TV Ads Through the Ages

This is a MediaNote Classic. MC101 students originally saw it in January 2015.

The slickest ads don't try to sell a product on its merits. Instead, they create a sort of dream life around the product. We will view Several TV ads from different eras.

Kool (1958)

Coca-Cola (1971)

Apple Computer (1984)

Questions...

•What does the ad say about the actual features of the product?

•How does the ad create a sort of dreamlife around the product?

•Who is the target customer of the product?

"Reality" Television's Real-World Effects

The following is a Mediate Classic. It was originally presented to MC101 classes in March 2015.

Your Humble Blogger is not a big fan of reality television (unless you include Dodger games). But reality television is an interesting window into culture, especially when it is reflected back to us from overseas. Do people in other countries really think "The Kardashians" is an accurate reflection of American life? Do we think it is? NPR reports.

Questions...

•Is reality TV real? How is it real and how is it not?

•What parts of American popular culture tend to be imitated in other countries? Are those things also imitated in the United States?

•What messages do shows like "The Kardashians" send to young women? What is important to young women in the reality TV world? What isn't so important?

How to Not Stay at GCC Forever

The following email was sent to Your Humble Blogger from Dr. Kevin Meza, director of the GCC Transfer Center. Here is Dr. Meza's email...

Hello GCC!

The Transfer Center will be holding an open computer lab for UC application updates (for those who applied for the fall 2016 term) and USC application workshops during the month of January. Please share this information with your students.

Did you apply to any of the UCs for the fall of 2016?
If you have applied to the UC system, January is the month when you input your fall grades and update your planned courses for the winter and spring terms. We will have open computer labs (with counselor support) to help you with this process. The schedule is listed below.

Did you know that GCC is one of the top transfer colleges to USC?
We would also like to encourage you to apply to USC for the fall of 2016. The application is due February 1. Don’t let the cost of a private school intimidate you. Apply for financial aid and see what USC can offer you if you are admitted. We will hold USC application workshops throughout the month of January. The schedule is listed below.

UC Application Update Open Computer Lab:
Wednesday, January 13, 2016 10:30am- 12:00pm SR 324
Thursday, January 14, 2016 1:20pm- 3:00pm SR 324
Tuesday, January 19, 2016 10:30am- 12:00pm SR 324
Wednesday, January 20, 2016 5:00pm- 7:00pm SR 324

USC Application Workshops:
Wednesday, January 13, 2016 5:30pm- 6:45pm SF 108
Thursday, January 14, 2016 10:30am- 12:00pm SR 324
Tuesday, January 19, 2016 12:30pm- 2:00pm SR 324
Wednesday, January 27, 2016 10:30am- 12:00pm SF 108

Another Extra Credit Opportunity

Your Humble Blogger is a staunch supporter of the Keys to College Success workshops presented through the Learning Center. MC101 students can attend any of the workshops listed below for two extra points per workshop. Students completing all three workshops will receive two points per workshop, plus a two-point completion bonus for a total of eight points. Details are listed below...

Did you know that you can grow your brain?

To find out how, come to the Keys to College Success Workshops, part of the Learning Center’s regular workshop series in AD 232!

Wednesday, January 13 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.: Workshop #1- What Happens in Your Brain When You Learn
In this workshop, students will learn about how our brain develops new neural pathways when we learn new skills and how practicing those new skills can make those pathways stronger.

Wednesday, January 20 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.: Workshop #2 - Intelligent Practice
This workshop focuses on the concept that it's important to work smarter, not just harder, and that working smarter means finding good strategies and being willing to ask for help from others.

Wednesday, January 27 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.: Workshop #3 - Cultivating a Growth Mindset
In the last workshop, students will learn about the difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset and how cultivating a growth mindset can increase your chances of succeeding.

The workshops are presented as a series of three, but you don’t have to take all three. Feel free to attend any one or two, even if you missed the previous one or can’t take a subsequent one. Students can sign up for workshops by going to My GCC and clicking on the workshop link.

Serving to Inform

Local newspapers are often the only news organizations to cover local politics, business and other community affairs in a reasonably comprehensive way. Trouble is, hometown newspapers across the country are in desperate financial trouble, and the Los Angeles Times is no exception. After numerous rounds of cuts to the newsroom budget, city leaders are wondering whether local ownership may be better for the city than ownership by the Chicago-based Tribune Corporation. NPR reports.

Questions...

•How does a local newspaper serve the people of its community? How do people benefit from it?

•Which is worse: A far-off corporate owner that doesn't care about the community, or a local billionaire with a political agenda?

•Where do you get your news? How could newspapers become more relevant to your lives?

•How can serious local news be made profitable?

LA Times Field Trip, Jan. 11

***THIS FIELD TRIP IS ON MONDAY, JAN. 11. CLASS WILL NOT BE HELD ON CAMPUS THAT DAY. SIGN UP ONLY IF YOU ARE ABLE TO ATTEND THE FIELD TRIP. CONSULT YOUR FIELD TRIP FLYER FOR FURTHER DETAILS.***

***UPDATE, SUNDAY, JAN. 10: BOTH FIELD TRIPS ARE FULL.***

All Mass Comm 101 field trips are optional and extra-credit.

Driven to Distraction

It has to be scary to be a car company executive watching Google take the lead in driverless car technology. So it makes sense that Ford and Toyota are responding with car navigation and entertainment systems that bypass the rapidly-evolving tech giants. Reuters reports.

Questions...

•If a car self-drives, what communications could potentially be in the car?

•What information could be gathered from people out in their cars? How might advertisers use it?

•Are car radios obsolete?