Critical Analysis of Information Overload and Representation without Understanding in News and Journ

Task

Task:

For this assignment you will write an essay that critically analyses one topic of your choice from the following list:

1. Andrejevic argues that the problem of “too much information” leads to information that Jodi Dean describes as being “representation without understanding”. Discuss the role these concepts play when considering information overload for news and journalism on a social media platform of your choice.

2. Glavin, Bierman, & Schieman pose the question: “Which narrative — decentralized and isolated or connected and empowered — best reflects the reality of Canada’s gig workers?” Discuss these competing narratives and make an argument for which you believe is more likely while discussing an appropriate app of your choice.

3. Eric Raymond argued in 1998 that “The ‘severe effort of many converging wills’ is precisely what a project like Linux requires - and the ‘principle of command’ is effectively impossible to apply among volunteers in the anarchist's paradise we call the Internet”. Discuss this argument in relation to how well it applies to an example of open-source that you regularly use.

Your analysis should incorporate a small number of examples of advertising media that you have selected to illustrate your points. These examples should be discussed fully in a way that demonstrates your own critical perspective, and without lengthy description. You must refer to the appropriate readings available on C4 and also find additional academic resources from public libraries and academic databases to provide evidence for your discussion and support your arguments. You may also incorporate readings and concepts from other weeks if you wish. All resources that you refer to must be properly cited in the text of your essay and also be listed in a bibliography at the end of your essay.

Knowledge and understanding

Your essay should include a detailed discussion of concepts relevant to this course that demonstrates to the reader your knowledge and understanding of the assigned material. You must also include additional academic materials in your essay that closely related to your topic, drawing primarily from academic work in the field of media and communications.

Analysis and discussion

Your discussion should include your own analysis of academic theories and concepts and how they are applied to your topic, and closely relate these to a small number of well-identified examples. You should avoid being descriptive and focus your discussion on the meanings and implications of these concepts in light of your topic. You should also direct your discussion towards an argument that makes a clear conclusion about your topic.

Academic skills

Assignments should be written using clear language and carefully proofread. All references, quotations, and paraphrased passages must be properly cited and appear in your bibliography. You may use any appropriate citation format as long as it is clear and consistent.

You may submit your assignment in any common text format (PDF, word, pages, OpenDoc format, etc). Your submission must also include your name and ID number on the first page. If you do not submit your assignment by the deadline it will be considered late. If you require an extension for any significant reason then you must email me in advance.