Tuesday, December 11, 2007

FINAL EXAM REVIEW

The final exam will take place on Tue, 12/18 from 6-8pm.
The final exam will cover chapters 2, 10, 13 and 15 from Media Now and the article Media Control by Noam Chomsky. Be sure you have read AND understood all of the required materials. The exam will contain five questions: two short answer; one SMCR diagram; one Analysis Diagram; and an ethics-related essay.

Use the following handouts to help you study for the final exam.



Tuesday, December 4, 2007

EXTRA CREDIT: Metropolis

Due Friday, December 14th.
Fritz Lang's Metropolis (1927) is a landmark science-fiction film. Not only is it a powerful statement on the melding of man and technology, but it also comments on the consequences of violent social revolution (specifically looking at the recent Bolshevik revolution in Russia just ten years before). Eighty years later, Metropolis continues to resonate with viewers. Why? What important message(s) does the film communicate? What techniques does it use to present its message(s)?

Here are a few helpful links about the film:
  • Read the full script here.
  • Here is an article about the print released in 2001.
  • Read an article about the film at UNESCO here.
  • Here is a great site all about Metropolis.
  • Visit a really cool virtual Metropolis tour here.
  • Here is the official site of the reconstructed version.