Media consumption (e.g., TV, Movies, Radio, Music, etc.) is the number one leisure activity in the United States. Media have a profound influence on shaping the ways in which we see ourselves and others and how we interact with others. Sometimes the representations of individuals and groups are accurate, but more often than not, the representations aren’t fully accurate and may, in fact, be based more on stereotypes than reality. The lens through which each of us views ourselves and each other is based on our position and privilege or conversely, our lack of privilege in society and because of various aspects of identity – race, gender expression, age, income, ability, disability, chronic illness, religion, etc. Given that media consumption is the number one leisure activity and that media have such a profound impact on us as individuals in society, this assignment will provide you with an opportunity:
• to analyze and discuss issues of leisure and media consumption
• to analyze and discuss your own media consumption
• to analyze and discuss how different individuals are represented in the media you consume and
• analyze and discuss the relationship between media consumption and leisure.
Part I: Media Consumption Time Log
Track your previous five days of your media using this form, which will be included in the final paper. This log should not be included in the total word count.
Media Consumption Time Log
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Total # of Hours per Medium
Television
Movies-Streaming/DVDs
Radio
Podcasts
Music
Social Media -- FB, Snapchat, Instagram, etc.
Other
Total hours per day
Part II: Overall Writing Assignment:
Write an essay (1,000 words) about how your media consumption has influenced:
• How you see yourself
• How you see others
• How you see the world
The essay should have the following:
• Introductory paragraph with a thesis statements: The purpose of this essay is to discuss x, y and z. This essay will focus on x, y and z points.
• A brief section of the essay where you reflect on your media consumption Time Log:
o “How much” or “how little” media you consumed during the week and discuss the extent to which this is a typical week and if it not typical, why not.
o What does a typical week of media consumption look like for you?
o Share any surprises you found from your media consumption for the week.
• A substantial section of the essay where you analyze and discuss:
o How different individuals are represented in the media you consume and/or you can comment on who is not represented in the media you consume:
Please choose at least three aspects of identity to discuss--race, gender expression, age, sexual identity, disability, chronic illness, economic status, religion—and explain whether the representations that you see and hear in the media that you consume are accurate, inaccurate, and/or based on stereotypes, myths and/or misinformation. Which stereotypes, myths and misinformation is being included and how does that influence how we see ourselves, other people and the world? If you think it's an accurate representation, please explain why you think it's accurate.