Chapter Sixteen..

1. Have you ever had an experience in which you thought personal or public expression went too far and should be curbed? Explain. How might you remedy this situation?

I do not have an experience that comes to mind in which I thought that personal or public expression went too far and should be curbed. There have been times in which I thought that I should have reacted to situations in different ways than I did. But if I could go back in time, I would probably react to situations the same way that I did the previous times.

3. The writer A. J. Liebling once said that freedom of the press belonged to only those who owned one. Explain why you agree or disagree.

After reading A.J. Liebling’s statement about freedom of the press belonging to only one who owns one, I would have to say that I disagree.  Personally, I believe that freedom of the press belongs to everyone who works within a newspaper office, book industries, etc. If freedom of the press only belonged to those who owned one, then the employees of certain agencies such as a newspaper office wouldn’t have a job. Whoever owned the press would be the one responsible for everything. I just don’t see that as being fair. Thankfully, the Constitution of the United States prevents anything like this from happening by having a particular amendment in which freedom of the press is listed.

Chapter Fifteen...

1. What are your main concerns or criticisms about the state of media studies at your college or university?

Currently, I cannot think of any main concerns or criticisms about the state of media studies at Lenoir-Rhyne University. I haven’t really paid attention to any of it. I’ve been more focused on just getting my education by staying focused with my classes that I have at the particular time.

4. In looking at media courses in a college curriculum, what do you think the relationship is between theory and practice? Do hands-on, practical-skills courses such as news reporting, advertising copywriting, or TV production belong in a liberal arts college or in a separate mass communication college? Explain your answer.

There is a huge difference between theory and practice. Theory would probably state that the media courses within a university have to do with entertainment. Practice would be actually practicing different types of activities that involve the different types of media. I believe that hands-on, practical-skills courses such as: news reporting, advertising, copywriting, and TV production belong in both a liberal arts college or in a separate mass communication college. In order for a student to major in communications or any other sort of major, they must have experience in practicing certain situations such as news reporting, etc.

Chapter Thirteen...

1. Are you exposed to popular culture from other countries? Why or why not? Give some examples.

Yes, I would have to say that in more ways than one, the United States is exposed to popular culture from other countries. A few examples of this would be religious holidays, restaurants, churches, remedies, commercials, etc. Americans are also bad for exposing their culture on other countries. Not only do other countries try to push their religious beliefs and things on Americans, we tend to try and push our culture on other countries instead of just showing them exactly we believe in.

2. Do you read international news? Why or why not?

I do not read international news. I tend to focus mainly on the local news and things that are going on in the surrounding counties and in America. Truly, I don’t see the point in reading international news. I guess it would keep me more up to date as to what exactly is going on around the world, but there are plenty of things going on in America that we need to be aware of such as: poverty, world hunger, etc. As a Christian and a member of Crosspoint Church, I tend to get upset whenever churches decide to go on mission trips in random states other than North Carolina or other countries. I understand the purpose in going on a mission trip and that you are trying to get people to come to Christ, but there is plenty going on around us that churches should support first before reaching out to other countries.

Chapter Twelve..

1. What do you think of when you hear the term public relations? What images come to mind? Where did these impressions come from?

Before class today, I had heard of the term public relations but I never knew what it was. I always thought that it just had to do with working one-on-one with the public. I had seen publicists in movies such as Valentine's Day but I never really knew that their job was mainly focused on public relations. I had no idea that public relations is about "the total communication strategies conducted by a person, a government, or an organization attempting to reach and persuade an audience to adopt a point of view" (Campbell, Fabos, & Martin). This kind of sounds like a presidential campaign.

2. What might a college or university do to improve public relations with homeowners on the edge of a campus who have to deal with noisy student parties and a shortage of parking spaces?

Out of all the questions, I found this one to be the toughest to answer. I'm sure that living on the edge of a campus for homeowners is nerve racking. If I was someone who worked in public relations, I would have specific events in which the homeowners could go out and about one night so that they won't have to hear the noisy students on campus. Another idea is that they should offer them discounted or free tickets to see events in P.E. Monroe Auditorium. They could also plan an event just for the homeowners surrounding the university in appreciation for the things they deal with on a daily basis.

Chapter Eleven...

1. What is your earliest recollection of watching a television commercial? Do you have a favorite ad? A most-despised ad? What is it about these ads that you particularly like or dislike?

I really don't remember what the first television commercial was that I ever saw. More than likely, it was some kind of toy that I thought was the coolest thing ever and had to have. I would have to say that my favorite ad as of right now would have to be the SunDrop commercial on television. My most-despised ad would have to be the Kia Soul commercial with the mice. The fact that the mice rap drives me crazy. My dad also feels the need to go around singing this commercial at least once a day. (That makes me really aggravated). What I like about the SunDrop commercial is that it is creative; whereas, the Kia Soul commercial is a little too much. The commercial seems as if it goes on for five minutes straight.

