Category: Media

ur viewing and assignment this week will begin to focus explicitly on utopian an

ur viewing and assignment this week will begin to focus explicitly on utopian an

ur viewing and assignment this week will begin to focus explicitly on utopian and dystopian representations of media and technology.
The following, from read, write, think (link below), defines and describes dystopias and their characteristics. It also includes types of dystopian controls and dystopian protagonists that can be found in film, television, and literature.
After watching this week’s viewing, 15 Million Merits, can you identify how the episode’s narrative matches the descriiption below?
Dystopias: Definition and Characteristics
Utopia: A place, state, or condition that is ideally perfect in respect of politics, laws, customs, and conditions.
Dystopia: A futuristic, imagined universe in which oppressive societal control and the illusion of a perfect society are maintained through corporate, bureaucratic, technological, moral, or totalitarian control.
Dystopias, through an exaggerated worst-case scenario, make a criticism about a current trend, societal norm, or political system.
Characteristics of a Dystopian Society:
• Propaganda is used to control the citizens of society.
• Information, independent thought, and freedom are restricted.
• A figurehead or concept is worshipped by the citizens of the society.
• Citizens are perceived to be under constant surveillance.
• Citizens have a fear of the outside world.
• Citizens live in a dehumanized state.
• The natural world is banished and distrusted.
• Citizens conform to uniform expectations.
• Individuality and dissent are bad.
• The society is an illusion of a perfect utopian world.
Types of Dystopian Controls:
Most dystopian works present a world in which oppressive societal control and the illusion of a perfect society are maintained through one or more of the following types of controls:
• Corporate control: One or more large corporations control society through products, advertising, and/or the media. Examples include Minority Report and Running Man.
• Bureaucratic control: Society is controlled by a mindless bureaucracy through a tangle of red tape, relentless regulations, and incompetent government officials. Examples in film include Brazil.
• Technological control: Society is controlled by technology—through computers, robots, and/or scientific means. Examples include The Matrix, The Terminator, and I, Robot.
• Philosophical/religious control: Society is controlled by philosophical or religious ideology often enforced through a dictatorship or theocratic government.
The Dystopian Protagonist:
• often feels trapped and is struggling to escape.
• questions the existing social and political systems.
• believes or feels that something is terribly wrong with the society in which he or she lives.
• helps the audience recognizes the negative aspects of the dystopian world through his or her perspective.
http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson_images/lesson926/DefinitionCharacteristics.pdf

15 Million Merits takes us fast forward from Postman’s chapter 4 into a world where information glut and technology have “. . .called into being a new world,” “a peek-a-boo world” (p. 70). In the last paragraph of chapter 4 we are reminded by Bacon that we have “replaced the idea of human progress with the idea of technological progress” (p. 70). We are accommodating ourselves to new technologies.
Here is a list of main characters to assist you in your assignment:
Bing Madsen (protagonist)
Swift
Abi
Dustin
Selma
Judge Hope
Judge Charity
Judge Wraith
In this episode we see Bing enslaved by technology in a world that appears to be even beyond Technopoly, where everyone must serve technology. There is an absence of anything real or authentic and it seems that the world revolves around advertising and consuming, whether that be consuming merits or consuming goods. Refer to this week’s assignment for next steps and enjoy the episode!
Assignment:
View 15 Million Merits:

Write: Total of approximately 750 words – INCLUDE your full word count at the end of your assignment for full credit. THANKS!

Briefly give your explanation of Bing’s dystopian world in 15 Million Merits. What exactly is going on? Approximately 200 words.

Identify and explain two major dystopian themes in the episode. Do not just refer to a scene or a particular happening, rather identify over-arching themes that run throughout the episode that are reflected in a variety of scenes. Offer scenes or happenings as examples of themes, not themes themselves. Use the definitions and characteristics of dystopias in the Introduction to this unit to help you.
Approximately 250 words.

Connect each of the two themes to Postman’s concept of Technopoly. Consider the beginnings of Technopoly as he explains it (the Scopes’ Monkey Trial, Taylor’s Principles of Scientific Management), the idea of human beings as objects or the idea that “. . .society is best served when human beings are placed at the disposal of their techniques and technology, that human beings are, in a sense, worth less than their machinery. He and his followers described exactly what this means, and hailed their discovery as the beginnings of a brave new world” (chapter 3, p. 52). Approximately 250 words.

