MTD1Assignment1AB
MTD 1 Tues 12:30 section - Barbier
Assignment 1 Due week 5, 10/3 in class
Presentation: 25 points. Paper, 50 points. 15% of total grade.
Project 1: Static (single) image. Choose a “found” image (not one of your own), and discuss how you construct meaning from it, and the possible meanings that may be constructed. The paper (3-5 pages) should connect to, quote, and discuss meaningfully a minimum of three ideas/concepts/theories that we have so far considered in class or in the readings.
Goals: to begin to display an understanding of the social and cultural implications of media; to begin to display an understanding of basic communication, media, cultural, and semiotic theories; to begin to demonstrate the ability to critically analyze media design from a variety of theoretical perspectives in written and verbal form.
Find an image that interests you and that is sufficiently complex to bear scrutiny. It should be a found image, not one you have created yourself. Advertising images, because they are highly produced, are appropriate for this assignment.
There are 3 parts to this assignment:
1: Image and image subversion: Obtain an image and make a copy. The image can be on paper or in electronic form. If on paper, it should be no larger than 8.5 x 11”. The copy should be modified by you in such a way that it deconstructs the meaning of the original and makes the meaning clearer or subverts it. For example, in class we discussed an image of Arnold Schwarznegger and Maria Shriver and then saw a version of the image in which their heads were exchanged.
2: Write a 3-5 page paper which discusses the image in terms of its significance as a sign, its value as a cultural mythology, the means it uses to convey its message, etc. Begin with, but do not limit your discussion to, a description of the image. You may discuss the function and intention of the image, how it may be received (by you and others) and whether you think it achieves its goal successfully. If you use footnotes, put them at the end of the paper and do not count them as a part of the 3-5 p. length. Use 12 pt. Times font, single-spaced.
3: Be prepared to show your images and give a brief – no more than 5 minute – presentation of your main points in class. You can put them in your student account folder and call them up via the intranet, or you can bring them in on CD or on paper (we have a small graphics stand that can be displayed on the projector).
Handing it in: your paper and images should be in your account in your MTD 1 folder, in the subfolder pub. Please title the paper “Firstname.lastname.asn1.doc”, and the images “Firstname.lastname.asn1orig.jpg” and “Firstname.lastname.asn1mod.jpg”.
Asn. 1, 75 points total
92.5 - 100% A 69-75 points
89.5 - 92.4 A- 67 - 68
86.5 - 89.4 B+ 64.5 - 66
82.5 - 86.4 B 61 - 64
79.5 - 82.4 B- 60 - 61
76.5 - 79.4 C+ 57 - 60
72.5 - 76.4 C 54 - 56
69.5 - 72.4 C- 52 - 54
59.5 - 69.4 D 45 - 51
44 and below F
Was the original image well chosen to provide a rich field for reading and theorizing?
Was the modification effective in changing/undermining the original intention of the image?
Was the presentation well organized, interesting and convincing?
Was the paper well argued and thorough, did it use and attribute ideas from the readings and from class discussion, screening and lecture in making and supporting points?
Was the paper well written?
