MEST 3 Your case studies - what you should be doing over half term!

As I have mentioned several times, you should now have a very well developed case study. A few of you have taught the class now so you have a good powerpoint and resources to begin with. Your case study should have:


1. A range of different media products from a range of media platforms

2. Detailed examples from particular media products.

3. Evidence of research into media debates and issues and relevant wider contexts.

4. Theory used to explain and support answers

5. A real interest in the case study chosen, evidenced by engagement with the products and issues and own opinions.

 

After half term you should return with your red folder full of the following items:

 

• Print, moving image and e-media products (at least one from each) which is fully annotated and analysed. You might produce a semiotic analysis of an advert or look at the way your product or aspect of media has changed from print to digital.
• At least 5 newspaper articles or examples of debates about your chosen study - these should be printed off and accompanied with annotations and/or a few paragraphs to explain these debates in your own words
• A list of media theories which may link to your case study - explain how these link, where this can be seen (examples) and why it is important. Susie, you have a clear link to feminism but the rest of you will have to be more inventive! You should know media theories and debates extremely well by now.

 

• A few tips for individuals:
• 
   JACK
  The future of the games console
  A study into how new technology is affecting gaming and how this impacts on the audiences who buy/play the games. As games become more real and interactive, do we become dangerously involved in their narratives? Audience theories are useful here! 
• Look at the recent flappy birds debate - people buying devices with it still installed just so they can still play the game!
• The use of voice and communication within games. Why is this important? Will this still be important in ten years?
  
   SUSIE
  Cyberfeminism
  Has the internet helped or hindered feminist causes? Has it not created more opportunities for stalking, objectifying and criticizing women? Or is it used to provide freedom of speech and to promote feminist causes?
• Look at Jameela Jamil's blog and her discussion on Beyoncé. The reaction she got was very interesting.
• Katie Hopkins and The Daily Mail - are we more open to criticising other women? Look at the argument between her and Lily Allen.
• Super injunctions and naming of victims
• Read some articles - The Guardian is a good place to look! Caitlin Moran often has interesting viewpoints
• 
   KIERAN
  The impact of Facebook on our lives
  A study into how people use Facebook in positive and potentially negative ways. Could look at Facebook campaigns, scams etc as well as controversies over privacy, control and the power and influence it has as a website. Remember to look at how it makes money and how the adverts we see are tailored to our ‘needs’.
• Look at the recent #facebookisten videos and the newly introduced use of hashtags on facebook.
• Tv advert - I'm sure there was something? Have a look!
• Debates on privacy - there are hundreds out there! Look on The Guardian and watch a few documentaries on this. You should be able to make plenty of notes. Your case study is vast so you shouldn't struggle for material.
• NekNomination videos and the debates surrounding that - encouraging binge drinking and irresponsible behaviour.
  
  ISAAC
  Youtube
  Content is generated by users however this has caused problems with copyright laws. Youtube is owned by Google so who really benefits from the site’s popularity? Look at 'prosumers'.
  Plenty to say about UGC and the issues that arise from this. Again, look at The Guardian and other newspapers for debates on this. Mashable.com might be helpful too.
• Look at ownership too
• 
  ALICIAThe music industry
  The internet had created ways for musicians to promote themselves and for some it is the reason they gained fame in the first place. Look at ways artists have used digital media to promote themselves.
• The Beyoncé videos you have looked at are great! Can you go into more detail on this? Look at her promotion as a whole and how digital media and web2.0 has changed the way she is able to do this.
• How do artists use instagram/twitter/facebook?
• Clear links to feminism and Marxism here so try to research that carefully.
  
   REBECCA
   Advertising and branding
  A study into how companies use new/digital media in innovative ways to promote brands and products. You could consider how adverts are now tailored to individual users. Is this a form of censorship? Do you see the same version of the internet as everyone else?
  Look at a few different companies and the way they use digital media in innovative ways - try Nike, Adidas, food companies, twitter as a promotional tool, John Lewis (apps etc)
• Compare digital marketing with old print - benefits?
• Google as a search tool - how does that affect what we see? You can also look at Facebook for this.
•  
• 
  JOE
   Mobile Phone Technology and Convergence
  Look at the future of mobile phones – how have we changed the way we use them from just being calling/texting devices. In the future your phone could become your wallet, with new technology which will allow you to use it as a payment card. 
• Study past mobile phones and the changes - what is available now that wasn't before? How can we purchase things with our phones? Are we reliant on mobile technology now? You could look at iphones and android here.
• Does everyone agree that convergence is a good thing? You could discuss icloud and what happens when you lose your phone.
• Look at the ease of sharing information and communication now. Marxism links here too - find out how!
• 
   BECKER
   Apple – the iPod, iPhone and iPad
  This brand has been responsible for many innovative products – they have made technology fashionable, functional and above all something which makes a statement about the owner of the device. You could look at the functions of their most iconic products and how they are changing the way we live.
•  
• Look at original Apple adverts on print and how they might have changed now.
• There are lots of debates surrounding Apple and the way that their products have a certain status ascribed to them. Look around on the internet to see what opinion people may have - Marxism ties in well here!
• Discuss convergence and synergy