Please see attached instructions from the professor. Please follow the template

Please see attached instructions from the professor. Please follow the template

Please see attached instructions from the professor. Please follow the template in the attachment to complete the assignment. For part B, you can select any topic of your choice, within US or Canada, however, please do not choose Donald Trump’s assassination attempt story as I have already wrote a paper on that for a recent assignment.
For part A, please note that my main field of study is in the Early Childhood Education program (ECE) which is working with children. You can select any topic of your choosing but please try to select a related current event within Ontario Canada, if possible.
Please do not use and AI tools as the professor will check! Feel free to reach out with any questions or need further clarification on anything.
Thank you!

ur viewing and assignment this week will begin to focus explicitly on utopian an

ur viewing and assignment this week will begin to focus explicitly on utopian an

ur viewing and assignment this week will begin to focus explicitly on utopian and dystopian representations of media and technology.
The following, from read, write, think (link below), defines and describes dystopias and their characteristics. It also includes types of dystopian controls and dystopian protagonists that can be found in film, television, and literature.
After watching this week’s viewing, 15 Million Merits, can you identify how the episode’s narrative matches the descriiption below?
Dystopias: Definition and Characteristics
Utopia: A place, state, or condition that is ideally perfect in respect of politics, laws, customs, and conditions.
Dystopia: A futuristic, imagined universe in which oppressive societal control and the illusion of a perfect society are maintained through corporate, bureaucratic, technological, moral, or totalitarian control.
Dystopias, through an exaggerated worst-case scenario, make a criticism about a current trend, societal norm, or political system.
Characteristics of a Dystopian Society:
• Propaganda is used to control the citizens of society.
• Information, independent thought, and freedom are restricted.
• A figurehead or concept is worshipped by the citizens of the society.
• Citizens are perceived to be under constant surveillance.
• Citizens have a fear of the outside world.
• Citizens live in a dehumanized state.
• The natural world is banished and distrusted.
• Citizens conform to uniform expectations.
• Individuality and dissent are bad.
• The society is an illusion of a perfect utopian world.
Types of Dystopian Controls:
Most dystopian works present a world in which oppressive societal control and the illusion of a perfect society are maintained through one or more of the following types of controls:
• Corporate control: One or more large corporations control society through products, advertising, and/or the media. Examples include Minority Report and Running Man.
• Bureaucratic control: Society is controlled by a mindless bureaucracy through a tangle of red tape, relentless regulations, and incompetent government officials. Examples in film include Brazil.
• Technological control: Society is controlled by technology—through computers, robots, and/or scientific means. Examples include The Matrix, The Terminator, and I, Robot.
• Philosophical/religious control: Society is controlled by philosophical or religious ideology often enforced through a dictatorship or theocratic government.
The Dystopian Protagonist:
• often feels trapped and is struggling to escape.
• questions the existing social and political systems.
• believes or feels that something is terribly wrong with the society in which he or she lives.
• helps the audience recognizes the negative aspects of the dystopian world through his or her perspective.
http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson_images/lesson926/DefinitionCharacteristics.pdf

15 Million Merits takes us fast forward from Postman’s chapter 4 into a world where information glut and technology have “. . .called into being a new world,” “a peek-a-boo world” (p. 70). In the last paragraph of chapter 4 we are reminded by Bacon that we have “replaced the idea of human progress with the idea of technological progress” (p. 70). We are accommodating ourselves to new technologies.
Here is a list of main characters to assist you in your assignment:
Bing Madsen (protagonist)
Swift
Abi
Dustin
Selma
Judge Hope
Judge Charity
Judge Wraith
In this episode we see Bing enslaved by technology in a world that appears to be even beyond Technopoly, where everyone must serve technology. There is an absence of anything real or authentic and it seems that the world revolves around advertising and consuming, whether that be consuming merits or consuming goods. Refer to this week’s assignment for next steps and enjoy the episode!
Assignment:
View 15 Million Merits:

Write: Total of approximately 750 words – INCLUDE your full word count at the end of your assignment for full credit. THANKS!

