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CCT 300: Critical Analysis of Media

CCT 300: Critical Analysis of Media. Class 1: Introduction. Welcome!. A bit about me… A bit about you: a) In the last 24 hours, what media have you used. For how long? b ) What is your single largest concern with media today? . Critical? Analysis? Media?.

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CCT 300: Critical Analysis of Media

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  1. CCT 300:Critical Analysis of Media Class 1: Introduction

  2. Welcome! • A bit about me… • A bit about you: • a) In the last 24 hours, what media have you used. For how long? • b) What is your single largest concern with media today?

  3. Critical? Analysis? Media? • What is a medium of communication? • What does “analysis” entail? What does it mean to analyze something critically?

  4. Analysis of Media • Many types of media forms and genres • Analysis = identification of core components, reduction of complexity - often to classify and differentiate between media forms • Critical analysis = reflection on nature and form, but also impact and consequence • Seems simple at first but can get complex and can be done sloppily

  5. Strong Arguments Are… • Clear • Accurate • Relevant • Sufficiently Deep • Logical • Significant • Fair

  6. Course Overview • Contact information and how to use it • Lecture and lab hours (lab overcrowding = no.) • NB: Prerequisite note

  7. Texts • McCloud’s Understanding Comics (1993) • Don’t let the book format trick you into reading superficially • Comics as base point for analysis - other media examples will be added throughout, highlighted through readings and lab work

  8. Assignments • Weekly Lab Assignments/Wiki Creation • Graphic Novel Analysis • Comic Creation • Culture Jamming/Social Influence • Exam

  9. Weekly Lab Assignments (8 * 2%) • Norman will post weekly reflection questions – some time to discuss and work on these in labs • Due following week • 8 overall – so if you’re busy, you can skip a couple • No late submissions – we’ll check weekly, and if it’s not there, it’s not there • Quality reflections – full marks; partial or limited reflections, less so

  10. Wiki (4%) • http://cct300-f09.wikispaces.com • SLATE = NO. (Why?) • Wiki sign up, personal page creation tutorial tonight, including tips on what to do • General principle – early and often contributions of value are good – late dumping of contributions of limited value, not so much • Previous wikis are available – check them out!

  11. Graphic Novel Analysis (15%) • Applying principles of McCloud’s Understanding Comics to graphic novel/extended plot comic of your choosing (5-7 page paper) • Illustration/examples are helpful to include • Choice of analytical tools from McCloud up to you - a scattershot approach is never effective though • Other resources never hurt – e.g., external analyses, etc. - but do focus on McCloud

  12. Tips • Strip collections aren’t a good choice - why? • Simple cartoons (e.g., Archie?) probably harder than you think – why? • Non-English comics OK (as long as you understand the language…) • Be careful with books turned into movies – no compare/contrast, definitely no just seeing the movie! • Less about plot than analysis of comic form • Where to look for graphic novels?

  13. Comic Creation (15%) • Creating a webcomic using Comic Life and other tools • 2 page analysis of why you did what you did, leveraging McCloud concepts

  14. Tips • This is not an art assignment – many good webcomics are artistically rudimentary • Story counts, as well as proper thought in visual grammar of comics to tell it • Start looking at various web comics for inspiration and ideas; play with Comic Life (on J316 computers, can be downloaded as trial version) or other related comic creation software

  15. Culture Jamming/Social Influence (25%) • Group final project - creating a culture jamming or social influence campaign • Proposal to outline idea – with feedback loop (not just up) • Final project presented in last labs – “science fair” style presentations, in front of Norman or myself, 5-7 mins, advancing main goal and showcasing what was done to meet it

  16. Tips • Pick media that suits message and audience • Pick media you are comfortable with and you can feasibly engage given time/resource constraints • Conform to standards of media genre • Be innovative; avoid standard topics if you have nothing to contribute to the effort • Be cautious about what you say!

  17. Exam (25%) • Formal final exam at UTM during exam period • Covering major topics over course of term • Focus on critical awareness and application vs. regurgitation of fact • Lecture notes and discussion of lab articles are fair game • Details and examples will follow nearer conclusion of term

  18. Important Policy Notes • Academic honesty is taken seriously • Accessibility concerns – talk to me confidentially • Due dates/lateness policy – weekly assignments checked weekly ONLY

  19. Next … • Reading is a bit dense, but important… • Labs tonight - scheduling, wiki setup, and some bits on first assignment

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