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21L.015 INTRODUCTION TO MEDIA STUDIES

20 February 1997

 

PAPER 5: SUGGESTED TOPICS

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THE DETECTIVE ACROSS MEDIA

• Compare the character of the detective across media. What characteristics of the detective can be emphasized in each media (style, tone, detctive-ness etc.).
• Discuss Steven Marcus' piece about the ethical and philosophical difference between Sam Spade, the Continental Op and other detectives. Is what Marcus says relevant to The Maltese Falcon?
• Compare the representation of the detective in print or film (or radio-- e.g.Dragnet) and the representation of the police in Cops.

PROPAGANDA

• Discuss Triumph of the Will,how does propaganda function in this film? What must be present for propaganda to work?
• Use Professor Widdig's lecture about propaganda to think about Cops, or any other "reality" television.
• What is the difference between propaganda and advertising? Is it useful to distinguish?

REALITY TV

• Is Cops an effective deterrent of crime? Is this its purpose? If not, what is the function of a show such as Cops or other "reality" TV in our society?
• Is Errol Morris abusing his subjects in Interrotron Stories? If so, what point is he trying to make with regard to documentary, truth telling, and representation?
• What is the difference between the documentary tradition and "reality" TV? Use Nichols.