Communication / Information Science 320 -- New Media and SocietySpring 2008 -- Prof. Tarleton Gillespie
Paper #1
"Concentrated, corporate ownership of the media only mattered when it was broadcast TV, newspapers, etc. - that is, when those companies determined what we would see or not see. In the new media environment, companies own open platforms, not closed channels, so there's as much room for our content as there is for theirs."This statement is your provocation. Defend it, refute it, explain it, extend it, or challenge its assumptions. Your position, whatever it may be, needs to be specific and well-supported, and must take account of opposing points of view. What will determine your grade will not be the position you take so much as the sophistication and rigor with which you support it.
Your paper must be no more than 5 pages (double-spaced, reasonable font, etc). So the challenge here is to say something specific, thoughtful, and incisive in an efficient way. I'm looking for a cogent and well-written argument; clarity, organization, and style matter. Most importantly, I expect you to support your argument using the readings. This is an opportunity to demonstrate that you are tackling the readings, taking them apart so that you understand them, challenging the arguments they offer, and synthesizing them into a deeper understanding of the ideas in the course. Your paper is due Thursday, March 6th, in class. Late papers without a legitimate excuse will be docked a full letter grade every day missed.
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