CCT218 - Foundations of media and technology studies - Fall 2022
FINAL RESEARCH PAPER
Value: 35%
Length: between 1,000 and 1,200 words (plus references)
Deadline: December 2
Following our lectures and discussions in class, write a research essay in any one of the areas listed
above. The aim of this assignment is to test your ability to identify a specific case study based on
critical analysis of a phenomenon related to contemporary media and use it to convey a clear argument
about the political or social significance of contemporary media. In this paper you must use theories and
insights from the course and beyond. Please provide a bibliography of at least five readings. You have a
great deal of freedom in terms of choice of your case study and research question, and we are happy to
discuss your ideas as you work on the paper.
Areas
* Media representation
* Media and work
* Media and taste
Assignment details
In this paper you must:
1. Pick one of the areas listed above
2. Identify a case study that allows you to say something about the chosen area of interest. Possible case
studies encompass media technologies or phenomena, such as for example:
* an entire set of algorithms, i.e. recommendation algorithms
* the role of a whole service or industry, i.e. work and TikTok, or taste in relation to Spotify
* an entire area, i.e. journalistic labour and social media, or representation in reality TV
* etc…
3. Develop a research question, such as (among many possible examples):
* how is race represented in Canadian reality TV?
* which problems do workers face because of the adoption of digital surveillance in the workplace?
* how do recommendation algorithms shape fashion choices?
* etc...
4. Use the question to guide your research on the chosen case study. You can conduct some direct
research (for instance analyze content to study representation) or base your analysis on a deep
knowledge of the case study (read journalistic reports, analyze the website or app, etc). PS remember to
provide basic background on the chosen medium or phenomenon, do not take for granted that your
readers are already familiar with it.
5. Build a strong argument based on your case study and hypothesis: does it allow you to say something
about the media in general? Does it contradict or update theories we discussed in class? What is its
FINAL RESEARCH PAPER
Value: 35%
Length: between 1,000 and 1,200 words (plus references)
Deadline: December 2
Following our lectures and discussions in class, write a research essay in any one of the areas listed
above. The aim of this assignment is to test your ability to identify a specific case study based on
critical analysis of a phenomenon related to contemporary media and use it to convey a clear argument
about the political or social significance of contemporary media. In this paper you must use theories and
insights from the course and beyond. Please provide a bibliography of at least five readings. You have a
great deal of freedom in terms of choice of your case study and research question, and we are happy to
discuss your ideas as you work on the paper.
Areas
* Media representation
* Media and work
* Media and taste
Assignment details
In this paper you must:
1. Pick one of the areas listed above
2. Identify a case study that allows you to say something about the chosen area of interest. Possible case
studies encompass media technologies or phenomena, such as for example:
* an entire set of algorithms, i.e. recommendation algorithms
* the role of a whole service or industry, i.e. work and TikTok, or taste in relation to Spotify
* an entire area, i.e. journalistic labour and social media, or representation in reality TV
* etc…
3. Develop a research question, such as (among many possible examples):
* how is race represented in Canadian reality TV?
* which problems do workers face because of the adoption of digital surveillance in the workplace?
* how do recommendation algorithms shape fashion choices?
* etc...
4. Use the question to guide your research on the chosen case study. You can conduct some direct
research (for instance analyze content to study representation) or base your analysis on a deep
knowledge of the case study (read journalistic reports, analyze the website or app, etc). PS remember to
provide basic background on the chosen medium or phenomenon, do not take for granted that your
readers are already familiar with it.
5. Build a strong argument based on your case study and hypothesis: does it allow you to say something
about the media in general? Does it contradict or update theories we discussed in class? What is its
