Chapter Questions
The following questions are designed to stimulate reflection and help retention. After
studying the appropriate chapter, students should type 1 page (double-spaced, 1” margins,12-point font, Times New Roman) for each answer. The answers to questions 1-7 are dueon the day of the first test; the answers to questions 8-14 are due the day of the second test.

DUE ON DAY OF FIRST TEST:CHAPTER 1: Mass Media in Everyday Life
How many hours a day do you use mass media? Keep a journal for 3 days detailing yourconsumption of mass media. Be sure to include all forms of media including TV, music, movies,internet, and reading materials. This journal may be less than a page.
CHAPTER 2: Books
How has the book publishing industry evolved? Discuss 3 ways it has changed from BenjaminFranklin’s day to today.
CHAPTER 3: Newspapers
How have newspapers changed with the digital age? Discuss the pros and cons of online versus
traditional newspapers.
CHAPTER 4: Magazines
Why do today’s magazines target specialized audiences for readership? Give 3 specificexamples and the reasons for each.
CHAPTER 5: Recordings
Why is file-sharing harmful to the recording industry? Explain the measures that the industry
has taken and evaluate their effectiveness.
CHAPTER 6: RadioWhy was and is Federal regulation of the airwaves necessary, and what is the impact of the 1996
Telecommunications Act?
CHAPTER 7: Movies
Analyze movie industry self-regulation. Discuss MPPDA and the Hays Office production codes
and the current MPAA ratings.

Chapter Questions, Cont.
DUE ON DAY OF SECOND TEST:CHAPTER 8: Television
How do the Nielsen Ratings impact programming? Explain their accuracy and the importance ofratings to commercial and public broadcasting networks
CHAPTER 9: Digital Media
What role does the U.S. Government have in regulating the internet? Include issues relating toprivacy, intellectual property, and pornography.
CHAPTER 10: Advertising
Why is advertising not a medium? What role does advertising play in various mass media?
CHAPTER 11: Public Relations
How did each of the following contribute the development of public relations? Lee Ivy andGeorge F. Parker, Edward L. Bernays, Doris E. Fleischman.
CHAPTER 12: News and Information
Explain Agenda-Setting and the role of consensus journalism. How does Herman J. Ganz’s
analysis of journalists’ values impact the discussion?
CHAPTER 13: Society, Culture and Politics
What is the role of media in political campaigns? Include TV, radio, and advertising, and theincreased internet media such as blogs, webcasts, and social network sites.
CHAPTER 14: Law and Regulation
Is obscenity protected by the First Amendment? What criteria did the U.S. Supreme Court set indetermining obscenity? Cite the cases.

Movie Cultural Literacy Term
Paper (and Quiz!)Americans tend to be unaware of the enormous cultural legacy of the movies. Below are titlesof movies from five decades. Each movie either informs us on an aspect of the history of masscommunication, or on the tenor of the times. Watch 5 of the 6 classic movies and answer thequestion(s) listed below (1-2 pages for each movie, typed, double-spaced, 12-point font, Times
New Roman).
The paper is worth 80 points, the quiz 20. In order to get an “A” on your paper it must be
insightful, free of speling and tyopgraphical errors, and grammatically, not have no mistakes J.
Go to the writing center if you need help. Bring a scantron for the quiz. The quiz is designed tocheck that the movies were actually viewed (not that any of you would ever get your material off
internet movie summary sites!). If you watched the movies the quiz will be easy. The quiz is on
the day the paper is due (see syllabus).

1920s

The Gold Rush (1925) Charlie Chaplin (American Film Institute (AFI) ranks thisfilm #58 in their list of the best movies ever made)QUESTION: What did you most enjoy about this movie? Cite specific scenes. Did the lack of soundhamper your enjoyment, or did you forget about it after a while?

1930s

Angels with Dirty Faces (1936) James Cagney, Humphrey Bogart

QUESTION: This is my favorite movie of all time. What does it tell you about the times? There areseveral values that are depicted in the film; what are they?

1940s

Citizen Cane (1942) Orson Wells (AFI #1 movie of all-time)

QUESTION: How do you think the visual effects (deep focus, point of view) added to the film? Does it
deserve the American Film Institute (AFI) designation of the best movie ever made? Why or why not?

Casablanca (1943) Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman (AFI #3 movie of all-time)
QUESTION: Even prior to U. S. entry into WWII, war-themed movies were influential masscommunication vehicles. What is the main message in Casablanca? Are any characters representativeof any particular ideology?

