Question 1.
Image analysis
Describe and explain which character categories (Pierce’s character triad) you can distinguish in the image you choose to analyze (see image) It must be
clear what denotative and connotative meaning levels / meaning bases are. Also use your knowledge of image composition and its effects. Note rhetorical
grips, metaphor- metonymy formation and myths. Conclude your analysis with a discussion of image ethics.
(Approx. 1-2 A4 pages).
Question 2,
Interpersonal communication
The situation is as follows: You are sitting in a reasonably trendy café and having coffee with one of your closest friends. It is late afternoon, and the venue is
well frequented at the moment. You and your friend are discussing the US presidential election or Christmas as a tradition (you get to choose).
One of you loves Christmas with all that it entails and the other of you thinks Christmas is a commercial and anxious stunt. When it comes to the presidential
election, you get to decide the disagreement…
As I said, you do not agree, and the discussion will be quite hot. However, you do not become enemies, but end up agreeing that you disagree.
Analyze the situation with regard to factors that affect the communication pattern between you and your friend. In other words: state theoretical explanations
that may be important for how communication develops, and in what way these are important. Since this is an imaginary situation, you must of course
fantasize about what these will look like. The point, however, is not to describe the situation as authentically as possible, but instead to try to identify and
describe the circumstances that may be relevant to the interpersonal interaction.
(approx. 1 A-4 page)
Question 3,
Media use:
Åsa, 45, lives in a terraced house on the outskirts of Uddevalla with her husband Henrik and their four children. Åsa has worked in the retail trade throughout
her working life, but has been at home with the children for many years. Åsa is interested in gardening and she also loves to bake. Henrik works in production
at PIMAB Industri and painting center. The eldest son has started studying to be a surveyor at the university west and is about to move away from home. The
second oldest goes to construction and machine high school; the two youngest in primary school.
Start from media statistics and make an ethnographic descriiption of Åsa’s media day (here, of course, you must also use your imagination!). Find theoretical
explanations for her viewing-reading and listening patterns and role as a producer (eg in social media).
Question 4,
Short chronicle:
Write a short chronicle / column – you are very welcome to be a little angry
The chronicle is a shorter type of newspaper text where a columnist presents his own opinions and thoughts on a current topic. Most major newspapers and
magazines publish several chronicles in various subjects, for example in sports, entertainment, film and science. Those who write are often journalists, but
also authors, researchers, celebrities and public debaters write chronicles.
And now also students
Since the chronicle is a subjective text, the purpose is to arouse emotions in the readers, both positive and negative.
Choose one of the following themes (note here it is not so common to specify sources):
The media and the moral panic
Sexist advertising
The information noise
Social media – antisocial media?
The surveillance community.