last updated 9/26/2011

MID-TERM EXAM STUDY GUIDE

   The 1st exam will be composed of questions and topics taken from the material described below.  Nothing will appear on the test that is not mentioned on the study guide.  There will be some terms to define and one, two or three essay questions. The essay questions (all questions below except #4) will appear on the exam in the exact form they are shown here.
   The exam will be open-book, open notes.  Because of the fact you will have resources available, I will expect your answers will be well-organized, original and thoughtful - not mere regurgitation - and I will grade accordingly.  If you merely repeat information that is on the web or in the Jamieson text you will not do especially well.
 

1.      Describe the 4 eras of media development (based on Haynes essay), indicating and explaining the characteristics of each era and the relationship of dominate medium to governement ans social structure.  Then indicate your expectations of what will change in our society as a result of our recent move to digital/electronic media as the dominate form.  (course notes & web page)

2.      Explain the theory, “ $ + TECHNOLOGY --> CONTENT,” as a method that accounts for the nature of content in a particular medium at a particular time.  Illustrate how this theory explains types of content in at least two specific, extended examples (e.g. content such as music videos, stories of violence in 19th Century newpapers, partisan attack essays in 18th century newspapers, rock and roll, blog sites on the web, etc.)  (course notes & web page).

3.  Taking a news story you are familiar with, describe what you imagine must have occurred as that story tracks it's way through the "Model of Media / Political Interpretation" as a way of explaining the model and the way it works.  Be sure you define and illustrate each of the 6 steps (three for media and three for citizens) and all of the included terms on the model.

4.  Terms to define (in two or three sentences):  Primary Orality, Elite Literacy, Mass Literacy, penny press, interpretive themes (or schemata), hard news, soft news, pre-packaged news. on-the-record, not-for-attribution, check-quotes, deep background, off-the-record, conscious experience, predispositions, market/audience segmentation, behavioral targeting, product/candidate recognition, (candidate) image.

5.  Discuss "What Makes News 'News.' "  In your answer use specific examples of news stories to account for why a story may be "news" in some locations, or in some media or in some time periods, and not in others.

6.  Construct an essay that explains the six steps (skip step 7) for the process of influencing media to give favorable news coverage to a campaign by Monmouth students to repeal the city ordinance that prohibits individuals between the ages of 18 and 21 from being in bars.  (see Jamieson text, pp. 279-281).

7.  Discuss the degree to which you think commercial advertising distorts social reality and give concrete examples of ads that illustrate your points.

8.  When a candidate feels it is appropriate to use attacks against his/her opponent, discuss what factors should influence the candidate's type of attack.  Then explain what an attacked candidate should consider in determining how to respond to attacks.