Assignment: Mass Communication
After reading Chapter I about Media Literacy, watch the "Mickey Mouse Monopoly" documentary. Then I would like you to put your media literacy skills to work on this assignment. This documentary is a bit dated, but the analysis is still relevant because it does talk about films that many of you grew up watching and that children today still watch. The documentary tends to bring out strong opinions in students who have grown up living Disney. Remember that what we are doing in this class is looking at ALL media critically. That doesn't mean we're saying media companies such as Disney are bad, or that we should censor content, but it does mean we can ask the following question: Does media have a responsibility to do a better job of representing its own audience and to stop promoting racial and gender stereotypes? And is Disney doing a better job of this in its more recent films?
Important Note: Keep in mind that this documentary was made in 2002, before films like "Brave," "Frozen," "The Princess and the Frog", and "Coco" were produced. However, the film points out some criticisms of Disney films that are still valid today. Also, it is possible that criticism such as this helped prompt Disney to diversify its content. You may wish to touch on this in your response. Before making the claim that these films simply "reflect the times" in which they were made, remember that some of these examples are from the 1980s and 1990s.
YOUTUBE VIDEO: "The Mickey Mouse Monopoly"
After viewing the film, please write your response to the main ideas proposed in the video. Choose one or two of these topics (NOT ALL OF THEM) and provide a thorough, thoughtful response of at least 300 words that includes examples from the film. You may also include information from your own research on this topic.
1. Citing examples from the video, discuss ways that gender roles and/or racial stereotypes in Disney movies can affect viewers even when they don't realize it. What stereotypes or gender roles are promoted in these films.
2. Make an argument for why you believe Disney videos are purely entertainment and do not promote stereotypes. You will need to provide evidence for your claim and refute specific claims from the video.
3. Discuss how Disney's mega-media conglomerate allows it to control many of the images and messages we're exposed to on a daily basis. What are the dangers of one company having so much control? Be sure to cite information from the video.
4. Choose a Disney movie or character and discuss the positive and negative images they send to the audience. Make sure you point out specific actions and/or characteristics, and cite information from the video.
5. What steps toward media literacy and media education should we teach children to help them critically evaluate Disney and other popular cultural products for themselves? Should this be taught in schools, the same way that analyzing literature is taught? Why or why not? Make sure to cite information from the video in your response.
The response should include a reference list. Double-space, using Times New Roman 12 pnt font, one-inch margins, and APA style of writing and citations.