1950s Singing in the Rain (1952) Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds (AFI #5 movie)
QUESTION: In addition to depicting the evolution of movie-making, this film is an excellent example of theHollywood musical that is no longer made. Why or why not did you enjoy it?

1960sThe Graduate (1967) Dustin Hoffman, Anne Bancroft (AFI #17 movie)

QUESTION: How does this movie reflect the changing times? Address changing social, sexual, andemployment ideals.

FYI: Here is AFI’s top movies of all-time, as of 2015
#MOVIEYEAR

1CITIZEN KANE

1941

2

THE GODFATHER

1972

3

CASABLANCA

1942

4RAGING BULL

1980

5SINGIN' IN THE RAIN

1952

6GONE WITH THE WIND

1939

7

LAWRENCE OF ARABIA

1962

8

SCHINDLER'S LIST

1993

9VERTIGO

1958

10THE WIZARD OF OZ

1939

11CITY LIGHTS

1931

12THE SEARCHERS

1956

13STAR WARS

1977

14PSYCHO

1960

152001: A SPACE ODYSSEY

1968

16SUNSET BLVD.

1950

17THE GRADUATE

1967

18THE GENERAL

1927

19ON THE WATERFRONT

1954

20

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE

1946

21CHINATOWN

1974

22SOME LIKE IT HOT

1959

23THE GRAPES OF WRATH

1940

24

E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL

1982

25

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

1962

26

MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON

1939

27

HIGH NOON

1952

28

ALL ABOUT EVE

1950

29DOUBLE INDEMNITY

1944

30

APOCALYPSE NOW

1979

31

THE MALTESE FALCON

1941

32THE GODFATHER PART II

1974

33ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST 1975

34SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVENDWARFS

1937

35

ANNIE HALL

1977

36

THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI

1957

37

THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES

1946

38

THE TREASURE OF THE SIERRAMADRE

1948

39

DR. STRANGELOVE

1964

40

THE SOUND OF MUSIC

1965

41

KING KONG

1933

42

BONNIE AND CLYDE

1967

43

MIDNIGHT COWBOY

1969

44

THE PHILADELPHIA STORY

1940

45

SHANE

1953

46

IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT

1934

47

A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE

1951

48

REAR WINDOW

1954

49

INTOLERANCE

1916

50

THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE
FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING

2001

51

WEST SIDE STORY

1961

52

TAXI DRIVER

1976

53

THE DEER HUNTER

197854

M*A*S*H

1970

55

NORTH BY NORTHWEST

1959

56JAWS

1975

57

ROCKY1976

58

THE GOLD RUSH

1925

59

NASHVILLE

1975

60

DUCK SOUP

1933

61

SULLIVAN'S TRAVELS

1941

62

AMERICAN GRAFFITI

1973

63

CABARET

1972

64

NETWORK1976

65

THE AFRICAN QUEEN

1951

66

RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK

1981

67

WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?

