Convergence Fall 2015: Tahir Russell : The Protrayal of Black Men within the Entertainment Industry

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Tahir Russell : The Protrayal of Black Men within the Entertainment Industry

Draft Proposal

Black men are portrayed in many different ways in the media. More often the portrayal in the media is usually negative. Movies, music, fashion, and even television the scope of seeing a black man in a positive role or in a role that isn’t some kind of mockery is minimal. Some of the popular shows on television right now involve black men involved with some kind of illegal activities. Shows such as Empire and Power are examples of such shows, which are ironically produced by black men. Tyler Perry, one of the most successful actor/directors had a habit of dressing as woman, Madea and saving the life of a bruised and battered woman from her personal demons is his movies. Others before him consist of Jamie Foxx, Martin Lawrence, and the Wayans Brothers.

Dressing up as a woman for comedic affect is something very few white comedians have had to do in order achieve success. Taking things even further, James Bond writer, Anthony Horowitz when asked if Idris Elba would make an adequate James Bond he replied that he is “too street” to play the bond character. What does that even mean? There seems to be a double standard within the entertainment industry.

I would like to do a short video, most likely an iMovie presentation in order to better depict the racial disparities of black men in the media. I would start off with media from the 90’s until the current time. The media I would analyze would consists of movies, music, television and even fashion. Below are some of the sources I will be using, others will be gathered later.

Sources

http://www.newsweek.com/black-men-today-dont-fit-old-stereotype-314877

http://www.theroot.com/blogs/the_grapevine/2014/08/_iftheygunnedmedown_shows_how_black_people_are_portrayed_in_mainstream_media.html

http://mije.org/mmcsi/general/media%E2%80%99s-portrayal-black-youths-contributes-racial-tension

3 comments:

UnknownOctober 15, 2015 at 6:23 AM
Love the idea Tahir. I found some links that analyze the effects of the misrepresentation of black men in the media. Hopefully these will help you out and supply you with more research if need be.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/darron-t-smith-phd/black-men-media_b_2844990.html

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/aug/12/media-misrepresents-black-men-effects-felt-real-world
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UnknownOctober 15, 2015 at 6:23 AM
Love the idea Tahir. I found some links that analyze the effects of the misrepresentation of black men in the media. Hopefully these will help you out and supply you with more research if need be.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/darron-t-smith-phd/black-men-media_b_2844990.html

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/aug/12/media-misrepresents-black-men-effects-felt-real-world
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AnonymousOctober 15, 2015 at 9:42 AM
Tahir, I like your idea, something that might help you could be Dennis Rodman. Even though he is an athlete, he was a big figure in HollyWood throughout his career due to his constant antics.
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All remaining Final projects will be presented on Thursday, December 17 11:45am-2:45pm. Attendance will be taken. Let's celebrate our last day of class! Bring snacks to share if you can :)

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NOTE: You can post your extra credit post (see below for details) until Wednesday Dec. 9 at noon for full 5% credit. For those who did not post the Transmedia post you may also post this by the same Wednesday deadline for a 4.0 maximum grade (much better than 0). I will not allow any other "late posts" - only the transmedia post.

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My son, Lucio William, was born on 11/12. He and I are both doing well and recovering and getting to know each other. I am back home now and I am available via email for any questions and concerns you may have. All remaining assignments due for the semester are listed below. Concentrate on your final projects especially. I have cut out one week's readings. The syllabus and the sidebar reflect this change. I have also made the last writing assignment, Post 4, optional. This means it is not mandatory. All students have the option of completing the assignment for 5 extra credit points (5% on top of your final course grade.) Review the syllabus for the details of your final projects under project description. Contact me with any questions or concerns. See all of you very soon!

FINAL PROJECTS presented 12/10

(due on the blog on 12/9 before 8pm)

Checklist:

-project summary on the blog along with images

-a link to your project including written projects which must be published somewhere or linked as pdfs. (or your project can be included in the post ex: videos embedded)

-presentations will be from your blog post or linked directly from the post PLEASE TEST THIS BEFORE ARRIVING IN CLASS - 5 minutes MAX.

-written projects (research papers and essays) must be handed in to me in print.

-all students must hand in to me a final resources list/bibliography (or this can be included in your blog post) in addition to preparing the above for the presentations

-I have invited guests to attend our final presentations.

Due 12/3

READINGS: Jenkins, Conclusion pg. 251- 270. Afterword pg. 271-294 Pavlik/McIntosh, Chapter on Global Media in the Digital Age

We will also be discussing games and the Sleeper Curve so review the readings that were due 11/12 for our discussion.

