LearningCurve for adaptive quizzing for the chapter.
The “Browse Resources for this Unit” tab to view videos illustrating key concepts.
Take notes as you watch one of your usual TV programs. What are some underlying messages of the story or the events? What are the values and traits of the characters you like the most and the least? Are they stereotypical? If so, what would a nonstereotypical character actually look like?
Compare the news coverage for a political controversy on the Web sites of Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, NPR, and the wire services (AP and Reuters). What are the similarities? What are the differences? Then check the Web sites for both Media Matters for America and Media Research Center (or its offshoot, NewsBusters), and see how each of these media watchdogs criticizes the coverage. What biases do the watchdogs themselves seem to spout?
Think of a controversial issue about which you have very strong opinions. Write one paragraph describing the key problem and its main causes, taking care to present your information as objectively as possible, and then send it to a few friends. Can they detect where you stand on the issue based on the way you have presented your message? Have you really remained objective? Is it possible to inform without some bias when it comes to divisive issues?
List your five favorite TV shows. What do they have in common? Are these the same top five that your friends would list? Why or why not? What is it specifically that you like about these shows? What needs are being met by watching them? How do you think they affect you?