Abstract
This paper analyzes the origins of language and its relationship to human societies and media. The paper argues the thesis that language is not simply a vehicle for communication but also a means for the control of the world around us and its social orders. The paper then looks at contemporary mass media, popular culture and their employment for political purposes. The paper explains that the complex structures of signification of language texts in mass media is essential to understand and resist their deployment as vehicles of power and control. In conclusion, the paper shows that as political culture draws upon popular culture to achieve its mythologizing effects, it becomes imperative that media literacy be achieved in order that the mass media audience at least has the possibility of interrogating media messages and asserting their identities as citizens rather than consumers.

Outline:
Introduction
Language and the Earliest Human Societies
Language, Media and the Construction of Human Societies
Visual Mass Media and Multi-textual Communication
Conclusion

From the Paper
"This insight is critical to understand the structural convergence of media and language in human civilization. Language is more than simply a system whereby particular vocal utterances contain socially-agreed meanings. From this perspective, the origins of language and media of communication have been recognized as being key determining factors in the construction of human societies from earliest times. Whether in oral, literate or digital societies the manner by which language is used to communicate thoughts and ideas has played a major role in the design and workings of those societies. While most people use the term language in reference to the various spoken languages developed in societies around the world, in reality language is much more complex. It is a system of signs - communicated usually through vocal speech - which are commonly agreed to have an "objective" reference (Berger and Luckmann 36)."

Tags:culture, communication, celebrity, society, reality, semiotics

Abstract
The paper explores the relationship between a magazine article and the language it uses. The paper explains that the article dealt with genetically modified crops. The paper shows the power of the words frankenfood and the word contamination.

From the Paper
"Language provides meaning for our lives. It shapes the way we think about both ourselves and our world. For example, in "A Basic Course in Anthropological Linguistics" Marcel Danesi states, "Humans use language to encode knowledge, to pass it on to subsequent generations, to investigate reality, to communicate among themselves, to entertain themselves, and so on and so forth (Danesi 2004: 3)." What this means is that language is vital to human survival. It is what..."

Tags:media, language, meaning

Abstract
This paper examines how race and gender are distorted by the media and how this distortion influences reality. The writer discusses how the American public has created a universal understanding of what they believe about Black America through images presented by the media. In addition, the writer believes that the imagery presented in the media of women has gradually slanted towards more straightforward sexist imagery and language. The writer also discusses the power implications resulting from these images. The writer concludes that the media needs to take responsibility for their actions and illustrate women as more than just an outline in front of a black screen - but as individuals who raise children and create change in society.

From the Paper
"A filmmaker's ultimate role is to properly present images in sequence that tell a story and/or conveys a message or several of them. With various imagery tools, movies present a message in a way that makes them seem natural and fitting for the context that it is presented in. Whether it's a horror movie, documentary or educational film, the media gives us ways of imagining particular groups, identities and situations (Bronton & Stafford 141). This is most often defined as a stereotype."

Tags:film, magazine, news, images, movies, racism, Black, people

Abstract
This paper explains that the energy of Shakespeare's words can only be realized in modern terms -- in our language, in our time and with our ideals. This paper uses many examples from the movies: John Madden's "Shakespeare in Love," Al Pacino's "Looking for Richard," Stuart Canterbury's "A Midsummer Night's Cream," Spike Lee's "Bamboozled," and Baz Luhrmann's "William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet." The author concludes that actors have the power to bring the dead back to life and especially to determine how future generations will view Shakespeare.

From the Paper
"Al Pacino's "Looking for Richard "is a patchwork of movie, educational film, Bardolatry, and documentary into adapting, directing and acting Shakespeare, specifically "Richard III." Pacino along with actor/director Frederick Kimble and an all-star cast takes us on a journey or a "quest" as Kimble puts it, to fulfill a personal dream of Pacino's to "communicate a Shakespeare that is about how we feel and think today." Immediately Pacino has conveyed that he is bringing the Bard to our society and so is not just presenting an adaptation of Richard III but a "meditation on what Shakespeare means at the end of the twentieth century.""

Tags:demystification, culture, madden, pacino, generations

Abstract
The paper highlights a news topic on Katie Holmes that discussed how fantastic she was, in order to determine the motivations behind this report. The paper then looks at the work of Neil Postman and Steve Powers entitled "How to Watch TV News" that highlights the lack of objectivity in a press release, since the company has a profit motive in mind. The paper shows that to discern the the true meaning and motivation behind the news, one has to consider the reasoning behind the news and the language chosen in its expression.

Outline:
Introduction
Discerning the Meaning of the News
Conclusion

From the Paper
"According to Neil Postman and Steve Powers in their book How to Watch TV News, a number of principles are presented which the authors advance are "an essential part of the analytical equipment a viewer must bring to any encounter with a news show" (Postman; Powers, p. 98). News must not simply be accepted as stated fact without any consideration, as the news is not entirely innocent of its own agenda. The stories presented on news programs are done so to ensure that the viewers see that which the news network, or its parent company, desires. The motivation behind this is not necessarily to provide the people with the best possible news program available, as these organizations are for-profit corporations, not philanthropic non-profits like WGBH or PBS."

Tags:objectivity, interest, reporting

Abstract
This paper discusses the pros and cons of bilingualism focusing on the homogenizing of the world's languages and the struggle to keep some languages and cultures alive. It mentions the effects of colonial powers, the necessities of learning other languages for trade purposes and the reluctance of younger members of minority groups to learn their original tongue. Contains information such as the top nine countries language wise contain 3,300 languages. The paper also discusses the gradual process of change in a language.

