In order to graduate at the end of the summer, I needed 3 more credits and a minimum of a B to do so. Therefore, I decided that I would look at all the courses offered at the University of Ottawa at the 1st and 2nd year level and I would chose what seemed the most interesting and least difficult.
After looking around for a little while I came across this; CMN 1160 – Introduction to Media Studies. The course description given was as follows “Study of the basic concepts in Media Studies. Socio-historical study of major media and new technologies in communication and their effects on individuals and society.” So I decided to give it a try.
After the first class, so far so good. The professor’s name is Dr. Michael Strangelove, The course is for 6 weeks and there are 3 large assignments. The first is to write a blog after each class, the second is to make a video research documentary and the third is a final exam. Pretty straight forward.
The class began discussing how the economic system is a communication system as well as a patterning system. The economic system communicates to consumers a certain “style” to buy in to. There are only a select number of “styles” and these “styles” are communicated through the media and are pushed down consumer’s throats in order for them to purchase items that reflect the “style” that they have chosen. This leads to a loss of diversity. People either fall in to the Paris Hilton style, the punk style, the “gangsta” style or any other style promoted by the media in order for the economic system to profit.
So far, Dr. Strangelove you have my attention.
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