Post 4 Future of Convergence (optional - for extra credit 5pts)

What is the future of convergence? What is the intersection of technology and storytelling? How can we approach the future with our knowledge of the past and our contemporary experiences? What do we forsee? What can we expect? How can we prepare?What should we be thinking about?

Use examples and references to the readings (with citation and bibliography) you have done about the future of gaming, popular culture and politics.

5-6 paragraphs, with images, captions and links. Share resources with us that we have not discussed. Dig! Find something inspiring. What does the future of media look like? How can we (you) get in the game?

Work on your semester projects!!

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NO READINGS DUE 11/19 - review the readings that were due 11/12 we will be discussing these on 12/3 along with new readings due 12/3 see below.

We will have a visitor in class 11/19. Attendance will be taken. Igor Alves of DreamPlay Media will be presenting several projects of his local media production company and his experience with the changing landscape of the media industry.

DreamPlay Media http://dreamplaymedia.com/

Group 7 will present on 12/3

NO CLASS 11/26 Happy Thanksgiving!

Class is cancelled today 11/12!

I have gone into labor. Please keep an eye on this blog for instructions and assignments due next week. WORK ON YOUR SEMESTER PROJECTS!!

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Due 11/12

READING: Pavlik/McIntosh, Chapter on Audio/Radio/Music. And Case Study - The Sleeper Curve on Blackboard (please let me know if you cannot access the reading)

WORK ON YOUR SEMESTER PROJECTS!!

Resource List and Bibliography due printed and handed in to me in class 11/12 and added to your proposal on the blog. Your research should be close to finalized as your project is well into production.

POST 3 (extended* due 11/18 before midnight)

Transmedia storytelling

1- ANALYSIS

What is the difference between multimedia and transmedia?Choose a message/story/product that uses multiple platforms to expand the reach and experience of a story (idea.) Choose an example that has not been discussed in class. Use the readings from class and additional readings to analyze how this story is told using various platforms (including ARG, games, social media, traditional media, etc.) How does this strategy engage participation? How does the use of various platforms benefit or change the story or the audience?

Find research to back up your argument. Use various essays/articles to speak to your points. Cite your research. 7+ paragraphs, with images and citations.

Group 7 presents

2 Tweets with #convergcult

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Due 11/5

READINGS: Pavlik/McIntosh, Visual Media Chapter: Photography, Movies and Television. (Chapter 5 in both editions)

and Jenkins, Searching for the Origami Unicorn pg.95-134

IMPORTANT!!!

UPDATE YOUR PROJECT PROPOSALS - Revise your existing proposal posts from your midterm presentations to include all new work and development you have made on your project. Please list all new research and resources, new ideas, new production details. If you did not address all questions I requested in your original proposal. Please address these now. Look through the description of the project and its goals on the syllabus as well as the description of the midterm proposal in the sidebar to be sure you are addressing all questions. If you have changed your idea entirely please REPOST your idea to the blog with a clear title that indicates your topic has changed completely. Let me know and email me as soon as possible with details and a new proposal if this is the case.

MUST COMPLETE!! 2 additional Comments (or 4 comments if you have not already commented on two proposals in the past two weeks)on project osts.

Group 6 presents

2 Tweets with #convergcult (***Many of you have posted zero tweets! This has a negative impact on your participation grade. If you have not been tweeting please take the opportunity to do so for the remainder of the semester so as to not loose credit for this entirely.***)

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Due 10/29

READINGS: Pavlik/McIntosh, Social Media chapter (old book ch8 - new book ch7)

see: http://www.alonetogetherbook.com/

and read the excerpt: http://www.alonetogetherbook.com/?p=4

In addition to looking at the Alone Together links above - watch all of the videos in this playlist:http://www.ted.com/playlists/26/our_digital_lives.html(10 videos)

Group 4 presents

2 Tweets with #convergcult

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Due 10/22

MIDTERM PRESENTATIONS in class on 10/22 **Please arrive in class 5 minutes before class begins at 2:25pm

Proposal of final semester project. In a two page (700+ word description printed and handed in to me) please explain: the topic, the form your project will take, the scope of your research, intended message of your piece, the audience you would like to reach (be specific - of course you may want it to reach the broadest audience possible - but who are you directing it towards specifically), the way(s) you intend to distribute or publish your work, how it will involve your audience, how do you intend it to "make change", why are you making this project, why is it important to you, how does this project fit in to your portfolio or career ambitions, how will you produce this project, how are you taking advantage of convergence in the project or in the distribution of the project, how do you plan to make something amazing.

