Abstract A paper about the problems with the MPAA, The Motion Picture Association of America and their rating system. The author describes what the MPAA is, their role, and strategies for rating, revealing their inconsistencies and inherent biasness in certain aspects.
From the Paper "We finally reach a point where we have to ask if the MPAA is doing a "good" job. I have found that the MPAA often has the right idea, but seems to continuously fall short when rating movies. By falling short, I mean that there are constant inconsistencies in film ratings dealing with moral aspects (homosexual content, violence, etc.) These problems need to be further addressed and solutions,such as the ones mentioned above, need to be considered. The effectiveness of ratings also needs to be addressed. As is, ratings are not as effective as one might hope they would be. Evidence has proven this by showing lack of consistency, bias, confusion, etc. Rating films is not a "bad" idea, but their current state is not really working. The MPAA needs to focus more on just explaining what is in the films instead of over-rating them to the point of forcing film makers to edit their creativity."
Abstract The appearance of new technologies can often dramatically change the face of a culture such as the emergence of the Internet. This paper looks at how culture and technology are intimately linked and how changes in the technology effects culture. Includes projections into the future.
From the Paper "Technology has a profound effect on, and may even destroy the culture in which it appears. If we accept that technology profoundly changes the cultures it is immersed in, an investigation of current technologies may provide useful in prediction cultural change. The Internet is a recently emerging technology that may have powerful cultural ramifications, including increased global cultural homogenization."
Abstract This paper discusses several instances of how the Holocaust has been viewed through the different types of media. The author examines the impact of this and how it has influenced society's opinion about the Holocaust.
From the Paper "World War II is a well-known and well-studied historical event. One experience that is most commonly associated with this is the Holocaust, the worst incident of genocide in history. The accounts of this widespread murder of six million Jews by the Nazis have been passed down through history. Some even refuse to believe that the Holocaust ever took place, even with the numerous accounts and testimonies of survivors along with the countless pieces of evidence that still remain today. Nevertheless, the effects of the Holocaust, the crime of the century, continue to shape our culture long after the actual barbaric event took place."
Tags: adolf, camps, concentration, europe, germany, hitler, ii, jewish, nazi, prisoners, war, world, ww2, wwii
Abstract This research attempts to examine the extent to which the media influences the lives of adolescents. The author attempts to investigate how the media impacts the socialization of the youth culture and whether the media is so powerful that it has come to replace other socialization agents such as the family, school and peers. The author examines the way socialization agents impact stages of development and how each contribute to another aspect of the individual's forming personality and attitudes. The author makes use of various sociological theories for supporting evidence.
Table of Contents:
Chapters
1.0 Statement of Research Problem
1.1 Research Problem 2
2.0 Introduction to Theoretical Perspectives
and Review of Literature 3
2.1 Introduction to the Media as an Agent of Socialization 3
2.2 Getting to Know the 3
2.3 The 4
2.4 How the Media Socializes 5
2.5 Media as an Industry 5
2.6 Development of Gender Roles
and Consciousness of Achieved Status 6
2.7 Global Impact vs. Role in North American Society 7
2.8 Pros and Cons of Media Dominance 7
2.9 Independent and Dependant Variables 8
2.10 The Test 8
2.11 The Respondents 9
2.12 The Choice of a Questionnaire 9
2.13 Possible 9
2.14 Validity of Respondents 10
2.15 Questionnaire Distribution 10
2.16 Questions to Answers 11
2.17 Conclusion to Theoretical Perspectives
and Review of Literature 11
3.0 Administration Overview 12
3.1 Time Schedule 12
3.2 Budget 12
3.3 Ethical Issues 13
4.0 Measurement Overview 13
4.1 Existing research 14
5.0 Analysis Overview 14
6.0 Implications 14
6.1 Practical Applications 15
Figure #1 The Questionnaire 16
References 18
From the Paper "There is a problem in Canada that youth are unaware of the significance of the media and its influence on their day-to-day lives. The main questions that will be investigated in the research and hopefully answered if not fully understood by the end of the study would be as follows: How important is the media in the socialization of Canadian popular cultured youth? Is the media the most influential agent of socialization in a teenager's life? Has the media replaced the family, school and peers for being the centre of acquired knowledge for youth? Existing sociological theory suggest we have varying agents of socialization that have different effects on us at different stages of our development and life course. Agents of Socialization are people, groups or institutions that teach people what they need to know in order to participate in society. During the elementary years of school peers are the most important influence. A peer group is a group of people who are linked by common interest, equal social position, and similar age categories. Even as adults we are still influenced by our peers. In this study it will be discussed that the media because of its worldwide accessibility has become a great contributor to socialization than the peer group between the ages of 15-18. The stage of development, which will be conveyed, is called anticipatory socialization (to be discussed in further detail in the theoretical discussion section). This influence at the ages of 15-18, which is referred to, as adolescence will carry on for the future generations as a vital agent of socialization through, out their adult lives."
