Each student will conduct research on a specific topic relating to Mass Communication issues, topics, people, companies etc.... These topics could be on one of the many aspects that encompasses Mass Communication. This should be scholarly research on an area related to class topics.
The issues/topics are up to the student to decide, but these must be approved in advance. The topics should be fully researched and understood by the student and address a certain aspect of mass communication issues. Think of ideas that interest you and are worth exploring or that were not touched upon in class for this assignment.You can also go further in depth on topics that we've briefly reviewed or are mentioned in the text.
To start , come up with a Thesis title & statement that encompasses the scope of the topic being addressed. There are countless choices for topics.
These suggestions below are meant to inspire, not limit, your choices. These are also not the only ones - you can come up with your own idea. Please take some time & consider an issue, theme which you want to research & explore further. The goal of this is to not only educate others on these issues, but for you to explore other areas of the mass communication medium that you are interested in.
Ideas-(but feel free to pick your own)
- Print Media
- News / Journalism / Photojournalism
- Media Effects
- Radio History
- Free Press & importance of the 1st Amendment
- Television- History, inventors, Networks
- Movies, film production, censorship
- Social Media & the next Big Thing
- Video games & violence
- Media Law/ Ethical concerns
- Media Conglomerates- How much do they control
- Fox News & the 2016 Election
- Fake News & the threat of AI
- Importance of Small-town Papers
- AM Radio decline
- Role of Self-Publishing in Todays Book market
- Music effects on the young
- Movie ratings and the Hays Code
- The Internet
- Social Media & its influence on children
- Media under Repressive Governments
- Advertisings Influence
- Product Placement in TV & Films
- Public Relations- Good & Bad
- Libel Cases & News Organizations
- Movies influences over time
- Key Figures in media
This final will be given as a presentation to the class. For the class presentation- a PowerPoint type presentation is expected. The presentation should have visual, audio and creative aspects. You may use film clips as well as graphs, charts, & other visual elements for your presentation.
Now, all you have to do is come up with an idea. The idea needs to be original- everyone should be doing a different projects.
Any and all projects need to be cleared by me first. So, you will need to write up a brief theme proposal with the topic you are planning beforehand. If you have two or three options for the topic that is a good idea. Topics are on a first come first served basis.
Presentation Idea due by 11/9
You will need MLA citing of at least three sources, which should not all be from just online sources & not Wikipedia. The sources you select should come from a variety of material. Books, journals, newspapers, films, etc. There needs to be a min number of 3 sources that are not web only. There should be a min. of 6 sources.
This will not be just an outline. The bulk of your writing will be in your own words. You may quote a source, but the majority of the presentation will be your own words and ideas on the subject of choice.
Overall presentation timing will be 8-12 mins for single presenter. 15-20 mins for two students.
Be sure to practice the presentation to get timing down: a presentation that is too short will lose points, as will one that goes over the allotted time.
The time includes, the presentation, PowerPoint, one or two short film clip viewings Film clips should be no longer than 2- 3 minutes each.
Visual appeal is important, use of effective and relevant photographs or other photocopied images found on the internet or from books/magazines/newspapers will enhance the presentation- make sure they are accurate & factual.
The importance here is one giving a clear, concise, factual presentation for the class. Adding more to the overall discussion to your topic is required.
CLARITY:
Audience should be able to understand points made WITHOUT additional verbal explanation. Information should be accurate and straightforward. Please rehearse your presentation, so that you are using the right amount of time (going under/over time- not a good idea).
As you prepare for the presentation, spend time on making a script to avoid overlap. You should be sure to digest the information from your source(s), which means present that info in your own words or clearly identify quotes when you share them with class so your audience will understand you. Also be sure to define any terms your classmates might not know.
- AVOID straight reading of quotes from sources unless very brief.
- AVOID reading directly from your presentation. You want to be talking directly to your audience, making eye contact. Ad-libbing your discussion can all help in giving speeches. You need to face the classroom, talk to the students, not have your back to them, or face buried in notes or reading from the computer and not looking at the class.
- Points will be deducted if the presentation style is poor.
- Citing and bringing up points not included on your power-point can help as well.
- Do not just copy and paste information found on-line. Wikipedia is not the only source of information in the world, and is often filled with mistruths.
- You should research books in the library as well as doing scholarly research in print & on-line.
- The powerpoint slides should not be paragraph after paragraph of information that was in your midterm paper that you expect the class to read.
- The powerpoint should highlight the key points- your discussion will give the bulk of the information.
- A video clip shown (limit 2 film clips) shown should be limited to approx 2 mins in length. Your presentation should not be showing a video that explains your topic instead of the student. The videos will be used as an aid to illustrate the topic you are focusing on.
Key points to remember (not all may apply)
- How & Why is this issue (person (s), subject…) important for Mass Communication
- Illustrate the key points that impact the issues in your topic.
- The presentation should have a thesis title that encompasses the scope of the topic being addressed
- Is this issue empowering, discriminatory, unjust, illegal…? Why?
- What can be learned from this issue/ or subject.
- Has the topic been covered thoroughly, or are there gaps in the information?
- Are you being fair and giving a balanced report on these issues?
- Is there evidence or studies to support the information?
- Have you cited your sources?
- Is this long enough? Or does it need to be adjusted?
- Has history changed or impacted your topic?
- Do you need to have images, video clips?,
- Would a PowerPoint to give a better presentation? Will links work during presentation?
Final presentation checklist items
Some Key aspects to keep in mind in creating your presentation:- How & Why is this issue- (person (s), subject…) important for Mass Communication/Mass Media
- Illustrate the key points that impact the issues in your topic.
- Have a clear. logical and understandable direction with information presented.
- The presentation should have a thesis title and statement that encompasses the scope of the topic being addressed
- Is this issue empowering, discriminatory, unjust, illegal…? Why?
- What can be learned from this issue/ or subject.
- Has the topic been covered thoroughly, or are there gaps in the information?
- Has history changed or impacted your topic? Did something happen in courts or business dealings to change anything?
- Are you being fair and giving a balanced report on these issues?
- Is there evidence or studies to support the information?
- Who created these studies? Is there any bias?
- Have you cited your sources?
- Is this long enough? Or does it need to be adjusted
- Do you need to have images, video clips to illustrate points?
- Will links work during presentation?
- Print out copy of presentation to hand in on day of presentation.
There are many things to think about with creating a presentation- these are a few checklist items that are relevant for a sucessful presentation.
This link is for the final Presentation Submission- Due 12/2
400 TOTAL POINTS
Clear Argument/ thesis statement/Building on ideas | 100/100 |
Content/information in presentation
| 150/150 |
Organization/Structure | 100/100 |
Writing | 50/50 |