Student Learning Outcomes
How prepared am I to be a responsible/informed consumer and skilled producer of
communication processes and mass media messages in the 21st century?
Throughout my communication studies at Worcester State University, I have learned the various messages that the media send to their audiences, as well as the ethical approaches on how one should produce media content. Media criticism and gender and the media are two classes that have had a significant impact on my understanding of communication process and mass media messages, and they both have helped me understand what it means to take in those messages and how it impacts the intended audience. Both classes focus on the dynamics of how messages (i.e., gender, masculinity, sexuality) can have an impact on how individuals think of themselves, as well as how they feel about a particular gender or group of people. I have done vast research across both classes on how stereotypical messages play a role on consumers of mass media, and how the producers should change their opinions and views to make their content unbiased and fair for all audiences. My experiences through my studies have prepared me in this subject field by providing me with a greater understanding on how to consume media messages, and how to produce accurate and correct representations that go along with today’s media content (i.e., women as smart, intellectual human beings).
What skills have I learned about processing, editing, presenting and evaluating information?
Two of the profound skills I have developed regarding processing, editing, presenting and evaluating media content are analyzing and researching the ways messages can impact the target audience. I wrote several reading response essays through media criticism and gender and the media that look closely at how any stereotypical message (i.e., women as sex objects) can change one’s perception of a particular individual or group of people. I also wrote two research papers on this subject, by looking closely at how messages and information go from producer to consumer through a form of popular culture. In one of those papers, I discussed the various ways the writers and producers of The Simpsons portray race, gender, ethnicity, politics and many other stereotypical messages. This paper ended up getting published on the Global Critical Media Literacy Project’s website, so media scholars and analysts, as well as the general public, can see the presentation of these messages and how they could impact the show’s viewers.
How prepared am I to effectively gauge the effects of communication and mass media?
My communication classes have done an outstanding job for helping me prepare to gauge the effects and impacts of mass media on the public when I work in the field someday. The stereotypes that the media gave us 50 years ago are different than the ones we have today. We need to understand how the narratives of various representations, such as gender and sexuality change. For instance, a TV show could take a new twist on a particular representation, or a celebrity could act or dress in a way that could wind up becoming synonymous with that gender (i.e., clothing, mannerisms). If I can make sure that I stay up to speed on how media producers and writers develop their content on various narratives and stereotypes, I will better understand how the messages that audiences will receive, and if there will be any changes to make them less critical or biased.
How can I become a responsible/ethical media producer?
For me to be a responsible and ethical producer, I must not have any bias toward any individual or group of individuals and report on nothing but the truth. I am looking to go into a writing-based field (sportswriting), so it will be crucial for me not to use stereotypical narratives and have respect for everyone I cover. Along those lines, I must also establish credible ethos with my audience to show them I am not fabricating any specific information. Everyone knows how easy it is to make up false information or claims against particular individuals, so for the work I produce, I will make sure to obtain all information from credible and trusted sources. That way, I will have information on which to back up myself, so my audience knows that they can trust me in any capacity.
How prepared am I for careers in the industries of communication and mass media?
I feel that the stellar education I have received from the communication courses I have taken has prepared me for a career in the field. Nearly all of the communication classes I have taken have helped me gain writing, analytical and critical thinking skills. Other courses, such as media criticism have helped me gain insight into the ethical and truth-telling components of working in a communication field, as well as how to format your content for a specific target audience. I have had several people, including my family and professors, commend me for excellent writing and analytical skills, as well as have multiple works published throughout my Worcester State career. Along with my Simpsons paper, I had a profile that I wrote about Friendly House, a Worcester organization that supports immigrants, published in The New Worcester Spy. I am proud of the work I accomplished so far in my Worcester State studies, and I hope to close out my undergraduate program on a positive note. The more confidence I give myself, and as long as I adhere to the guidelines and ethics for working in the communication business, I feel I am prepared for the next challenge life throws at me once I graduate from Worcester State.