Abstract This literature review is all about television violence and the effects on youth. The author attempts to examine whether television consumption cause children to imitate behavior. The author includes an examination of how parent involvement interacts. This research includes statistics as proof variables.
From the paper:
"Television is a part of life. Virtually every household has a television set and many homes have two or three (Ledingham, 1993). Needless to say, television plays an enormous role in the lives of many American families and the magnitude of its influence on people is considerable also. This is especially true where children are involved. According to Liebert & Sprafkin (1988), "television viewing time rises from about 2.5 hours per day at the age of five to about 4 hours a day at the age of 12." Ledingham goes on to say that "television is used frequently by parents as a babysitter or distraction device" (1993)."
Abstract This paper argues that journalism, and the journalists who work in this field are unable to report a story fairly, without bias. The author uses examples of sensational stories that were reported in the media, and then found to be untrue. This paper also looks at the different types of journalism, including newspapers, television, and the internet in order to support the assertion of bias.
From the Paper "Objective journalism and fair reporting go hand in hand. They both involve ethics, but I view fair reporting slightly differently from objective journalism. While objective journalism is more concerned with the prevention of a reporter taking a side in the argument of his/her commentary, I think fair reporting addresses the notion that a journalist should not stretch the truth or present false information in a printed or spoken statement. A biased account is tolerable, but there is no excuse for journalists incorporating lies into their work."
This paper highlights the advances in imaging technology that have allowed scientists to discover how memory works and the areas of the brain involved.
Abstract This paper looks at how the different advances in brain imaging-techniques have contributed to scientists increased ability to understand the concept of memory. It looks at the advent of Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET), and what they have meant to the increased ability to understand and treat brain, and memory disorders.
From the Paper "For example, fMRI was found useful for research by Awh and colleagues (1999) to observe brain activations during the performance of a spatial working memory task. In this investigation, subjects were given a spatial working memory task and a control task. Using fMRI the researchers found a functionally distinct, region that showed sustained activity during the spatial working memory task, confirming the location for the neural bases for that function. In the past, researchers who wanted detailed studies of human brain activity struggled because they lacked effective investigative tools. In experiments with humans the best technologies brought only limited success in mapping the processes of consciousness."
Abstract This paper is an analysis of how women compare themselves to the female images that are displayed to them today as role models. The author examines the current backlash against feminism today. The paper pays particular attention to body image and the eating disorders that plague so many women as a result of the skeletal models and actresses they perceive as perfection.
From the Paper "Over the past twenty years women have not been content merely to denounce biases and inequities in the established media. Women have created and used countless alternative and participatory communication channels to support their struggles, defend their rights, promote reflection, diffuse their own forms of representation. This process has made women the primary subjects of struggle and change in communication systems, by developing oppositional and proactive alternatives that influence language, representations and communication technologies."
Abstract This paper explores the rapidly growing wireless Internet industry and its technical development in terms of hardware and emerging applications. The paper displays the information as graphs and pictures by adding depth to the facts and information provided in written form. The paper includes a hands-on evaluation of recent products and services that indicate that wireless Internet access works well. The paper questions the industry's fast growth and its resulting state of health.
From the Paper "Due to the growing need of information, and the trend toward globalization, and the massive potential of the Internet, wireless technology evolved itself to develop the Wireless Internet phenomenon. With numerous and potential applications of the Wireless Internet, the Wireless Internet industry has some key players in the business world. It is expected that this industry would not only grow exponentially in future, it is also growing rapidly now.
Executive Summary
Information increases productivity. The Internet was born. Globalization was an immediate running course. The wireless industry had to evolve to keep up with the worldwide growth in revenues and production. The wireless world may seem complicated; but in it, as in the familiar wired world, all that the Wireless Internet needs is three basic things to go online: a modem or some other hardware device, a service provider that would connect that hardware to the Internet, and content to look at once connected (Arar). The Wireless Internet has created excitement from Yahoo to Microsoft, and from Japan to US. It is a worldwide phenomenon holding great importance. This project will give an outline for the final one that would try to answer the question: is the Wireless Internet industry growing as rapidly as it appears, and as well as it has been predicted? The expected answer is a simple 'Yes.' "
Tags: information, globalization, wireless, technology, internet, applications, telecommunications, information
Abstract The writer of this paper shows how Broadband is a way to explain how the Internet will embark from the traditional online connection into the freeway of the information system, the combination of digital and fiber optic technology. The paper studies the history of Broadband, its uses and advantages and its use in today's Internet world. Finally, the paper shows - graphically too - the part that broadband will play in the future, both from the Internet and business points of view.