2. Why are so many people critical of advertising?

I would have to say that people are so critical of advertising because it's pushed in our faces on a daily basis. There's no way to avoid having an ad right in front of you whether it be in a subway station, newspaper stand, grocery store, a university, etc. Everywhere you go, someone is always trying to advertise a particular product. One thing about advertising that gets on my nerves especially is television commercials. Commercials tend to take up the majority of your time when watching television. For example, American Idol has become really popular over the years. Throughout this particular show, Ryan Seacrest announces breaks at least ten times. If it wasn't for the commercials and everything, American Idol by itself would probably only last around twenty minutes whenever it's broadcasted for an hour. But there is no way to avoid watching commercials; therefore, you have the choice to either change the channel or mute your television. Hopefully within the next few years, advertising will find a new method besides being aired on television or on the internet.

Chapter Ten..

5. Why do you think the availability of television and cable hasn't substantially decreased the number of new book titles available each year? What do books offer that television doesn't?

I’m not surprised that neither TV nor cable has substantially decreased the number of books produced. There are a number of people in the United States who read books on a daily basis during their free time to keep this industry growing exponentially. Books have a lot more to offer than television. For one, they’re in hard copy and they’re guaranteed to last a lifetime as long as they are taken care of. Secondly, books have a wider variety than television. Television rarely has anything on that is worth watching. With books, you will find something that catches your attention whether it be a mystery, romance, or horror novel. With a library card, books can be provided whenever you want them; whereas, television only plays certain things each day.

6. Would you read a book on an iPod or a kindle? Why or why not?

I’m really not sure if I would read a book on an iPod or a kindle. I probably wouldn’t enjoy reading a book that way. I’m a “touchy-feely” kind of person so more than likely, I would prefer a hardcopy of a book rather than having a virtual copy. The hardcopy is something that you can keep for a lifetime; whereas, you aren’t guaranteed forever with a virtual copy. Unfortunately however, I do believe that that’s where the book industry is headed because of our technological advancements. Everyone seems to be turning to the idea of the kindle rather than having their own personal copy of a book. I believe that this will be the only way to read a book within the next fifteen years.

Chapter Nine..

6. Discuss whether your favorite magazines define you primarily as a consumer or as a citizen. Do you think magazines have a responsibility to educate their readers as both? What can they do to promote responsible citizenship?


I would have to say that my favorite magazines define me primarily as a consumer, not as a citizen. I tend to subscribe to the Seventeen and Vogue magazines more than any other certain type of magazine. I love to look at the different types of designer clothing, the hairstyles, and even the makeup. I'm not sure Vogue or Seventeen magazines would educate readers both as a consumer and a citizen. Looking at the hottest trends and makeup has nothing to do with being a citizen. These products aren't only sold in America, but they are sold in other countries as well. 


7. Do you think the Internet will eventually displace magazines? Why or why not?


Personally, I believe that the Internet will displace magazines in the near future. The Internet is slowly starting to replace the newspaper industry; therefore, I can see the magazine industry being affected as well. U.S. citizens have started to use search engines such as: Google, Yahoo, MSN, etc. to get their daily news, directions, recipes, as well as, the latest trends. I expect magazines to quit being produced by the year 2050. They may even disappear before that. They have slowly started to die out already. Many U.S. citizens never take the time to stop by the magazine section in a store anyways. By 2050, I believe that almost everything will end up being virtual rather than being printed in hard copy. 

Chapter Eight...

2. Why do you think people aren't reading U.S. daily newspapers as frequently as they once did? Why is newspaper readership going up in other countries?

I believe that people aren’t reading newspapers anymore because people are tending to use the Internet to get their news instead of purchasing newspapers. If you use the Internet to get your news, it’s free. But if you purchase a newspaper from a stand outside a gas station, it’s like two-dollars in quarters. I would much rather use my quarters to purchase a carwash than to use them to buy a paper whenever it’s just as easy for me to log on my laptop. Newspaper readership is going up in other countries because of the digital divide. Other countries besides America tend to have less access to technology. They also want to have a way to stay in touch with their everyday lives and what’s going on in their surroundings.

5. Will blogs and other Internet news services eventually replace newspapers? Explain your response.

When it comes to blogs and Internet news services replacing newspapers, my personal opinion is I believe that it’s going to happen in the near future. Like I mentioned in my earlier post, people would much rather use the Internet to get their news instead of purchasing newspapers. It’s more convenient if you have access to that particular technology. I don’t know that blogs will replace newspapers though; people tend to use blogs for their “diaries,” instead of using them for news. Blogs are easier to post about your everyday life, certain topics, etc. I do not foresee them being our everyday method of finding out our daily news.

