Paper #2 Assignment—Theories of News
The Assignment
Your assignment is to write a paper to explain (briefly) and present a critical perspective on an important theory of news. Choose among our readings of: Jürgen Habermas, Michael Schudson, Noam Chomsky and Edward Herrmann, Stuart Hall, Benedict Anderson, or Lauren Berlant.
The first part will sound simple enough: to explain implies you will present the theory at hand with your own words using selected quotations and examples from the author. The second part—present a critical perspective—is a bit more complex. This might include: pointing out some problems with the theory, highlighting the implications of the theory, applying the theory to a concrete example of news.
How do you make this your own instead of merely rehashing what the internet says about these theories? I’d suggest you hold up the theory to a news environment that you are familiar. Ask: how well does this theory explain the function of news in this news environment? How can it help us understand the functions of news in this news environment? What are its limitations?
Your goal is to develop an interesting, not obvious, argument.
Some Guidelines
- Length: 3 to 5 pages
- Format & citations: follow the guidelines in the Sample Short Paper. For citations, use Chicago-style footnotes with precise references, following the examples in Mary Lynn Rampolla as explained in the Sample Paper
- Upload paper in pdf format to Moodle assignment
Criteria
- Does it show a strong understanding of the theory of news?
- Does it present an interesting and relevant critical perspective?
- Does it present a strong thesis?
- Does it deliver this thesis with well-chosen examples and strong analysis?
- Is it well organized (with a strong structure and well-organized paragraphs)?
- Is it well written – in clear prose that sounds like you?
- Is it interesting?