From the Paper "Compared to dial-up modem, the broadband technology could do it much faster, in seconds. Cable modem, wireless, and DSL provides around ten times faster connections compared to dial-up modem, in any capacity the modem has. With the use of cable modem, such large-filed applications like games and movies can also be viewed and played through the original speed and convenience. It is also possible to do the download, browsing, and checking email click-by-click at the same time without any frustrating trouble of logging in and disconnecting from the ISP."
Abstract The following paper discusses the elements of successful communication, effective advertising, and the factors that cause information to cross the line into propaganda.
From the Paper "Communications strategies are concerned with the planning, implementing and control of persuasive communication with customers or potential customers. The strategies are the plan and the tactics are the action. Advertising is a strategic persuasion consistent with the objectives of the person or entity sponsoring this communication.
Advertising is mass communication that is paid for. It is the most visible element of the marketing mix; it ha the broadest potential reach of all forms of commercial persuasive communication.
Advertising is a form of mass selling, employed when the use of direct, person-to-person selling is impractical, impossible, or simply inefficient. It performs the same general role of all communications as a whole: it informs, creates awareness, attempts to persuade, and reinforces buying behavior of present customers. It can also play a major role in positioning a company or its product(s)."
Abstract This paper analyzes the historical contribution of the role of media by looking at the theories of Noam Chomsky and Marshall McLuhan. The author covers several different topics in this paper, including the role that the internet and television have contributed to the globalization of news and how the world is viewed by the masses. The author details the theories of Chomsky and McLuhan on mass media and its affect on the new world order. The author feels that both of these men feel that it is the role that mass media has changed the world in the last half of the twentieth century and in many cases, for the worse. In Chomsky's case, he feels that the media is manipulating society and for McLuhan, it was the nature of mass media itself that he felt was so dangerous.
From the Paper "The theories of Marshall Mcluhan and Noam Chomsky provide an in-depth view of the role of media in our lives; Marshall Mcluhan was a media guru who developed theories about the role of media in mass popular culture. Mcluhan became famous and fascinated the scholarly world through two of his renowned books on media "Understanding Media" (1964) and "The Medium is the Message" in which he developed his critique of media and provided some fruitful analysis in understanding the role of media. Noam Chomsky is a well-known scholar, who has been very critical about the US policies; his theories concentrate on how government uses media to control the masses, diverting their attention from real issues and concerns."
Abstract A paper which shows that, by calling it propaganda in the form of patriotism, the American government has been successful in influencing its people on many matters, both politically and socially, with the use of media. The paper uses America's change in its isolationist policy during WWI as an example. It also shows how the movie industry was used to influence the public.
From the Paper "But the films were even more effective. It wasn?t necessarily that movies like "America's Answer" ? a documentary in 1918 about the sending of the first 500,000 American troops to France ? were great art. The were professionally made, certainly, but their power to persuade Americans in the importance of U.S. engagement in Europe relied not on artistry per se but on each film's possessing a simple, clear message. The force of this repeated, focused message (a hallmark of effective propaganda in all media) combined with the immediacy of film won over many Americans who ? had they simply been reading about the war in the newspaper ? might well have remained convinced that isolationism was the best policy."
Tags: communist, World, War, I, Woodrow, Wilson, Committee, Public, Information, Our, Bridge, of, Ships, Mary, Pickford, Charlie, Chaplin
Abstract A paper which presents a detailed discussion about the war on terrorism and the media's manipulation of the war. The writer outlines the societal views of the US attacks on Middle Eastern soil. The writer also describes the way the media has manipulated society members regarding the attacks by refusing to cover certain issues and cooperating with the US government.
From the Paper "One of the earliest ways that the media began to manipulate the world opinion about the United States attack in the Middle East was its coverage of Bin Laden's reaction to the attacks on 9-11. The media on an almost world wide basis began to claim in November that Bin Laden had proclaimed credit was his for the attacks(Truth pg 10). Media in the United States, Britain, New Zealand and other nations insisted that he had admitted, "we did it" (Truth pg 10). It was reported that he confessed on a news network in England. This would have a very heavy impact on the way society would view Bin Laden and the war against the Middle East. Until this occurred, America as well as other nations were outraged at the attacks on America which killed thousands of civilians but there was a hesitation about who to attack. "
Abstract The writer first introduces the Amish people, explaining where they are from and what they believe in. The paper then discusses how their religious practices influence their methods of communication - language, tone of voice and modest way of speech. It examines their use of language as punishment too - "shunning" people by not speaking to them.
From the Paper "The Amish are known as a "plain" people. This is a description is often given of the modest, traditional dress of Amish men and women. It is also quite applicable to the taciturn style of communication of the Amish as well as to their more famous traditional ways of life and dress. Ostentation in speech in the Amish community is frowned upon with suspicion, even regarded as heretical when done to excess, just as much as innovations in dress and the means of producing the necessities of everyday life."
