For This Assignment You Will Analyze A Media Artifact Book

For This Assignment You Will Analyze A Media Artifact Book Songtele

For This Assignment You Will Analyze A Media Artifact Book Songtele

For this assignment you will analyze a media artifact (book, song, television show, or movie). After choosing your artifact, address each of the questions. Your entire response should be 1 ½ to 2 typed double-spaced pages. It should be 1-inch margins, 12 pt font in Times New Roman. Do not include the question in your submission.

Do not include the question in your submission. All assignments must be submitted as an attachment in .docx, .doc, or .rtf file format. Assignments will not be accepted in any other format. I cannot open .odt or .lnk files. Heading should be your name, date, assignment, and the artifact.

Example of Heading: Name Date Unit 4 Assignment Name and Type of Artifact

Paper For Above instruction

Media artifacts such as books, songs, television shows, and movies serve as powerful tools for cultural expression and societal reflection. Analyzing such artifacts provides insights into the creator's intentions, the societal values they promote, and their influence on audiences. This paper focuses on analyzing the film "The Pursuit of Happyness," examining the creator's message, the functions it accomplishes, applying cultivation theory, and interpreting its overall impact.

1. Who created this message?

"The Pursuit of Happyness" was directed by Gabriele Muccino and produced by Columbia Pictures, with Will Smith starring as the protagonist Chris Gardner. As a filmmaker and actor, Muccino and Smith serve as gatekeepers by selecting and shaping the narrative conveyed. The director's primary belief system revolves around perseverance, resilience, and the American Dream, emphasizing that determination can overcome socioeconomic barriers. The film seeks to tell viewers about societal issues like poverty, homelessness, and inequality, aiming to inspire hope and highlight the importance of perseverance amidst adversity.

2. Which of the five major functions does your artifact accomplish?

The primary function of "The Pursuit of Happyness" aligns with the 'Persuasion' function. The film aims to motivate and inspire audiences by portraying the protagonist's journey from homelessness to financial stability. It persuades viewers that hard work and determination can lead to success despite hardships. Additionally, it fulfills the 'Interpretive' function by providing insight into socioeconomic struggles, encouraging empathy and understanding about homelessness and poverty.

3. Apply cultivation theory to your artifact

Cultivation theory suggests that media shapes viewers' perceptions of reality. This film depicts a narrative where success is attainable through perseverance, subtly cultivating an optimistic worldview regarding social mobility. It emphasizes values such as resilience, hard work, and optimism, which may influence viewers to adopt similar beliefs about their ability to overcome challenges. However, it potentially omits the systemic barriers faced by many, offering a somewhat idealized portrayal of socioeconomic mobility.

Representation of the American Dream and individual effort is prominent, possibly leading audiences to believe that external factors like discrimination or structural inequalities are less significant than personal effort. Conversely, viewers aware of systemic issues may interpret the film as an overly simplistic view of social mobility, highlighting the importance of critically assessing media portrayals of reality.

4. Discuss the media effects of your artifact

The overall message of "The Pursuit of Happyness" is one of hope and perseverance. It encourages viewers to believe in their potential regardless of circumstances. For some, this produces a motivating effect, reinforcing the value of resilience. For others, it might generate a reciprocal effect, where viewers feel empowered but also pressured to succeed through sheer effort, potentially neglecting systemic factors.

Different audiences interpret this message differently. For instance, individuals experiencing socioeconomic hardships may perceive the film as aspirational yet feel alienated if they perceive their struggles as insurmountable due to systemic barriers. Others may see it as a validation of personal agency. This divergence illustrates the importance of context and personal background in media interpretation.

In sum, media artifacts like this film have profound effects on shaping societal perceptions. The optimistic narrative can inspire but may also unintentionally overlook structural issues that require systemic solutions. Recognizing these effects enhances media literacy and encourages nuanced understanding of media messages.

References

  • Croteau, D., & Hoynes, W. (2019). Media/Society: Industries, Images, and Audiences (6th ed.). Sage Publications.
  • Gerbner, G., & Gross, L. (1976). Living with Television: The Violence Profile. Journal of Communication, 26(2), 172-199.
  • McQuail, D. (2010). McQuail's Mass Communication Theory (6th ed.). Sage Publications.
  • Gerbner, G., Morgan, M., & Signorielli, N. (2002). Growing up with television: The cultivation perspective. In J. Bryant & D. Zillmann (Eds.), Media effects: Advances in theory and research (pp. 43-68). Routledge.
  • Hetsroni, A., & Tukachinsky, R. (2020). American Dream narratives in Hollywood movies. Journal of Communication, 70(2), 237-256.
  • Jenkins, H. (2006). Convergence Culture: Where Old and New Media Collide. NY University Press.
  • Bandura, A. (2001). Social cognitive theory. In J. H. Harvey (Ed.), Handbooks of social psychology (pp. 3-49). Cambridge University Press.
  • Gerbner, G., & Field, D. (1970). Communication Models and Cultural Symbols. Harper & Row.
  • Potter, W. J. (2013). Media Literacy (6th ed.). Sage Publications.
  • Scharrer, E. (2012). Media effects. In J. D. Wright (Ed.), International encyclopedia of the social & behavioral sciences (2nd ed., Vol. 16, pp. 124-129). Elsevier.

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