CHAPTER REVIEW

COMMON THREADS

In telling the story of mass media, several plotlines and major themes recur and help provide the big picture—the larger context for understanding the links between forms of mass media and popular culture. Under each thread that follows, we pose a set of questions that we will investigate together to help you explore media and culture:

KEY TERMS

The definitions for the terms listed below can be found in the glossary at the end of the book. The page numbers listed with the terms indicate where the term is highlighted in the chapter.

communication, 6

culture, 6

mass media, 6

mass communication, 6

digital communication, 8

senders, 9

messages, 9

mass media channel, 9

receivers, 9

gatekeepers, 9

feedback, 9

selective exposure, 10

convergence, 11

cross platform, 12

narrative, 14

high culture, 17

low culture, 17

modern period, 26

Progressive Era, 27

postmodern period, 27

media literacy, 30

critical process, 30

description, 32

analysis, 32

interpretation, 32

evaluation, 33

engagement, 33

35

REVIEW QUESTIONS

Culture and the Evolution of Mass Communication

  1. Question 1.1

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    Define culture, mass communication, and mass media, and explain their interrelationships.
  2. Question 1.2

    gtnitDgab66/KsUqi1Yn3hnDwh1FFQjjwI4EWj8H+PfIcK6eyxRQ1FAy1TKfQRno0grnJZ6sjaVEGC5yxTk6gZVDHDdsbUyWHjR1LfEzicOza/RwL3nuemS29UHc02CSWcUpeWNR8nX+dMcR+BV66MKzmyifrofya5bg3v1sw1E8PivDkzcukRNkVHQ=
    What key technological breakthroughs accompanied the transition to the print and electronic eras? Why were these changes significant?
  3. Question 1.3

    7R2DZLXcyRhI8CU+NZtLZj5Q6A4XJXY7hB28j+qncXbP1LSLGWkebCV8xCJOH61ZDKJaoXK3qSF62Ah6EU8IX9MNl/asD0bc
    Explain the linear model of mass communication and its limitations.

The Development of Media and Their Role in Our Society

  1. Question 1.4

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    Describe the development of a mass medium from emergence to convergence.
  2. Question 1.5

    IWDpT+a69XZfR7l6Jr3q5xq/sGiUgx2ZJUjyeG7PfCkCP5loed2fVZpnUnU6yS/MP9TLd8iG4d9ExLK1GdZN3+bSnROqlY8YME8XqQG4BMLqr2ngJ53OtVAvhX8x/g6IxbXFO3nJiiJaE1qhbCZuJ7Jpy+t8sXvAifi5gYJXWUT3RWP6
    In looking at the history of popular culture, explain why newer and emerging forms of media seem to threaten status quo values.

Surveying the Cultural Landscape

  1. Question 1.6

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    Describe the skyscraper model of culture. What are its strengths and limitations?
  2. Question 1.7

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    Describe the map model of culture. What are its strengths and limitations?
  3. Question 1.8

    /OP8QshO8CPEMOMGUKNSQYNEiaQtQYTXxUWfRa3gi5IEicbNVbhtv6xOKBTc0c+XAZ1knErUr4tT5ToZAKmyHCywJDJuJmPK
    What are the chief differences between modern and postmodern values?

Critiquing Media and Culture

  1. Question 1.9

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    What are the five steps in the critical process? Which of these is the most difficult, and why?
  2. Question 1.10

    smBPNWUBcs0SSSDur1M/uvqS4t54SsVgC2WVk+S7spcpe5h5alPNol+zN3kkKLTf5FKyrnXWrJq6MvWv
    What is the difference between cynicism and criticism?
  3. Question 1.11

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    Why is the critical process important?

QUESTIONING THE MEDIA

  1. Question 1.12

    O9jQFBNWvFpa1vTMW26faD1Q4AMl+BI6CGscuPmPoarGShaB1FRcyTXNj5eVZsYkxeSQBoA/SIJkidnB0KQPcb9qlszpjrPvBp3ejrN9xCVCC+I/a7xgw9Sbvc9lbYQNEt+OQeoNuoxscJ/8pPpuNah3fnSwiSQxiWTjHQmeaFTUlBElWXpStqz4wSvi6bn0BY1pFo4VtEfMouRPqy+eAQRHI0twD2iQQtPKGnW0EnhvazaYC6RNUGloLHphrKisALqxW5C73n01obKjavPCF3VDeyMzBlv3cDU8+ew0xjI6PCXI/KGyduJryxJ6zua2uzkdYLQYOQ2syiH3y78CfTf9wtjq5NpJNJ98dFjsOA1DWDZrp+tUPBSIGlAahmvPnn2p86eq227DiBfr00xocvK1nY1jAX7wGiZsuMrbo9NZLqHdyTTxq9oKbZkTfSbr+/zbsQC5dQjStvkZy1/H6d3mf0IxRfzbWHWBmQ==
    Drawing on your experience, list the kinds of media stories you like and dislike. You might think mostly of movies and TV shows, but remember that news, sports, political ads, and product ads are also usually structured as stories. Conversations on Facebook can also be considered narratives. What kinds of stories do you like and dislike on Facebook, and why?
  2. Question 1.13

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    Cite some examples in which the media have been accused of unfairness. Draw on comments from parents, teachers, religious leaders, friends, news media, and so on. Discuss whether these criticisms have been justified.
  3. Question 1.14

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    Pick an example of a popular media product that you think is harmful to children. How would you make your concerns known? Should the product be removed from circulation? Why or why not? If you think the product should be banned, how would you do so?
  4. Question 1.15

    0slUYmp0ymPLCFDUCqZWPBKz+HuL6QHRSwpYcBbZaYFQJBZUhG9dTkXvUJ2rF8pZZzTLpG6tqHR1hB25mVGYrDFefr2n1E3BWEntfo7esi31ZnDGVH36I45UIGV3Pq+kS/nbvPv5MMHugA0P/MT/Ud+eh2UMmKMFypKnCf00+Hg9XvKZ1LDTsZ1NmXlPFN90EBHZYwUyNX1RKaDIA4oyZX39oYTpjxg+kOgfOHVd9TO6o434qBVfv9bQ1ylHEGFUsq7VTB/dwTDfUEz1luos6ZYLgLNOZjWtG/EDQJ6ZC2nRik/PEOm8g1dQWdLspz9QujZw2M9Qoik5Gsofi4lmp6glG5WltxqrJ7jXDZzcRrovpNTkTqizXVrh5d3j7hdhQyHCSH/pCm5R/xuTiE7tR6l5kkJGShhani1+wiiippCqwLdJSUbr3K5EbPhL9OsPN7bRdpM50zaYJR8MDWEmL2k2Dzgp/cr1l0Z2POWpuKQ=
    Make a critical case either defending or condemning Comedy Central’s South Park, a TV or radio talk show, a hip-hop group, a soap opera, or TV news coverage of the ongoing wars in the Middle East. Use the five-step critical process to develop your position.
  5. Question 1.16

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    Although in some ways postmodern forms of communication, such as e-mail, MTV, smartphones, and Twitter, have helped citizens participate in global life, in what ways might these forms harm more traditional or native cultures?

LAUNCHPAD FOR MEDIA & CULTURE