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1) A) Discipline A 1-What is your first discipline (category)? 2-Academically define the discipline. My first concentration in my BIS program is Mass Communication. The study of mass communication is essentially a study of how a message is delivered to the greatest number of people. It is also an examination of mass media outlets, and their history of shaping society.
3-What are at least two sub fields within the discipline? The Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at ASU has a number of sub fields and unique concentrations for Mass Communication majors. Among them are programs is print and online journalism, broadcasting for radio and television as well as public relations. (Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, 2007)
4-Identify one research method used in this discipline to respond to academically relevant questions? In all elements of mass communication, it is important to gauge just how effective a message is. Students in the field of mass communication learn various media research methods including ratings analysis, personality profiles and polling/surveys.
5-What are some key concepts and/or theories in this discipline (name at least two)? As one can imagine, the study of mass communication is multifaceted. However, there are certain topics and key concepts that permeate the discipline and are examined at length throughout the course of study. One of these is the media’s affect on society, be it the promotion of unfair stereotypes or the influence it has on politics and policy making. Because mass communication is such a presence in day to day life, it is important to develop the critical thinking skills needed to understand it. The second example of key concepts in the study of mass communication is the legal and ethical elements one must consider when communicating on a massive scale. Because mass media has such an influence globally, the effects of it can be dangerous if it is not used responsibly. The study of mass communications concerns itself with teaching the importance of these skills by way of legal analysis and problem solving techniques.
6-Identify one major academic journal associated with this discipline? Provide all bibliographic information on it. Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly, published by the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Columbia, South Carolina.
7-Identify one major academic association for this discipline. Provide their web site. Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication; http://cronkite.asu.edu/
B) Discipline B
1-What is your second discipline (category)? 2-Academically define the discipline. My second discipline in the pursuit of my degree in BIS is a concentration in theatre with an emphasis on film. Theatre arts is a highly creative and subjective field, and because of this I have chosen to focus on the emergence of cinema as the dominant form of visual communication. Throughout this course of study I have learned the history and theories of theatre as well as the skills to critically analyze film as not only an art form, but also a global industry as well as a method of defining a society.
3-What are at least two sub fields within the discipline? The Herberger School of Fine Art here at ASU is an all encompassing department dealing with every aspect of the creative process including art, music, dance, theatre and film. In the School of Theatre alone, students can choose to focus on a number of disciplines including history, production, acting, and of course, film studies. (Herberger College of the Arts at ASU, 2007)
4-Identify one research method used in this discipline to respond to academically relevant questions? Research methods involved in film studies primarily deal with an examination of the original source material. Students will oftentimes view a series of films that share a commonality, be it theme, writer/director or performer, in order to develop a better understanding of the subject at hand.
5-What are some key concepts and/or theories in this discipline (name at least two)? Film studies, like the subject of Mass Communication, are constantly evolving with advances in technology as well as changes in the society of which the cinema itself reflects. Students of film studies are able to keep pace with the fluidity of their chosen medium by way of key concepts that define a film and give it its own “signature”. Although there are many elements that can give a film its signature, most are split into two categories; the theory of a film and its structure. The most notable theory in film is the idea of an auteur; one whose complete involvement in the production defines the film. The structure of film is simply the tangible elements that provide a structure for the story to be told on celluloid. This can include anything from shot composition and set dressing to genre and ideology.
6-Identify one major academic journal associated with this discipline? Provide all bibliographic information on it. Film Quarterly, published by University of California press; Berkley, CA
7-Identify one major academic association for this discipline. Provide their web site. The Katherine K. Herberger College of the Arts at Arizona State University; http://herbergercollege.asu.edu/
C) Next, discuss why you chose to combine these two areas. (Please go beyond ‘my advisor told me to’, or ‘it is the fastest way to graduate’). For me, the BIS program is a blessing. After deliberating for a year on what my degree should be, and finally deciding on a path of journalism and mass communication, I was disheartened when I saw the limited scope of the program as well as the very rigid path I would have to follow in my career post graduation. I have always been fascinated by the media, particularly the amount of control it has over one’s day to day life, and was interested to understand every aspect of it. However, as I progressed through the prescribed course of study, I found myself drifting away from the theories, history and current inceptions of mass media, instead practicing the more hands on, vocational skills of how to use broadcasting equipment. With IDS, I am able to incorporate my passions into a program that affords me a large body of knowledge and will allow me to create my own career path.
1-What are the areas of commonalties in these disciplines, thus the Interdisciplinary amalgamation of your new academic major? Quite simply, film is a form of mass communication, and arguably the most influential one. By studying both disciplines, I am able to gain an understanding of the symbiotic relationship that they both share.
2-What do you hope to accomplish through the interdisciplinary integration of the two? As I work to incorporate these two disciplines, I hope to become more aware of the messages the media foists on society everyday; the reasons for them and their overall effectiveness. Understanding this will allow me to become a better communicator in my personal life as well as my profession as an advertising and marketing consultant.
