Fall, 2003

Dr. Janet McMullen

Updated: 09/29/2003

While theses tutorials were better than the previous batch, there are still some serious problems. For one thing, most of you disregarded the obvious structure.  In the class and in the text, three requirements of communication are clearly stated. These three should form the structure of your tutorial.  Some of you mentioned them the beginning but never addressed them again.  Further, I had no sense that you understood how the other concepts you presented fit in relation to these three requirements.  

Further many of you did not discuss key concepts:

• the definitions of terms like signification, sign, signifier, text, semiotics

• types of signs

• code

• conventions

• connotation

• metaphor

• myth

• sign systems, semiotic systems, 

• individual vs. sociological scale

• meaning

• sense-making

• characteristics and/or requirements of each

And finally, you need to address the "so what?"  What does all this mean for the study and understanding of mass media and the effects of communication?  I had the feeling that many of you were just stringing together sentences from your  notes or Anderson and Meyer, and you really didn't know what they meant.  

Hope this helps!  

NOTE:  Tutorial 2 REWRITEs are DUE _Wednesday October 1 (Both sections)

Copyright, 2003

Dr. Janet McMullen