My Culture in the Media

RTVF 110 My Culture in Media Instructions

Assignment Overview

In your paper, you will identify a recurring narrative about your chosen social group (you want to make a specific claim designed to influence your reader’s opinion on the topic). More specifically, you want to identify media narratives that are framing your group in a potentially negative or harmful manner (or, if not necessarily negative, steers discourse in a less than productive fashion). You could identify key portrayals or images that are often associated with the group, or you could simply examine the way the group is being framed. In your paper, you will:

1. Establish which social group (this can be based on age, gender, race, sexual orientation, occupation, hobbies, etc.) you are identifying with for this essay (it needs to be a group that you belong to)

2. Provide examples of existing stereotypes (two or three, but no more) about that group

3. Examine “media as conveyors of social information.” Provide three examples of shows, movies, videos (YouTube, TikTok, etc.), or video games, etc. that potentially reinforce these group stereotypes. Indicate whether your provided evidence is corporate or grassroots level content, and touch on how that might factor into potential audience effects. Meaning, TikTok videos, for example, might be functioning more as a response to, or commentary upon, stereotypical portrayals that are produced by corporate media outlets. Differentiate between the perpetuation of stereotypes, and commentary of them, as needed. Provide evidence/content analysis to support your claims.

4. Explore potential audience effects as a result of these portrayals. Explain while using appropriate terminology from class, and think in terms of audience characteristics (are the portrayals accurate, fair, do they promote harmony or conflict, etc.). 

5. Establish why it is important to discuss these types of portrayals, and what potential effects they could have on assumptions about you as a member of the social group you are writing about

Assignment Requirements:

1) Paper should be 750-1000 words or approximately 3-4 pages in length (not including your works cited page). 

2) Paper must incorporate two or three (no more than three) theories that have been discussed in class (including definitions/explanations and appropriate applications).

3) Include a “notes” page, which can include photos, observations about characters, etc. 

4) Paper should include a works cited page formatted in accordance with MLA guidelines that lists your references. 

“Notes” Example:

These are the casts of Big Bang Theory (top) Silicon Valley (bottom). There seem to be some similarities and patterns in these representations of those in the tech/science sector. You have the guy with glasses, the (one) Indian (although, the character in Silicon Valley is Pakistani), the hoody…brainy, quirky, and socially awkward. None appear to be the epitome of physical fitness.