observation
Ms. Marootian
RISE English
 5-7 minute minimum
*The remaining 50 points will create your classwork and audience grade.
**Your project should present a balance of original analysis and media support.
***This is your final exam, you do not need to attend class on the day of the
period 2 Exam.
◄
April
Sun
~ May 2012 ~
Mon
Tue
1
6
13
7
Test on The
Body of
Christopher
Creed
8
14
15
Work on the
Presentation
Research
/Paper
Wed
2
Research/
Paper
Thu
3
Final Exam
Project
ExplainedTopics Chosen
Fri
4
June
►
Sat
5
Time to begin
researching and
gathering notes
from sources
9
10
11
12
Research/
Paper
Research/
Paper
Research/
Paper
16
Work on the
Presentation
17
Work on the
Presentation
18
Work on the
Presentation
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25
No School
26
Paper DUE
Today!
20
21
Work on the
Documentary
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23
Work on the
Documentary
Work on the
Documentary
27
28
No School
29
Work on the
Documentary
24
Work on the
Documentary
30
Work on the
Documentary
31
Work on the
Documentary
Projects Due
Today!
Notes: Class time is
being give to enable
you to create an
even better productspend it wisely as
you will be graded on
it.
Ms. Marootian
RISE English
NOTE: Presentations will be given Friday June 1st- Wednesday June 13th
Ms. Marootian
RISE English
SUGGESTIONS FOR TOPICS:
1) Children’s Programming (Nickelodeon, Disney, PBS) and gender, race, ethnic
stereotyping, violence. Children targeted media as a profitable market. What do
you notice? Make an argument.
2) Compare/contrast American made films with non-American films. You may
also choose another media genre: print advertisements/commercials, game
shows, sitcoms, etc. What do you notice? Make an argument.
3) Research the Media Monopoly: collaboration, cross promotion and cross
marketing. Provide research and analysis of consolidation of corporate control
of media and its social, political, economic and cultural effects.
4) Research Political “smear campaigns,” spin, VNRs, etc. How does the
government use/abuse media for their own benefit?
5) Research the Corporate Takeover of the Music Industry. Take a look into
the history of Napster, iTunes, LimeWire, current trends. Research Clear
Channel and its effects on music.
6) Research Reality TV: history, current trends, and future. How real is reality
TV? Why is it so appealing both to producers and audiences alike? From Jersey
Shore, to Survivor to Apprentice to the Bachelor.
7. Research the Influence of MTV: How does Music Television influence the
generation? In what ways is it positive? In what ways is it negative?
8) Research Games Shows: Throughout the history of television, game shows
have been a consistent form of entertainment for audiences and profitable
market for producers. Research the vast variety of shows and from the past
and the present. Why are they so appealing? How have they changed over the
years and how have they remained the same. What do you foresee for games in
the future. Support your speculations. What was the great Game show scandal?
.
9) FCC and the Telecommunications Acts. Research and explain what both are.
To whom do/should the airwaves belong? Who benefits from the
Telecommunication Acts? Should it be this way?
Ms. Marootian
RISE English
10) Research Feminine Representation. Examine the history of representations
of women in the media. Has it changed? Have the changes been good or bad for
women? Consider women and violence, weight, power, dumb blonde, as little girl
and other stereotypes).
11) Research Masculine Representation. Examine the history of
representations of men in the media. Has it changed? Have the changes been
good or bad for men? Consider men and violence, athletics, body image, wealth,
looks, power, intellect, and other stereotypes).
12) Research Ideals of Beauty. How have the media shaped views of what is
“beautiful” throughput history?
13) Research the Media Representation of the Handicapped. Explore media’s
representation (or lack of representation) of the handicapped? How would you
judge it? Has it helped provoke compassion or abuse for handicapped people?
13) Research the Representation of the History of any Marginalized or
Stereotyped Group: the working class, the elderly, teenagers, police, etc. How
has it changed? How has it remained the same?
14) Ethnic stereotyping: Representation of Latinos, Blacks, Asians, Italians, etc.
Examine the history of media representation, the elements of the stereotypes
and the progress or lack of progress/development of the image of the group
over the years.
15) Research the History of the Representation of the American Family. From
Leave IT to Beaver and MY Three Sons or Father Knows Best to Roseanne, All
in the Family, Married with Children, Malcolm in the Middle and Modern
Family, beyond. Compare and contrast. What has changed? What has remained
the same?
16) Research the Video Game Violence Debate. Research the history of video
games and the issue of violence in video games. Use clips and research to
support a well-organized position.
Ms. Marootian
RISE English
17) Research the History and Current Trends of the Representation of
Homosexuality. Explore the past and the present. Make informed and
substantiated speculations about the future based on your research.
18) Research the History of the Advertising and Marketing of a Particular
Product. For example, how does as McDonalds, Burger King, Pepsi, Target, sell
their product?
19) Come up with your own media related topic! (To be approved by me first).