3-How do they create a better and broader knowledge and understanding? As I mentioned before, film is currently the most pervasive form of mass communication. However, understanding the history of mass communication and the mediums of which that predate film give me a broader knowledge than just will allow me to anticipate further developments in the disciplines as well as new forms of media.
4-How does the interdisciplinary approach give you the skills (transferable or otherwise) to be successful in your future plans?
2). Exercise: BIS 401: http://universitycollege.asu.edu/sis/bis/courses/401.php Proceed to the above website and review the BIS 401 course application ‘guidelines’. Read them carefully and answer the following questions in your own words, as you understand them.
BIS 401 is comprised of an online course and an off campus applied learning experience. B- What is the purpose of the BIS 401 course? “BIS 401 is an online course whose main focus is to enhance the understanding between the student's chosen concentrations and real world experience.” (University College at ASU, 2007)
Applied study or directed study. There are five pieces to the online application packet. They include: the application form, the student responsibility contract, a proposal, an applied study contract plus an affiliation agreement, and a cover letter. (University College at ASU, 2007)
E- What information must the cover letter include in order to be considered official and acceptable? Why would ASU require such a letter from the organization? The ASU BIS website states that the cover letter of the application packet must include: The student’s mentor's name, address, and contact information, student’s name, the precise semester of the applied studies experience, a statement of understanding by the mentor that the student must complete at least 125 hours with their organization, an additional statement that the prescribed least125 hours assignment is not part of a regular position that the student already holds at the organization, and the original signature of the individual who is listed as your mentor in your application. This individual should also be the one to sign the affiliation agreement. (University College at ASU, 2007) ASU requires this information as part of a checks and balances system to ensurethat students are receiving an education that matches their IDS goals, as well as to protect students from exploitative working conditions.
Now that you have a better understanding of your major and the BIS 401 course (to be taken after you have successfully completed BIS 301 and 302), deliberate on an organization that you feel (or hope) could provide you with the best experience for the BIS 401 course.
A- What would you be doing at the site? Thinking about my interests combined with the skills I have developed in pursuit of my BIS degree, the natural fit for my BIS 401 course would be Allied Advertising, based here in Phoenix. Allied is “a full service advertising agency and public relations firm specializing in local market advertising, publicity and promotions for the entertainment industry.” (Allied Advertising, 2007) In this environment, I would have the opportunity to assist with the coordination of national marketing efforts with local media outlets in the promotion of upcoming films. Researching this further, my duties at Allied would include developing timelines for junkets and screenings, maintaining client relationships and leveraging these to create word of mouth publicity.
B- How would your specific job responsibilities reflect concepts and theories that you have learned in each of your areas of concentration? The mission of promotion and publicity is to expose your message to the greatest amount of people in the most efficient and compelling way possible. Additionally, in any type of communication it is important to know your audience and your subject. My studies in film coupled with my familiarity of mass communication and the operation of multiple media outlets will help me in my work at Allied Advertising.
C- How would you be applying these concepts and theories in a meaningful manner? As I said, this organization would seem to be a perfect fit as it involves both areas of my studies. From my background in mass communication, I will have the ability to understand and utilize the media in the most effective way possible to promote a film. Additionally, the base of knowledge I will have from my concentration in film will give me the ability to speak about the movie in a well informed manner and will ensure synergy between the film and the partners I choose to promote it. D- Give two (2) examples of how you will apply concepts you have learned from each of your concentrations in your specific job duties; (if you are in Organizational Studies, pls. use two (2) category areas within). As alluded to in the above, I would draw on my IDS studies daily to accomplish my duties at Allied Advertising. From my background in mass communication I would be able to place advertising in a variety of media outlets to ensure visibility and recognition of my product. Furthermore, I would use my knowledge of film in conversations with movie executives and personalities during press junkets. E- How would this new experience provide you with the skills for your future plans or goals? Ultimately, I would like to take a job much like this one after graduating from the University. To be able to gain this kind of valuable experience while still a student could virtually ‘pave the way’ for a future career within this organization. F- Conclude this exercise by connecting your academic present to your professional future. As a college senior with a passion for media and film studies, I will finish my degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, focusing on the subjects of Mass Communication and Film. Upon graduation, I hope to use my degree and work experience from multiple media outlets to find a job with an advertising agency that focuses on entertainment clients. It is my goal to work my way up the ranks of an agency and use my connections to eventually gain a position within the studio system.
Allied Advertising (2007). Home. Retrieved March 29, 2007, from http://alliedadvpub.com/ Herberger College of the Arts at ASU (2007). Degrees. Retrieved March 20, 2007, from http://herberger.asu.edu/college/academics.html University College at ASU (2007). BIS 401 Applied Interdisciplinary Studies . Retrieved March 20, 2007, from http://universitycollege.asu.edu/sis/bis/courses/401.php Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication (2007). Undergraduate Programs. Retrieved March 20, 2007, from http://cronkite.asu.edu/undergrad/index.html
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Plan of Study Bob Beard Arizona State University BIS 301 Dr. Lattouf March 20, 2007 |