Chapter 1 Flashcards
(28 cards)
Communication
the creation and use of symbol systems that convey information and meaning (ex. languages, Morse code, motion pictures, binary code)
Culture
the symbols of expression that individuals, groups, and societies use to make sense of daily life and to articulate their values
Mass media
the cultural industries - the channels of communication - that produce and distribute songs, novels, tv shows, newspapers, movies, video games, internet services, and other cultural products to large numbers of people
mass communication
the process of designing cultural messages and stories and delivering them to large and diverse audiences through media channels as old and distinct as the printed book and as new and converged as the internet
digital communication
images, texts, and sounds are converted into electronic signals (represented as varied combinations of binary numbers - 0s and 1s) that are then reassembled (decoded) as a precise reproduction of a TV picture, or magazine article, or telephone voice, etc.
bloggers
people who post commentary on cultural, personal, and political-opinion based web sites
senders
authors, producers, and organizations
messages
programs, texts, images, sounds, and ads
mass media channel
newspapers, books, magazines, radio, television, or the internet
receivers
readers, viewers, and consumers
gatekeepers
news editors, executive producers, and other media managers
feedback
in which citizens and consumers, if they choose, return messages to senders or gatekeepers through letter-to-the-editor, phone calls, email, web postings, or talk shows
selective exposure
people typically seek messages and produce meanings that correspond to their own cultural beliefs, values, and interests
convergence
the technological merging of content across different media channels - magazine articles, radio programs, tv shows, video games, and movies now all available on the internet through laptops, tablets, and smartphones
cross platform
a business model that involves consolidating various media holdings, such as cable connections, phone services, television transmission, and internet access under one corporate umbrella.
narrative
storytelling
high culture
ballet, symphony, art museums, and classic literature. Identified with good tastes, high education, and supported by wealthy patrons and corporate donors, associated with fine art that is primarily available at libraries, theaters, and museums
low culture
icons, soap operas, rock music, radio shock jocks, and video games. Aligned with the questionable tastes of the masses, who enjoy commercial junk circulated by mass media, such as reality TV, celebrity gossip websites, and violent action films.
modern period
beginning with the industrial revolution of the 1800s and ending in the 1950s
Progressive Era
a period of social and political reform that lasted from the 1890s to the 1920s. Progressive era reformers supported women’s suffrage, prohibition, secret ballots, and the federal income tax
postmodern period
1950s to today
media literacy
an understanding of mass media and how they construct meaning
critical process
description, analysis, interpretation, evaluation, and engagement
description
paying close attention, taking notes, and researching the subject under study