Briefly give your explanation of Bing’s dystopian world in 15 Million Merits. What exactly is going on? Approximately 200 words.

Identify and explain two major dystopian themes in the episode. Do not just refer to a scene or a particular happening, rather identify over-arching themes that run throughout the episode that are reflected in a variety of scenes. Offer scenes or happenings as examples of themes, not themes themselves. Use the definitions and characteristics of dystopias in the Introduction to this unit to help you.
Approximately 250 words.

Connect each of the two themes to Postman’s concept of Technopoly. Consider the beginnings of Technopoly as he explains it (the Scopes’ Monkey Trial, Taylor’s Principles of Scientific Management), the idea of human beings as objects or the idea that “. . .society is best served when human beings are placed at the disposal of their techniques and technology, that human beings are, in a sense, worth less than their machinery. He and his followers described exactly what this means, and hailed their discovery as the beginnings of a brave new world” (chapter 3, p. 52). Approximately 250 words.

Using the last 2020 US political election campaign Between Trump and Biden as a

Using the last 2020 US political election campaign Between Trump and Biden as a

Using the last 2020 US political election campaign Between Trump and Biden as a case study.
The essay should start with what the Political PR industry is .
The history of the Political PR industry in the US.
Then critically discuss the 2000 US political election PR campaign(Democrats and Republicans) Between Trump and Biden with examples.
This essay should demonstrate how Media, power and politics are working in this campaign
Core books: An Introduction to Political Communication
Book by Brian McNair 2017 6th edition

PROMPT: Offer an analysis of genre (Monster Movie, Comedy, Action, Horror, etc.)

PROMPT:
Offer an analysis of genre (Monster Movie, Comedy, Action, Horror, etc.)

PROMPT:
Offer an analysis of genre (Monster Movie, Comedy, Action, Horror, etc.) in the film to argue if The Host is an illustration of hybridity as defined by the course material. Choose one scene in which you see a genre convention shaping the meaning of the film. Briefly explain how your example supports or undermines viewing The Host as an example of hybridity or contraflow. In your response, make one reference to Klein’s study of Korean film (attached). Only needs to be around 3 paragraphs or around 250 words. SAMPLE ANSWER:
Bong Joon-ho’s “The Host” is an example of hybridity in the territory of film genres, blending elements of monster movies, comedy, action, and horror. The film challenges traditional genre boundaries, contributing to the concept of hybridity.
One significant scene occurs when the Park family gathers at the funeral home after the creature’s initial attack at the Han River. In this scene, Bong Joon-ho mixes elements of family drama and societal critique with the ongoing monster threat. The family’s dynamics and interactions provide a strong emotional core to the narrative, emphasizing the importance of familial bonds in Korean culture. At the same time, the looming danger of the creature adds a layer of suspense and horror to the scene.
The blend of family drama and monster movie conventions in this scene highlights the film’s hybridity. Instead of following a conventional monster movie format that prioritizes action and suspense, Bong Joon-ho adds personal and emotional elements, offering a unique portrayal of the Park family’s struggles during the chaos. This scene contributes to the concept of contraflow by challenging traditional genre expectations. Rather than adhering strictly to Western genre conventions, Bong Joon-ho incorporates cultural specificity and social commentary into the narrative. Klein’s study of Korean film emphasizes how these unique cultural elements reshape and redefine established genres, providing a new perspective. He states that “Bong thus occupies a middle ground in his relationship with Hollywood, neither blindly emulating its conventions for the sake of profit nor wholly rejecting them in favor of some notion of cultural authenticity or art” (Klein pp 873). In “The Host,” the emphasis on family dynamics, societal critique, and emotional depth within a monster movie framework aligns with Klein’s notion of contraflow. The film goes beyond the typical monster movie formula, introducing it with Korean cultural elements and social commentary, contributing to the diversity of global cinema.

PROMPT: Offer an analysis of genre (Monster Movie, Comedy, Action, Horror, etc.)

PROMPT:
Offer an analysis of genre (Monster Movie, Comedy, Action, Horror, etc.)