Please include a Bibliography and/or Resource List for semester project (so far) in addition to your 2+ page description. Please use proper MLA or Chicago style. Include any academic research/scholarship, literature, inspirational projects, media works you are looking to, any resources you plan to use in order to create the project, expertise you plan to employ, help you will be seeking to accomplish your ambitious goals, all materials and information you hope to access to complete the project.

HAND IN TO ME YOUR PRINTED 2+ PAGE midterm proposal and bibliography/resource list as you enter the classroom on 10/22.

Then you will give a 2 minute presentation to the class.On the blog create a NEW extensive summary post, a "pitch" to the class of your project proposal. This must be posted on or before 10/21 at 11:59pm. Presentations will be from your blog post and should explain where you are in your research and production of your project and how and where you plan to be at the final presentation. What are you making, why and how? Please concise, clear and impressive! Practice your presentations for clarity and for time. Use visuals (images in your post) if appropriate. Be sure the class and I will fully understand exactly what you plan to make and why.

You will be graded on the proposal you hand in, on your blog post and on your presentation "pitch" to the class.

On 10/22 No New Readings Due. No Group Presentations Due. No tweets due. Just concentrate on your proposals and presentations.

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Due Thursday 10/15

READINGS: Pavlik/McIntosh, Chapter on Advertising and PR and Chapter on Media Ethics

2 Comments on project proposals. Read through student project proposals. Choose two or more to give feedback and help with/give additional resources, advice or references. Be constructive and thoughtful.

Post 2 DUE Mass Amateurization

In the readings Everyone is a Media Outlet and Publish, Then Filter, Clay Shirky describes "mass amateurization." Explain what he means by this and give a clear example from your experience that illustrates his argument. What does Shirky argue is the outcome of this? How has media publishing and consumption changed as a result of this? Similarly Jenkins in Why Heather Can Write describes fan fiction culture and the amateurization of the author. Please use examples to explain this development.

What do you feel is the future of the media professional? What do these two readings suggest may be shifting, if anything, and what may come of these new authors/storytellers, journalists and producers?

Feel free to use other essays/articles as well to speak to this points. ~800 words, with several images (with captions), citations from the readings and works cited.

Important note on Post 2:

The post should be a strong analysis of the readings. Be sure to convey an understanding of the readings and cite them extensively. Use media examples to illustrate your points from these readings and those of your own choosing. These should be titled (create a strong title), carefully written, well edited and properly cited with bibliographic information at the bottom of each post. All posts should include illustrative images with captions and links that are clear and introduced in your text.

*Please be sure that your published post is formatted correctly with spacing, alignment, paragraphs, images and captions of images lined up as best as possible. Fonts and images should be sized correctly. Please remember these are on the web. Format them to reflect your best published writing for the web with images and text appearing as polished as possible. This is a good part of the writing grade. EDIT!

2 Tweets with #convergcult

Group 3 presents

Group presentations must also have a summary posted to the blog. One post per group. Best to complete this before your presentation in class. For those who have presented please do this immediately. This post is part of your presentation grade.

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COMING ATTRACTIONS for 10/22 MIDTERM PRESENTATIONS in class on 10/22 **Please arrive in class 5 minutes before class begins at 2:25pm

HAND IN TO ME YOUR PRINTED 2+ PAGE midterm proposal and bibliography/resource list as you enter the classroom on 10/22.

Then you will give a 2 minute presentation to the class. On the blog create a NEW extensive summary post, a "pitch" to the class of your project proposal. This must be posted on or before 10/21 at 11:59pm. Presentations will be from your blog post and should explain where you are in your research and production of your project and how and where you plan to be at the final presentation. What are you making, why and how? Please concise, clear and impressive! Practice your presentations for clarity and for time. Use visuals (images in your post) if appropriate. Be sure the class and I will fully understand exactly what you plan to make and why.

You will be graded on the proposal you hand in, on your blog post and on your presentation "pitch" to the class.

On 10/22 No New Readings Due. No Group Presentations Due. No tweets due. Just concentrate on your proposals and presentations.

