Detailed Study Notes for Introduction to Media Studies

Introduction by L. Mitchell, course instructor.
- Emphasis on taking notes, as not all information will be on slides.
- TA introduction and contact information shared, noting that it’s important for students to reach out for assistance.
- Overview of the course structure and expectations.

Credit course involving small, low-stakes, experiential assignments.
Focus on fun, exploratory learning through various media activities.
Course has been offered for three years, likely the last time in this format.
Background of L. Mitchell:
- Professor since 2012 with a focus on politics, video games, and online discourse.
- Current research interests in online political discourse.

Introduction of TAs: Erin and Joshua Harmon.
- Erin identifies as studying cultural studies.
- Joshua mentions studying professional wrestling and alternative theater, highlighting the breadth of topics studied in cultural studies.
Students are encouraged to learn from varied personal interests in the class, emphasizing the potential to explore unconventional subjects.

Forthcoming discussions will include:
- Social media analysis.
- Circuit report overview.
- Brief lecture on March and April events.
Slides available on Blackboard.

Emphasis on observing and noting key points from lecture rather than relying solely on slides.
Encourages students to identify key information presented.
Approach prioritizes experiential learning through watching, listening, and interactive engagement.

Syllabus provided in multiple formats on Blackboard.
- Contains contact information and guidelines for assignments.
- Important to consult the syllabus for assignment details and contact TAs for any queries.
Mention of meetings and organization structured for effective student engagement.

Media Studies encompasses various methodologies including:
- American communications styles focusing on structural incorporation.
- Video studies in legacy media.
- Focus on primary sources: authentic voices discussing their media experiences.
- Importance of social media as a contemporary media lens.

Methodology is diverse, exploring:
- Participants’ own experiences in relation to media.
- Incorporating experts and scholarly contributions.
Acknowledgement that social media shapes public perceptions:
- Not merely a secondary source of information but a defining aspect of contemporary life.

Critique of conventional textbooks that promote rote learning.
Noted importance of understanding the implications of social media through a mix of personal experience and academic research.

Emphasis on the psychological impact of social media.
- Attention manipulation and identity issues linked to online environments.
Discussions on how shared experiences on social media affect societal behavior.
Reference to Max Fisher’s "The Chaos Machine", discussing the underlying dangers of social media.
- Key Takeaway: "What are the consequences of routing all politics, information, and human social relations to online platforms expressly designed to manipulate attention?"

L. Mitchell shares personal sentiments about social media engagement and addiction.
Discusses the challenges of disconnecting from technology and social media, reflecting on societal addiction to digital devices.

Course will not demonize social media; instead, will explore functional uses and societal impacts while fostering a critical perspective.
Goal is to understand our media consumption and production practices.

Discusses defamiliarization as a critical tool in understanding media consumption:
- Importance of taking a step back to analyze media's role in daily life.
- Example of “a fish knows nothing of the water in which it swims.”

Overview of upcoming assignments and their focus on practical and experiential outcomes.
Students will engage in experiments that involve creating and analyzing multimedia content.
Importance of developing critical skills in documentation and presentation.

Introduction of Marshall McLuhan's theory: "The medium is the message"
- Importance of examining how media structures shape human engagement rather than focusing solely on content.
Examination of various media forms as extensions of human capability.

Discusses case studies involving media narratives and political implications (e.g., police violence video evidence).
Reflection on societal truth as shaped by media narratives.

Class discussions will challenge students to connect personal experiences to broader media theory.
Multiple experiments focusing on social norms, including a breaching experiment exploring social discomfort online.

Introduction of video essays as a method of analysis in discussions of media's societal impact.
Assignments centered on identifying media influences through experiential learning and theoretical application.

Open floor for student questions regarding course structure and content.
Encouragement to connect class themes to personal experiences and societal phenomena.
Reminder about the class's goal: to explore media through various lenses while maintaining critical engagement with content.