What is a media analysis?

What is a media analysis? Definitions: “The examination, interpretation and critique of both the material content of the channels of media of communication and the structure, composition and operations of corporations that either own or control those media. Media, in this sense, refers to what used to be called the mass media, the means of communication of information to large numbers of people – television, radio and newspapers. It now encompasses multimedia, the electronic networks of communication made available by the Internet.” Why is it important to analyze media? The reason that students should critically analyze media is because it enables them to think about others in relation to themselves. So having students analyze media sources is helping them to think about the world around them, and how they can participate, contribute, and understand their society. What media landscapes can be analyzed? Media analysis focuses on one specific area: the media landscape. This landscape consists of editorial media – online aggregation sites, news articles, investigative features, opinion columns, letters to the editor, radio broadcasts, etc. – as well as social media, such as Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Of course it can extend far beyond this as well such as print media (books, magazines, newspapers), television, movies, video games, music, internet, etc. Objectives: Through this exercise students should Develop practice at analyzing a mediated or rhetorical text using basic terms introduced in class, especially (but not limited to) a critical framework. Demonstrate abilities at developing a limited focus at a text (that is, developing a cohesive essay that looks at related concepts in substantial depth for a roughly 4-5 pp. double-spaced paper). Demonstrate the ability to create tentative conclusions and possible directions for research from analysis of a mediated/rhetorical text. Details: Summary: In this assignment, you will provide a critical analysis of the cultural, interpersonal and/or ideological assumptions behind a popular TV series, film, YouTube channel, newspapers, etc. For example, this might be about the construction of American masculinity in Fight Club, about the representation of gender in “Co-Ed Naked” t-shirts, or about the images of racial and ethnic identity in Tommy Hilfiger clothing ads (or some other text of your choice). You can also choose a rhetorical text, such as a speech by a politician. Since this is an interpersonal communication class you do *not* need to be limited to “cultural representation” texts. For example, you could do an analysis of an insurance pamphlet or commercial or a postmodern analysis of definitions of the “ideal” relationship in a romance movie. In addition, a media and film studies analysis might explain the evolution of a same-sex friendship by examining a cinematic text. For example, you could trace the development of the main friendship in the movie Thelma and Louise to discover how certain events or gender stereotypes affect the relationship between the two female characters. You can feel free to incorporate tools learned in other classes to do your analysis, or you can follow the model of our class. The goal is to analyze how the media represents people from different ethnic backgrounds on primetime television shows or movies of today. Choose an element of interpersonal communication (or up to three elements), and analyze the communication of the people in the media item you’ve chosen. How does the communication affect them, and how does it reflect (or not) our society today? You’ll need to research the cultural implications of the media. What have other researchers said about the media you’ve chosen? Are there stereotypes present? Here is a basic format designed for a media analysis (which is a qualitative research method): Introduction: you will want to begin with a catchy intro that briefly introduces the topic and provides a rationale for the analysis of the text (follow the outline template I gave you). Methods/Approach and Materials: summarize the approach you will take, identifying any key terms that you will use (look at example provided). If you choose to introduce the approach briefly but define key terms as you go, that is also acceptable (method summary might then appear in the overview paragraph). Results/Analysis/Findings: Much of the paper should be devoted to a clearly organized, thoughtful analysis. You can take any lens you want, though we mostly introduced interpersonal and cultural studies, you may use other critical lenses as well. This is where you report the findings of your study based upon the information gathered as a result of the methodology [or methodologies] you applied. Discussion/ Conclusion: After you interpret and explain your results, you need to answer your research question (thesis), justify your approach, and critically evaluate your study.