From the paper:

?Bilingualism is a reality today and it will become a greater reality as time goes. The extent to which it is prevalent is evidenced by the presence of bilinguals in every country today, as well as in every social class and every age group. International travel, communication and the mass media, emigration and planetary economics have created a so-called global village whereby inhabitants speak more than their own native language."

Tags:Fishman, Wurm, diglossia

Abstract
In this paper, the author addresses many of the issues surrounding sexual harassment in the workplace, such as the risk of offensive language or jokes, perception vs. intent, and the ultimate cost of human gossip. Furthermore, the author attempts, through a more thorough look into the problems and situations surrounding the issues, to shed some light on many of the common misconceptions regarding sexual harassment.

From the Paper
"Despite widespread publicity and controversy over the problem of sexual harassment in the work place the growing challenge of preventing such an act continues to infest our work places. Several recent reports indicate that despite the acknowledgment of the continuing problem of sexual harassment, many employers have yet to fully address the problem. Moreover, recent news reports indicate that sexual harassment has found its way from the grunts of the cooperate world all the way to the highest levels of management."

Tags:trivialization, fun, media, serious, corporate, America, manager, power, men, workforce

Abstract
The paper discusses how the language of the Internet includes a new and powerful array of techniques and devices to attract and persuade the viewer. The paper demonstrates how this ability to persuade and influence is particularly evident in political and politically-orientated websites. The paper examines and compares the sites "Defend America", "The Department of Peace," "Americas War Against Terrorism" and "Antiwar." The paper portrays how all these sites use the medium of the Internet and the avenues and tools that this medium provides to influence and suggest various stances and ideological positions. The paper concludes that those Web sites that are the most honest and which promote open discussion will be the most successful in the search for peaceful solutions.

From the Paper
"This site deals with news and views about the war on terror. The site obviously has a bias towards the defense force and government in terms of its views and interpretations of the war on terror; and this ideological stance is mirrored in the subtle use of text and images in the site.
Firstly, the site is intensely logical and rational in layout and construction. This would appeal to the more disciplined and structured military demeanor. The site is also presented as an official portal of unquestionable validity. The stars in the background, the colors, all reinforce this perception."

Tags:media, politics, ideological, indoctrination

Abstract
A report by the Alliance for Childhood (2000) proposed that computers are dangerous to young children because they pose physical, social, intellectual, and moral hazards. However, reviews of published research studies into use of ICT with young children suggest there are many areas of education where technology can benefit preschoolers. Among the benefits noted were improvements in mathematical problem solving and increases in language skills such as vocabulary size and use, reading and spelling. In addition, there are improvements related to increased social development and social interaction. This paper examines the debate from both sides, in an effort to determine if ICT has an effect on how children interact on a social level with their peers. The paper contends that ICT technologies can be powerful tools for enhancing young children's learning and social skills. The paper aims to determine how this learning can take place and how preschoolers can benefit from it. In an effort to determine how children get the most from learning with and through ICT in their early years, the paper compares and contrasts ICT to traditional forms of learning, including toys, building blocks and puzzles.
Table of Contents
Introduction
What Is ICT?
ICT Debate
Pressure On Schools To Incorporate ICT
ICT's Place In Preschools
A Case Study Of ICT In Preschool
ICT And Media Concerns
Uses And Benefits Of ICT
Conclusion

From the Paper
"With ICT playing a more and more important role in all areas of the National Curriculum, it is important to introduce children to ICT in the early years of their lives (Healy, 1999). According to studies, children who have had high-quality ICT experiences in preschool are more likely to have high expectations and need to be challenged at primary school. The rapid growth technology in the past two decades has resulted in many changes for parents, teachers and educators (Healy, 1999). Using technology will be a vital life skill for today's children and will help them throughout their school careers and daily lives. The challenge that faces educators in terms of education is how best to prepare children for a world that will make major demands on them."

Tags:kindergarten, education, computers

Abstract
This paper is an in-depth examination of the key arguments in the debate currently going on in Britain over whether or not to replace its adversarial system of justice and replace it with the inquisitorial system of justice now used in the European Union. The paper begins by defining both the adversarial and inquisitorial systems of justice. It then presents arguments in support of the Inquisitorial Model including that the system promotes equality; decreases miscarriages of justice; seeks to find the truth; argues that the judges in the adversarial system are poorly trained while its judges are chosen on merit. The author then presents their arguments against the use of the Inquisitorial Model and makes the following points about the inquisitorial system including that it ignores human dignity; that it will cause false imprisonment; argues that the European Union will be allowed to prosecute British Citizens and will therefore render British Law powerless; argues that it will lead to the destruction of the Magna Carta and finally, argues that the system can be costly. The author then presents a final evaluation of the materials presented and details their own conclusions as to which system is better suited for use in Britain.

From the Paper
"Opponents of implementing the inquisitorial system argue the efficacy of the adversarial system. These opponents note that there are clear advantages to the current British system which include. The right of Habeas Corpus (that the accused must be taken to a public court within a very short period of time, usually 24 hours, and the accusers must produce their evidence then and there. The right to Trial by Jury at which jurors can in fact even disregard the law if they think it would give an unjust conviction. The jurors are thus 'sovereign'. If found innocent, the accused cannot be tried again on the same charge. (Corpus Juris and the Effect on British Common Law Rights)"

Tags:magna, carta, britain, european, union, adversarial, justice, criminal, evidence, countries, judge, procedure, evidence, parties, language, communities, power, role, miscarriages, wealthy, misdirection, trial, senstational, media, truth, falsification, merit, dignity, human, victims