During the semester, I shall post course material and students will comment on it. Students are also free to comment on any aspect of media politics, either current or historical. There are only two major limitations: no coarse language, and no derogatory comments about people at the Claremont Colleges.
NBC's (dearly departed) 30 Rock often satirized the current media landscape. Given our discussion of conglomerates, here's a relevant clip in which then-CEO of NBC Jack Donaghy explains the many subsidiaries of GE (starts at about 1:10):
Yeah, this is similar to the Simpsons constantly poking fun at Fox. I tend to cynically think that these alleged critiques of the networks' parent companies are actually very calculated. In my media studies classes we've talked about "narcotizing" effect; because 30 Rock is acting as though it is slightly politically subversive and critical of GE, viewers will feel complacent and less guilty about watching it—yet of course will actually be supporting GE by continuing to watch the show.
Yeah, this is similar to the Simpsons constantly poking fun at Fox. I tend to cynically think that these alleged critiques of the networks' parent companies are actually very calculated. In my media studies classes we've talked about "narcotizing" effect; because 30 Rock is acting as though it is slightly politically subversive and critical of GE, viewers will feel complacent and less guilty about watching it—yet of course will actually be supporting GE by continuing to watch the show.
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