Media Consumption Log

Part 1: Media Consumption Log
For the first part of this assignment you need to compile a log of your media consumption on three separate days. The first and second days should represent typical school days; the third day should represent a typical non-school day (e.g., the weekend). All three days should be representative of your general media activity. For each day, your assignment is to log all media activity, including: listening to the radio, surfing the Internet, reading the paper, talking on the phone, etc. You can organize this log in whatever fashion makes the most sense to you but I would suggest modifying the accompanying template/example
Download template/example
or using this chart/log
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(example included in document). Keep in mind that the more information you collect about your media consumption the easier it will be to complete the second part of this assignment, which is described below. (You can also open and use the following for your log worksheet: Your Media Use Log.doc
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Part 2: Reflective Writing Assignment (this is to be two pages in length)
For the second part of this assignment you need to analyze your media consumption log and write a reflective essay about what it reveals about your relationship to the media environment. The purpose of this assignment is to get you to think critically about the role that media play in your life, the amount of media that you consume, the kind of media that you consume, why you consume particular forms of media over others, what impact these media have on you as a consumer/citizen, etc.
Beyond compiling your media consumption log no additional reading or research is necessary. However, you are expected to make ties to course readings and discussion – specifically our Hanson textbook, the Waters article “Electronic Isolation Gives Us Cold Comfort”
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and Postman’s “Amusing Ourselves to Death” reading
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.
Consider questions such as: Are you “amusing yourselves to death” to paraphrase Postman? In what way(s)? Provide examples from your media log. Waters wrote, “Planet Dave is a nice place to visit. I can’t afford to live there.” Why not? What’s wrong with Planet Dave? In your opinion, what are the pros and cons of our MEdia culture? How does Planet [insert your name here] impact your life?
Please make sure to upload both your completed media consumption log and your reflective paper when you turn in this assignment as you will be graded on both.
This journal should be approximately 2 pages, typed and double-spaced; 12 point font, 1-inch margins, proper spelling, syntax and grammar.
You will be evaluated on: (1) the comprehensiveness of your media consumption log and (2) the clarity, organization and depth of your reflections on your media consumption.