1966

68

UNFORGIVEN

1992

69

TOOTSIE

1982

70

A CLOCKWORK ORANGE

1971

71

SAVING PRIVATE RYAN

1998

72

THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION

1994

73

BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE 1969
KID

74

THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS

1991

75

IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT196776

FORREST GUMP

1994

77

ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN

1976

78

MODERN TIMES

1936

79

THE WILD BUNCH

1969

80

THE APARTMENT

1960

81

SPARTACUS

1960

82

SUNRISE

1927

83

TITANIC

1997

84

EASY RIDER

1969

85

A NIGHT AT THE OPERA

1935

86

PLATOON

1986

87

12 ANGRY MEN

1957

88

BRINGING UP BABY

1938

89

THE SIXTH SENSE

1999

90

SWING TIME

1936

91

SOPHIE'S CHOICE

1982

92

GOODFELLAS

1990

93

THE FRENCH CONNECTION

1971

94

PULP FICTION

1994

95

THE LAST PICTURE SHOW

1971

96

DO THE RIGHT THING

1989

97

BLADE RUNNER

1982

98

YANKEE DOODLE DANDY

1942

99

TOY STORY

1995

100

BEN-HUR1959GROUP-PROJECT
The group project is a research assignment on a topic related to a specific chapter in the text. Ingroups, students will present their research on the day of the lecture/discussion for that chapter.
Presentation length is 20-30 minutes, depending on the size of the group—aim for about 5
minutes per group member. Visual aids are required, but please do not put large amounts of text
on a PowerPoint. Be sure to step out front when speaking (have a group member work thecomputer for you), making eye contact and speaking fluently. Please dress up, or dress in acoordinated manner). You will receive a group grade. The evaluation form I use is printed on thereverse side. See syllabus for presentation dates.
The following are topics from which you may choose for your group project:
PRESENTATION #1—CHAPTER 7: MOVIES
Presentation Date:
This presentation about movies in the past has 2 parts. The “Picture Palaces” of the 20s and 30s were marvels ofarchitecture and opulence. Describe them to the class, showing photos and/or videos. Then videotape a brief
interview with the oldest person you can find and ask what movies were like when he or she was young.. Who was
his or her favorite star? Do they think movies have improved or deteriorated since then?
PRESENTATION #2—CHAPTER 8: TELEVISION
Presentation Date:
Tape clips from family situation comedies spanning 50 years of television (e.g., Leave It to Beaver in the 50s, The
Brady Bunch in the 70s, Roseanne in the 90s, Modern Family today). Compare how the American family has been
represented. What was the effect of the idealized 50s on real families? Did The Brady Bunch make blended
families more acceptable? Was Roseanne any more accurate a reflection of real life? What about today?
PRESENTATION #3—CHAPTER 9: INTERNETMEDIA
Presentation Date:
How has social media changed society? Are sites such as Facebook, Instagram, and twitter good for society? Besure to consider all aspects: online predators, decreased privacy, increased social awareness and activism, increased
access to education and information, networking, and terrorism recruiting, to name a few, Present the issues to theclass by moderating a debate or panel discussion between the group members with each person making a different
argument for or against the topic. The moderator should present any visuals.
PRESENTATION #4—CHAPTER 10: ADVERTISING
Presentation Date:
How do advertisers attempt to reach minorities? Include gender, racial, ethnic, and sexual orientation, and consider
print and video advertisements. If you wish, you can compare ads from years past to show how advertising tominorities has changed.
PRESENTATION #5—CHAPTER 12: NEWS AND INFORMATION
Presentation Date:
Bernard Goldberg has written several books on media bias. Read his first book, Bias, and present it to the classgiving examples from the book. You do not have to cover the entire book; find examples of your own, such asvideos on YouTube (Goldberg interviews are one idea). At the end, you may present your point of view.
PRESENTATION #6—CHAPTER 13: SOCIETY AND POLITICAL ISSUES
Presentation Date:
Videotape interviews with people on the street asking them how they choose for whom to vote. Ask specificquestions about how television ads influence their choice of candidate. Do they dislike “negative” ads? Do they
pay attention to the spin of the campaign people? Are the political positions or the personal attributes of thecandidates more important? Show some attack ads from recent campaigns

My presentation is #___ based on Chapter #___
to be presented _____________(date)Group member 1:___________________ Phone:___________ email:________________
Group member 2:___________________ Phone:___________ email:________________
Group member 3:___________________ Phone:___________ email:________________
Group member 4:___________________ Phone:___________ email:________________
Group member 5:___________________ Phone:___________ email:________________
Group member 6:___________________ Phone:___________ email:_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Sample Group-ProjectEvaluation

Group Members:____________, ____________, ____________, ____________, ____________
Topic_______________________
Grade (out of 75 pts.) _________
E = excellent

G = good

A = average

CONTENT: 50 POINTS___ Clearly introduced project___ Coverage of assigned material___ Quality of research___ Analysis___ Organization___ Creativity___ Comprehension aids
DELIVERY: 50 POINTS___ Made eye contact with all parts of room___ Good volume; clear pronunciation___ Good vocal dimension (varied pace and pitch, effective pauses)___ Conveyed enthusiasm___ Few or no disfluencies (“ums,” “ers,” “likes,” or “y’knows”)___ Deliberate gesture and movement___ Credibility (appearance, appropriateness of language)___ Equal division of workload___ Within time limits
DELIVERY COMMENTS:

F = fairP = poor.

EXTRA CREDIT inFrancesca’s Mass
Com (COMS 265)Class
The Old Town Music Hall in El Segundo is a historic old theater in the style ofthe old Picture Palaces, although smaller. In a typical evening you might see a“short,” or an old cartoon, followed by a feature film, sometimes, if silent,
accompanied by live organ music.
Attend a program at the Old Town Music Hall. Type a 2-page summary of theevening and attach the ticket stub. 25 points.
The Old Town Music Hall
140 Richmond Street
El Segundo, CA 90245(310) 322 2592

Check website for showtimes.
Tickets are $10
http://www.oldtownmusichall.org—OR—
Watch Media Buzz on Fox News Channel (it is on multiple times on Sundays)
write a 2-page paper detailing what you saw and analyzing the arguments
made in the show. 15 points.