Self Reflection

My favorite unit this year was our advertising unit, because it was kind of like an eye opening experience to see how these big companies use all these tactics to try and sell products. I found it interesting to learn about how these big companies and advertising companies try to get inside your head and use your own inner thoughts against you. For example, Freud’s idea of playing on one’s biggest fears. Another unit I really enjoyed because of how much it opened my eyes was our demographic unit, I didn’t realize how much of a lack of diversity is in the media, and if there is diversity it is often followed by stereotypes (aggressive black people, crazy latinos, smart asians). It really shocked me, being a white female, by how I never even noticed the lack of representation in the media. I had always been in my little bubble of life and had the luxury of looking up on the screen and seeing characters that looked like me. I never realized others never saw themselves represented on screen. I strongly believe the media needs to work on being more inclusive for all minorities, with all kinds of positions and job opportunities.

I definitely enjoyed this class and think that more schools should incorporate it into their curriculum. Especially now the media is our addiction, our source for entertainment, and news. Therefore, more students should learn about it because it’s such an essential part of our society.

Also I enjoyed how you always encouraged us to dig deeper and find the hidden meanings behind the scenes in the media. It really helped me understand what kinds of information we are receiving from the media and it allows me to make a judgement about the source and what they are really saying. This was especially important in our advertising unit and fake news unit. For example, how the media can spin information to appeal to a certain group of people and prey on their lack of knowledge spreading the fake news. Also, in advertising the whole point is for companies to trick us into thinking we need the product they are selling. However, you taught us to just take a moment and think about the deeper meaning about the ad or article before taking action in either buying the product or publishing the fake news to social media.

I wish we focused on social media (instagram, twitter, Tiktok) and how it affects our everyday lives. What social media will look like in the future.

I would recommend this class for people who don’t really know what they want to major in college because it helps broaden your horizon, and covers a lot of different areas and is very interesting to learn about how much influence the media has on us.