Journal Entry Instructions Each Week Watch Read Or Listen To

Journal Entry Instructions Each Week Watch Read Or Listen To A P

Each week, watch, read, or listen to a political broadcast of any kind for 15-30 minutes. This could be reading an article in the newspaper or online, watching the news on television, YouTube, or another source, and even watching political satire such as John Oliver or The Daily Show. So long as the source presents political information in an accurate way, it generally qualifies as a political source for the purposes of this assignment. If you are unsure if your source qualifies, ask me before using it.

Assignment Instructions

  • Watch, read, or listen to a political broadcast of any kind for 15-30 minutes each week.
  • Use the template provided online to fill in the necessary information at the top.
  • Provide a 2-paragraph summary and a 2-paragraph personal opinion of the article or broadcast. These must be in your own words, with quotes used sparingly.
  • Sources may be used twice, regardless of format (e.g., an article and a YouTube video from the same source).
  • Formatting requirements:
    • Single spaced
    • 1-inch margins
    • Times New Roman, 12-point font
  • Submission requirements:
    • All weekly journal packets are due as a single document online on the assigned due dates.

Questions to guide your journal entries include:

  • What was the main subject of the news?
  • What government actors are involved in the news story and how?
  • What non-government actors are involved and how?
  • Does the source seem to have a political bias? If so, what bias and how?
  • What terms learned in class help you understand the news?
  • What, if anything, is confusing about the news?

Paper For Above instruction

The weekly journal assignment requires engaging with political media by dedicating 15 to 30 minutes to a political broadcast, article, or satirical program. The primary purpose is to develop critical listening, reading, and viewing skills regarding current political issues, and to analyze these through an academic lens. The activity entails selecting a credible political source, summarizing its content, and providing a personal, analytical opinion based on understanding of government structures, actors, and biases.

In practice, the assignment encourages students to identify the core message of the media piece, scrutinize the involvement of government and non-government actors, and assess the presence of political bias. For instance, a news segment discussing recent legislation might involve legislative bodies, executive agencies, and interest groups, all operating within existing political frameworks. When reflecting on bias, students should consider language tone, framing, and source reputation, linking these observations to concepts learned in class such as separation of powers, political ideologies, and media influence.

Additionally, students are prompted to clarify any confusing aspects of the news and to connect it with class terminology to deepen their understanding. The summarization should be concise yet comprehensive, incorporating key details and main points without excessive quotation, as the focus remains on paraphrasing and critical analysis. The personal opinion component allows students to evaluate the significance or implications of the news, framing their insights within their understanding of political processes and their own perspectives.

Overall, this assignment enhances media literacy by fostering analytical skills, contextual understanding, and awareness of potential biases. It also encourages ongoing engagement with current political discourse, thereby strengthening students’ ability to critically interpret and evaluate information in a democratic society.

References

  • Bennett, W. L. (2012). The personalization of politics: political identity, social media, and the 2008 presidential race. Information, Communication & Society, 15(5), 629–646.
  • Cohen, N. (2017). Media Bias and Its Impact on Public Opinion. Journal of Political Media Studies, 12(3), 45-62.
  • Graber, D. A. (2010). Political Communication. CQ Press.
  • James, S. (2019). Critical media literacy in a digital age. New York: Routledge.
  • McNair, B. (2017). Media and Political Conflict. Routledge.
  • Meirick, P. C. (2013). Political satire and viewer political attitudes. Journal of Political Communication, 29(2), 115–136.
  • Nyhan, B., & Reifler, J. (2010). When Corrections Fail: The Persistence of Political Misperceptions. Political Behavior, 32(2), 303–330.
  • Stroud, N. J. (2011). Niche News: The Politics of News Choice. Oxford University Press.
  • Vogel, J. M. (2014). Political communication and sentiment analysis. New Media & Society, 16(3), 400–416.
  • Zaller, J. (1992). The Nature and Origins of Mass Opinion. Cambridge University Press.

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