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Due Thursday 10/8

READINGS: Pavlik/McIntosh, Chapter on Journalism

Online:

David Carr's Last Word on Journalism, Aimed at Students, New York Times, February 2015 http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/16/business/media/david-carr-as-a-passionate-professor-shaping-the-future-of-journalism.html

Clay Shirky, Newspapers and Thinking the Unthinkable, March 2009 http://www.shirky.com/weblog/2009/03/newspapers-and-thinking-the-unthinkable/

Two short articles from Brain Pickings by Maria Popova:

The Life of Trailblazing Journalist Nellie Bly, Who Paved the Way for Women in Media https://www.brainpickings.org/2015/07/17/the-daring-nellie-bly-bonnie-christensen/

Addiction to Truth: David Carr, the Measure of a Person, and the Uncommon Art of Elevating the Common Record https://www.brainpickings.org/2015/02/13/david-carr-night-of-the-gun/

++Draft Proposal Due for Semester Project++

Please choose and describe the topic which you plan to research for your semester project. See the project description at the end of your syllabus for the guidelines of the project. Write up a description of the social issue, of the research you plan on undertaking and what you plan to creating to approach this topic (video, podcast, vlog, tumblr campaign, workshop, research paper, article, poster, art project etc). Please include as much information as possible at this stage. You may include images and links to supporting material. 1 page+ printed and handed in to me AND a post on the blog. This proposal will count towards your midterm grade. You will be presenting your topic in short presentations as your midterm on 10/22. Please dive into this proposal as it is crucial to your success on the midterm and final.

Group 3 presents

2 tweets with #convergcult

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Due Thursday 10/1

READINGS: Pavlik/McIntosh, Chapter 6 only (3rd and 4th editions) and on Blackboard: Clay Shirky, Publish, Then Filter. *different from the original readings on the syllabus. I have also corrected the syllabus to reflect these readings.

Important note on Posts:

The posts should be strong analyses of the readings. Be sure to convey an understanding of the readings and cite them extensively. Use media examples to illustrate your points from these readings and those of your own choosing. These should be titled (create a strong title), carefully written, well edited and properly cited with bibliographic information at the bottom of each post. All posts should include illustrative images (with captions) and useful links that are clear and introduced in your text. Be sure to include a bibliography/works cited at the end of your post. You may use MLA or any accepted style in order to cite, but please be sure to be consistent and check your format.

GROUP PRESENTATIONS must also have a summary posted to the blog. One post per group. Best to complete this before your presentation in class. Please summarize your presentation and include images and links to the most important examples and information. For those who have already presented please do this immediately. This post is part of your presentation grade. You might consider having your presentation online and linked from the post to make it easier to present in class. You may bring your presentation with you but be sure to have a back up way of accessing the presentation as there is always room for a technical problem.

GROUP 2 presents

2 Tweets with #convergcult

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Due Thursday 9/24

POST 1 DUE Society of the Spectacle

What is the society of the spectacle? How does Debord describe the spectacle and its impact? Discuss the theme of commodity as described by Debord in this chapter specifically. What is the commodity as spectacle? Please use your readings about the media, convergence and spectacle to help illustrate your descriptions and your points. Use clear examples from contemporary mediated culture to help explain your interpretations of this text.

You must cite from your sources (in body citation) and use images (at least 2) to illustrate your examples. Feel free to also link to additional resources and information.

500+ words posted on this blog: well-developed, edited, and formatted correctly.

READINGS Due: Pavlik/McIntosh, Chapter 3 and Clay Shirky, Everyone is a Media Outlet on Blackboard and Jenkins, Why Heather Can Write pg.175-216

2 Tweets with #convergcult

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DUE Thursday 9/10

Introduce yourself on the blog - MINI POST

Please post 1 paragraph about yourself and your professional and academic goals. How do media, media consumption and media studies fit into your life, your academic goals and your interests? You must include one image and one link.

READINGS:

Jenkins, Introduction to Convergence Culture pgs.1-24

Pavlik/McIntosh, Chapter 1+2

From Guy Debord's Society of the Spectacle (first published 1967):

Debord, The Commodity as Spectacle (1977 translation)OR(2002 translation)

2 Tweets with #convergcult

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Link to Syllabus

Link to online videos (links) from class screenings

Readings on the syllabus refer to chapters in your texts:

John V. Pavlik and Shawn McIntosh's Converging Media and

Henry Jenkins' Convergence Culture: Where Old and New Media Collide

**Additional readings can be found on the Blackboard site or linked here and will be specified here for each class. Please check here each week for additional readings.

CLASS DISCUSSIONS:

The course material and discussions can often be provocative and challenging. We must therefore be careful to be respectful of each other and all of our viewpoints. No student shall ever be made to feel uncomfortable because of race, gender, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.

We must come to class prepared and ready to discuss the readings!! Please keep discussions focused on the readings and class materials and keep examples relevant and appropriate. If you have not done the readings you are not to participate in the discussion.

Please see this great list of classroom discussion guidelines for guidance on classroom discussion. It is also helpful that everyone in the course reviews several key terms that are often important to the class discussion. Please review this important list of terms.