COMM 200 EXAM 1 Questions and Answers
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How are "communication" and "communications" different? - ANS communication: refers to
the process of making meaning
(examiners verbal and non verbal msgs &behaviors that compromise human interaction, an
academic program focused broadly on the science and philosophy of comm, ex. media,
nonverbal)
communications: refers to the methods ppl use to communicate w one another
(an academic program focused on equipping students w particular comm skills, focus on radio,
tv production, journalism, marketing)
What are media? Is this a plural or singular word? - ANS plural noun w multiple mediums
(medium: singular, type of tech, written/digital, used to transmit msgs)
-can't treat as mono, bc ea med has unique attributes
What is Farhi's argument about calling out "the media"? - ANS Too many mediums and
platforms to consider all "the media"
"Fact is, there really is no such thing as "the media" its an invention, a tool, an all purpose
smear by ppl who can't be bothered to make distinctions"
What is media literacy? - ANS "the ability to access, understand, analyze, evaluate, and
participate w powerful images, words, and sounds that make up our contemporary mass media
culture" -center of media literacy (CML)
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-it is not about censorship, boycotts, media "bashing", looking at only one perspective
What are the 5 processes in the media literacy circle of empowerment? Explain each. -
ANS AWARENESS: pervasiveness of the media in your life, the ways about media are
constructed, workings of media industries, cultural msgs communicated by media
ANALYSIS: critical evaluation of forms/contents of the medias various msgs, intent of most mass
media to persuade, meaning of media msgs, media industries and our use of mediated comm,
how tech affects media industries and culture
ACTIVISM: developing your own informed opinions about the neg & pos effects of the media
and deciding to do something about it (praising healthy media, protesting unhealthy media,
developing campaigns to educate others)
ADVOCACY: learning how to work w media and use it to develop and publicize msgs that are
healthy, constructive and often ignored by our society
ACCESS: improving your skills in knowing how to access and use diff types of media-radio,
newspaper, internet, tv, etc.
What are the 5 key concepts (and related questions) one should ask when consuming media, as
suggested by the Foundation for Media Inquiry? - ANS Who created the msg?
Which techniques are used to attract my attention
How might diff ppl interpret this msg?
Which lifestyles, values, & pt of views are represented, or missing?
Why is this msg being sent?
What is the average amount of daily media usage for an American adult, according to PEW
data? - ANS 10.5 hours on media a day
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Which generation spends the most time with media? Which spends the least? - ANS Most:
Baby Boomers
Least: Gen Z
What is the most used form of media for American adults today, according to PEW? -
ANS Youtube
What percentage of US adults now use social media? What are the two most commonly used
social media sites? - ANS in 2019, 72% of Americans who are 17 and over are using at least
one social media site
Youtube (73%) and facebook (69%) are the most used social media sites
How do Americans most often access social networking sites? - ANS Smartphones
What are 3 challenges to measuring media usage? - ANS 1. measurement error (ea person
views media use differently (ex. might not include txting)?
2. Social desirability
3. Multitasking (Am is using double the media?)
What are the 7 metaphors for media influence discussed in class? - ANS 1. Media as an
INTERLOPER: injects into convo, outside influence, intrusive force
2. Media as INFO
3. Media as PROPAGANDA: msg to persuade ppl on what/how to believe
4. Media as COMMERCE: just there for profit (selling flat tummy tea)
5. Media as DISTRACTION
6. Media as CURRICULUM: powerpoints, readings, videos, charts, etc.
7. Media as ART
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