PROMPT:
Offer an analysis of genre (Monster Movie, Comedy, Action, Horror, etc.) in the film to argue if The Host is an illustration of hybridity as defined by the course material. Choose one scene in which you see a genre convention shaping the meaning of the film. Briefly explain how your example supports or undermines viewing The Host as an example of hybridity or contraflow. In your response, make one reference to Klein’s study of Korean film (attached). Only needs to be around 3 paragraphs or around 250 words.
SAMPLE ANSWER:
Bong Joon-ho’s “The Host” is an example of hybridity in the territory of film genres, blending elements of monster movies, comedy, action, and horror. The film challenges traditional genre boundaries, contributing to the concept of hybridity.
One significant scene occurs when the Park family gathers at the funeral home after the creature’s initial attack at the Han River. In this scene, Bong Joon-ho mixes elements of family drama and societal critique with the ongoing monster threat. The family’s dynamics and interactions provide a strong emotional core to the narrative, emphasizing the importance of familial bonds in Korean culture. At the same time, the looming danger of the creature adds a layer of suspense and horror to the scene.
The blend of family drama and monster movie conventions in this scene highlights the film’s hybridity. Instead of following a conventional monster movie format that prioritizes action and suspense, Bong Joon-ho adds personal and emotional elements, offering a unique portrayal of the Park family’s struggles during the chaos. This scene contributes to the concept of contraflow by challenging traditional genre expectations. Rather than adhering strictly to Western genre conventions, Bong Joon-ho incorporates cultural specificity and social commentary into the narrative. Klein’s study of Korean film emphasizes how these unique cultural elements reshape and redefine established genres, providing a new perspective. He states that “Bong thus occupies a middle ground in his relationship with Hollywood, neither blindly emulating its conventions for the sake of profit nor wholly rejecting them in favor of some notion of cultural authenticity or art” (Klein pp 873).
In “The Host,” the emphasis on family dynamics, societal critique, and emotional depth within a monster movie framework aligns with Klein’s notion of contraflow. The film goes beyond the typical monster movie formula, introducing it with Korean cultural elements and social commentary, contributing to the diversity of global cinema.

Below you will find 3 Prompts. You will choose 2 to answer. Responses should be

Below you will find 3 Prompts. You will choose 2 to answer. Responses should be

Below you will find 3 Prompts. You will choose 2 to answer. Responses should be 1-2 pages double spaced, Times New Roman 12 pt font. In-text Citations should be MLA style (Author Last name, page number). No works cited page is necessary – you are not expected to cite sources outside of those mentioned in the question. If you elect to cite something that is not part of the course material, you may, but you need to attach a works cited page with full MLA citations. You may also cite in-class lectures, if you choose. 
The questions below are broad, but that is intentional. The expectation is that you will craft each response as a mini-essay, with a thesis statement and paragraph breaks as you transition between ideas. Your responses should indicate that you have an understanding of the readings in question – so, to the extent required to answer the question (and, preferably, within the 2-page limit) summarize the readings’ arguments. You must include at least 4 in-text citations (either direct quotes or paraphrasing) as part of your responses. Upload your responses as a word doc. If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to me.
Prompt 1: Analyze Grizzly Man as though you were John Berger. What would Berger say about Timothy Treadwell’s behavior? How would he critique Treadwell’s treatment of the bears? What desires would Berger say that Treadwell is attempting to fulfill?
Prompt 2: Describe the difference between Peter Godfrey-Smith and Bo Ruberg’s approaches to Octopuses. How does each writer describe the way in which the octopus transforms our understanding of what it is to be human?
Prompt 3: In your own words, summarize Akira Lippit’s argument about how the ‘animal gaze’ is transferred from the animal to the cinematic camera. Describe how you see this transition being addressed in either Au Hasard Balthazar or Nope. (Note that neither film is explicitly addressing Lippit, of course. But this relationship that Lippit is talking about can be a way of analyzing these two texts. I’m asking you to apply a reading to a screening. Your task is not to explain that, secretly, both films are about Lippit’s book. You’re seeing what your understanding of Lippit’s text can add to your analysis of either film)