Exam Study Notes

Career Advice and Internship Opportunities

• Importance of Internships:
  • To secure a career after college, students must actively seek internships and resources during their studies.
  • Colleges that provide better resources tend to have more success in helping students find employment.
• CUNY Inclusive Economy (CIE) Program:
  • The film and media department has received funding for the CIE program, along with the human biology and economics departments.
  • The program is designed for media studies majors, with 200 exclusive spots available.
  • The goal is to help students secure paid internships and full-time entry-level roles after graduation.

CIE Program Details

• Program Structure:
  • Tara Chiari (student-facing) and Jeanne (employer-facing) will work with students and faculty.
  • Students will complete an application form indicating their areas of interest and preferred workplaces.
  • Tara will provide career preparation, including resume and cover letter assistance.
  • Jeanne will secure internships and employment opportunities and connect them with suitable students based on Tara's recommendations.
• Internship Timeline:
  • Peak internship application time is ongoing, particularly for fall internships.
  • Deadlines typically range from late June to mid-August, with rolling interviews.
  • Internships usually begin in late August or early September.
• Program Requirements:
  • Students must meet with Tara at least once.
  • Attendance at program events is required.
  • Active application for internships and jobs is necessary to remain in the program.

CIE Application

• Application Process:
  • Use the QR code provided to access the application for the CIE program.
  • After applying, students can schedule an intake meeting with Tara.
  • Tara and Jeanne are available full-time during the summer, both in-person and virtually, to answer questions and provide assistance.

Cultural Studies vs. Frankfurt School

• Distinction:
  • Cultural Studies was influenced by the Frankfurt School, which examined media in relation to power and culture.
  • Cultural Studies emphasizes sociopolitical concepts such as race, class, and gender.
• Birmingham School:
  • The cultural studies approach is also known as the Birmingham School.
  • It represents a school of thought rather than a physical university.

Key Aspects of Cultural Studies

• Textual Analysis:
  • Cultural studies brings textual analysis to the forefront, examining media texts within their societal contexts.
  • Analysis considers societal factors that influence the production and reception of media.
• Audience Studies:
  • Cultural studies differs from earlier audience studies (e.g., Payne Fund studies) by focusing on understanding audiences rather than making assumptions.
  • Janice Radway's Research: Radway's research on women who read romance novels revealed that these women were attracted to themes of rebellion, independence, and life outside domesticity, rather than just romantic fulfillment.
• Political Economy:
  • Examines the interconnections among economic interests and political power in media production.
  • Noam Chomsky and Sut Jhally: Argue that the type of art and programming produced is directly tied to the economic system and capitalist nature of the producing company.
  • Example: News Coverage in the U.S.: The limited coverage of perspectives favoring universal health care may be linked to the sponsorship of news networks by insurance and pharmaceutical companies.
  • Diversity on Netflix: The increased diversity in Netflix programming compared to 1980s network television can be attributed to the profitability of targeting niche markets globally.
• Counterpublics:
  • Critiques of the public sphere by scholars like Nancy Fraser, who coined the term "counterpublics".
• James Carey:
  • An American communications scholar who emphasized the importance of studying everyday conversation, rituals, and communication as a process of belonging.
  • His work inspired organizational communications, focusing on motivation and bringing people closer together.
  • Carey challenged the idea of taking norms for granted, highlighting how they can change over time.

Analysis of Do the Right Thing

• Influence and Power:
  • Considered one of the most influential and powerful films released in the U.S. in the last half-century.
  • Its power comes from cinematography, costume design, performances, and camera angles.
  • Presents a nuanced view of racism and community relations.
  • It does not have purely "evil" or "angelic" characters, instead showing the humanity of each character.
• Inspiration and Context:
  • Inspired by the tragic, racist attack on 23-year-old Eddie Griffin in 1980s New York City.
  • Griffin was harassed and attacked by racist teenagers while seeking a phone after his car broke down.
  • The film addresses anti-Black violence and racism.
• Cinematic Techniques:
  • Heat: Evokes a sense of tension through the use of heat, symbolizing the unrelenting tension throughout the film.
  • Cinematography: Ernest Dickerson used a lit can of Sterno in front of the camera to create heat waves on screen.
  • Low Angle Shots: Used to present characters like Radio Raheem as powerful or larger than life.
  • Dutch/Canted Angles: Slanted shots create unease and instability during tense moments.
• Themes:
  • Power: The film questions what constitutes power and who wields it. It doesn't portray simple binaries of powerful vs. powerless characters.
  • Pizzeria: Functions as a character.
  • The song, "Fight the Power", is central to the film’s themes and conflicts.
• Character Wardrobe: Pino is dressed to look as though he doesn’t belong, the intention behind this style choice shows the outsider’s perspective.
• Key points from the film: Smiley, Martin Luther King, and Malcom X represent different approaches to tackling the issue of racism and race