Overview
For this week's project step we will begin digging into the theoretical tool sets you can use to examine mass media to gain a better understanding of otherwise difficult to perceive ideas and dynamics taking place across society. When it comes to social science and media studies, these theoretical perspectives represent a starting point for deciphering the world using creativity and the data available to us. They also represent points of shared understanding through which we can engage with others, serving as a foundation for communicating our insights and findings. The basic idea of applying theory to better understand the world works like this: -> A theory is a general idea for trying to explain observations in the world. Then we test it across many examples to see if it holds up. If it holds up and keeps holding up then we can use it as a "lens" for looking at the world to make new claims about what's going on. Think of it like a filter or net for finding new ideas in what we see. The difference between a theory and an example is a theory is general while an example is case specific. -> Data is a set of information collected about a specific topic question. When we ask a question in social science one of the challenges is gathering the right data and enough of it to answer that question. This is challenging! How to know when you have enough data? How do you go out into the world and collect this information well and with minimal bias? These are questions both scientists and reporters ask all the time. One of the keys is to acknowledge the limitations of your data and only make claims within reason based on what you have available. -> Analysis is the result of using theory to examine data with a topic or question in mind. For example, a popular theory in the social justice world is called critical race theory, which claims that powerful political, cultural and economic forces create unequal access to social and material benefits along lines of race, culture, and national origin. As a theory, this is a general idea, one that has been explored in many contexts. This theory is also the foundation of an idea called environmental racism, used to describe situations where lower income and often non-white groups bear a disproportionate burden of pollution or degradation, such as in the Flint Michigan water crisis (Links to an external site.). This link to a New York Times article (partial summary vid here) uses the idea of environmental racism to analyze, explain and surface a hidden dynamic in this awful situation, as Flint is home to lower income and African American populations. The reporters used a pubic release of the governor's emails as data to show that race was not being acknowledged as a possible factor in this situation, begging the question - would the it be so bad if this were taking place is a wealthy white community? This is an example of how a theory, used alongside data, can lead to analysis which shows us more than meets the eye on the surface - and can help to inform how we might change the world for the better. As shown here, these tools can help us compose media campaigns and popular communications as well as social science! Whereas for school and academic writing we cite these ideas directly, in a scientific methods section for example, in popular media writing and campaigning we can use these points of awareness to communicate with diverse audiences - influencing and informing others more like a magician who never reveals their tricks. Let's get started!