Question 1

Synthesize what you have learned about media and society in this course through the writing of this final paper about music and its influences. Music is a medium that has shaped the ages. As noted throughout your texts, social movements have existed and evolved through many methods and vehicles. Music is one of those vehicles and music represents more than entertainment. It has spoken for generations and exemplified belief systems.

For your final paper assignment, you are to write a 3-4 page research essay (excluding APA title page, appendix, and reference sheet or bibliography) that addresses the following questions and contexts. In this paper, explore the relationship of music to each decade from the 1960s through 2000-2010. Your paper should discuss high profile events or movements that happened in each decade and for each decade pick a song that personifies or represents the primary “mood” of the decade. In the essay:

1. cite examples of how activism and social justice are exemplified through music
2. show how technology and social media influenced the listener’s reactions

The summary portion of the essay (perhaps at least 3/4 page of the entire essay) should draw connections between the decades and synthesize your findings. For instance, discuss what are commonalities of movements and people who are represented throughout the decades? Are these songs anthems for each decade or do the stand the test of time with other generations? Are there common threads that connect some decades with others?

Grading Guidelines

• identify events in each decade
• explain how events are connected to what the song represents
• show how lyrics are used in the messaging (if full lyrics are used in the paper, they must be attached as an appendix and do not count in the 3-4 total pages)
• help justify your opinions with 3-5 credible sources with proper source citation throughout the paper and in the bibliography
• utilize terminology from the course readings when applicable
• show how technology and social media or other media outlets influenced the listener’s reactions
• appropriate grammar and structure; college-level writing
• the summary is an appropriate length and draws connections between the decades and synthesizes the findings, such as what are the commonalities of the movements and people represented and addresses the question, “are these songs only anthems for each individual decade or do they also provide representation for and transfer to, other generations and decades?

The essay should be in 12pt type and must be properly cited throughout the paper in APA format. Support your responses with research from the Learning Resources. Use APA in-text citations where necessary and cite any outside sources. Create an APA Reference List or Bibliography at the end of the document.

Support your responses with research from the Learning Resources. Use APA in-text citations where necessary, and cite any outside sources that you use. Class reading resources should be a primary source, but you are welcome to use outside resources too. Create an APA Bibliography/ Reference Sheet at the end of your document.

Question 2

After studying both of the assigned readings, Chapter 55: Media Portrayals and Representations and 21^st Century Communication: A Reference Handbook: Chapter 57: Agenda Setting and Framing, answer the following questions and prompts regarding your favorite program or other chosen media content. NOTE: All questions must have support from any class reading resources with in-text citations and APA format.

1. What device do you most often use for your favorite program watching or other chosen media? Do you agree that you favor the device that gives you access to the information and programming that most meets your needs?

2. How does the program meet your specific needs and goals? Who else do you know that also seeks out this programming (movie, tv, radio show, game) and do they do so for the same reasons as you? Why are their uses of this programming similar or different from your own?

3. What does this program or other media tell you about your place in the world in relation to how much access you have to things you want in the “real” world? When you are stressed out, do you turn to this programming more or less? Why?

4. What does this programming tell you about people who are different from you in terms of race, age, sexual orientation, political beliefs, socio-economic status, gender, religion or nationality? Are they portrayed in a positive or negative light? What kinds of power do they have?

The response should be in 12pt type, at least 1-1.5 pages in length, double-spaced. I suggest that you make sure that you have information on the second page to be safe and avoid loss of points.

Support your responses with research from the Learning Resources. Use APA in-text citations where necessary, and cite any outside sources that you use. Class reading resources should be a primary source, but you are welcome to use outside resources too. Create an APA Bibliography/ Reference Sheet at the end of your document.

Submit your response in the file submission area for this assignment. Add an APA formatted title page and a reference sheet. If you choose to “add a file” by attaching a MSWord document, please also copy and paste your response into the comments area.

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