TOPIC: Critical Analysis on a Media Material
Instructions: In “Cultural Studies, Multiculturalism, and Media Culture,” Douglas Kellner argues: “[w]e are immersed from cradle to grave in a media and consumer society and thus it is important to learn how to understand, interpret, and criticize its meanings and messages” (2015, 9). Kellner claims that a critical cultural studies approach allows us to dissect the meanings, messages, and effects of dominant cultural forms and therefore resist media manipulation. Put another way, Kellner suggests that if we critically analyze the “politics of representation” of media and popular cultures, we engage in a struggle for alternative cultures and political change. For your media response assignment, choose ONE example of mass media or popular culture (e.g., a TV program, Hollywood film, video game, Internet site, magazine ad, billboard, newspaper article, YouTube clip, music video, etc.) and write a 500-750 word critical analysis of that cultural text. Your essay must address the question: how does my critical analysis of media and popular culture contribute to social change? Your media response must be written in standard essay format, which means you will be evaluated on the quality of your thesis statement and organization of ideas. Your essay must make reference to at least TWO (2) key concepts from the course (see KEY CONCEPTS in your syllabus). To clarify how to perform a critical analysis, review the readings by Douglas Kellner (2015) (assigned Jan 10), Stuart Hirschberg and Terry Hirschberg (2002) and Andrea Noack (2012) (assigned Feb 7).
Douglas Kellner is a professor of education and information studies at the University of California, Los Angeles. In “Cultural Studies, Multiculturalism, and Media Culture,” Kellner discusses the role of media in shaping culture and how it is important for individuals to learn how to interpret and critically analyze the messages and meanings conveyed through media.
Kellner argues that media plays a significant role in shaping our understanding of the world and our place in it. He notes that we are constantly surrounded by media in our daily lives, from the moment we are born until the moment we die, and that media has a powerful influence on the way we think, feel, and behave. Therefore, it is important for individuals to learn how to interpret and critically analyze the messages and meanings conveyed through media in order to better understand the world around them.
Kellner also discusses the concept of multiculturalism and how it relates to media culture. He argues that media has the potential to both reflect and shape multiculturalism, and that it is important for media to accurately and fairly represent the diversity of cultures and experiences present in society.