Chapter Seven...

2. Do you remember seeing a movie you were not allowed to see? Discuss the experience.


The only time that I remember trying to see a movie that I wasn't allowed to see was whenever I went to visit my cousin Katheryne, who lives in Wilmington, NC. Katheryne and I went to the movies with a friend of hers and the girls dad. The dad paid for us tickets to see one movie, and he went into a different part of the theater to see the Weatherman. Well, my cousin and I decided that we were going to attempt to sneak into one of the Saw movies instead of the movie that that girls dad paid for, and we got caught by an employee. Instead of us sneaking into the correct theater, we snuck into one where the employees had started to clean between shows. The employee informed us that we were underage and that we needed to go into the same part of the theater that the dad was in. When my parents found out that I ended up seeing the Weatherman, they weren't overly thrilled. The Weatherman was rated R, and it had the "f" word almost every other word. They also were very disappointed that I tried to sneak into a different movie that I hadn't paid for. Needless to say, I haven't attempted to try to sneak into another movie since then.


3. How often do you go to a movie theaters today? How often do you play DVDs on a television at home, or watch movies on a computer? Which experience do you prefer and why?


Ever since the movie ticket prices went up, my boyfriend and I don't go to the movies very often. We tend to rent our movies more than anything. It's cheaper, and it's more convenient. We play DVDs on the television at home on a regular basis; however, we don't watch movies on my computer ever.  It may be more convenient to get our DVD's on a computer than it is to drive to the video store, but we both would much rather take the time to get the hardcopy of the DVD. We tend to watch movies almost every time we get together. That's what we like to do.

Chapter Six...

1. How many cable channels do you watch regularly? What programs do you watch? What attracts you to a certain channel?


For as long as I can remember, my family has always had satellite instead of cable. I'm sure at one point in time when I was little, we had cable but I don't remember it. So, I don't watch cable regularly. On satellite, however, I watch quite a few channels regularly such as: Disney, WCCB, ABC Family, GSN, MTV, along with a few others. I tend to watch programs like: House, Sex and the City, Baggage, Jerseylicious, Jersey Shore, and many others. Depending upon what is playing on a particular channel is how I choose what I want to watch.  


6. Some critics argue that citizens no longer participate in traditional neighborhood activities and that cable has played a role in fragmenting society, keeping us in our homes. Do you agree or disagree? What has cable done well, and in what ways has it adversely affected society?


After reading this statement, I agree that citizens no longer participate in traditional neighborhood and activities because cable has played a role in fragmenting society, and keeping citizens in their home. Cable is an advantage to citizens because it is our source of entertainment, news, etc. If we didn't have cable or satellite TV, then we wouldn't have any means of keeping up with what's happening in today's society besides in the newspaper. Cable has affected society because it has caused Americans to become lazy and overweight. Americans would rather sit at home on the couch and watch TV than go to work or go out. 

Chapter Five..

1. Describe your earliest memories of watching television. What was your favorite show? Which, if any, shows did your family watch together? Were there shows that you were not allowed to watch? Which ones and why?

My earliest memory of watching television was whenever I use to watch Barney as a younger child. That was my absolute favorite show and I couldn't miss any episode. If Barney was on television, I made my family watch it no matter if they would have rather watched something else. There were plenty of shows and movies that my parents didn't allow me to watch. Movies that were R-rated or PG-13 were definitely off limits. My parents are still this way with my youngest sister, Taylor, who is only eleven years old. My parents supervised everything that I did as a kid because they were afraid that I would run across something that I didn't need to see. Nowadays, it's pathetic what adults allow their children to see on television. Whenever I get married and have children, I plan on being almost exactly like my parents were, overprotective.  

2. How much television do you watch today? Which programs do you try to watch regularly? What attracts you to your favorite program(s)?

Recently, I have become quite a television addict. Last year, I didn't watch nearly as much television as I do now. I watch television almost everyday now especially with my boyfriend, Joshua Fox. I watch Jersey Shore, House, Sex and the City, Jerseylicious, The Ellen Show, The Tyra Banks Show, and many more. There are many things that attract me to these different programs. When it comes to Jerseyshore and Jerseylicious, both of these shows are pretty much reality shows. They are full of drama. The Ellen and the Tyra Banks shows, they are just very exciting for me. I love seeing what famous actors/ actresses that Ellen brings on her shows, and all of her crazy dances that she does before the beginning of each show. Sex and the City is just a television series that has caught my interest recently. Each episode is interesting, and there is always something new happening. As for House, I've always been interesting in pursuing some sort of medical career. House has just always been enticing for me because of the different symptoms and things that his patient's have and his diagnosis.