RTA 101 Study Guide - Fall 2018, Comprehensive Midterm Notes - Simulation, Semiotics, Remix Culture
RTA 101
MIDTERM EXAM
STUDY GUIDE
Fall 2018
RTA 101 - Intro to Media Theory Practice
Role of Communication and Media in Culture
Media helps to reiterate and enable the spread and survival of culture. It does this by
reinforcing culture and schemas through repeated interaction.
Culture - In society and on a national level, culture is the beliefs, customs and actions of
a group of people. In a workplace environment, it is a way of thinking, set of behaviours
or work style that exists. These are only two of many types of culture.
Acculturation - The process of amalgamating people into a culture by having them adopt
the mindsets prevalent in the cultures. This often takes place subconsciously on the
parts of both parties. Non-verbal cues such as the clothes we wear, the dialogue we
speak, and our mannerisms indicate the culture we come from.
Digital Space
Prior to the dawn of the digital age, space was the regulation of media. There need to
be proximity to a physical piece of media to gain information. This has been changed by
the accessibility of the internet.
Media can now exist in a physical, digital or hybrid space. Digital space collapses
multiple social contexts, and blurs the line of social etiquette as a result. Because of
digital technology, social boundaries are now more fluid. Digital media alter how we
negotiate and rejuvenate culture.The pitfall of this is that without careful monitoring,
legal regulations can be bypassed easily. Furthermore, a digital life affects a physical
life as well. For instance, aspects of identity can be developed online, and applied to the
real can also apply.
Aspects of Critical Thinking
- Educating oneself
- Observing
- Conceptualizing
- Analyzing
- Synthesizing
- Evaluating
A media mind is a mind that blends critical thinking, creative thinking, storytelling and
media theory to visionary ends.
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Marshal McLuhan
McLuhan is the founding father of media theory. He asserted that media both simulated
and stimulated the senses. He was not a traditional academic and as such, was
frowned upon by many other professionals in the field. He had a focus on new media
frameworks, media as an extension of self, the cycle of perception and media ecologies.
New Media - this form is an extension of the human senses. It helps to form large media
ecologies. These become media public spheres, which features the public as the main
innovators of media. New media showcases a different way of thinking about media
design.
Extensions - Technology is an extension of both us and our senses. Media, through
technology, upsets our sense of perception and life.
Media Perception Cycle - (refer to week 1 notes)
Media Ecologies - this is the idea that we shape the tools and technology we use, and
then they shape us by their implications for culture. This was proposed by McLuhan,
who was a proprietor of media determinism.
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Rta 101 - intro to media theory practice. Media helps to reiterate and enable the spread and survival of culture. It does this by reinforcing culture and schemas through repeated interaction. Culture - in society and on a national level, culture is the beliefs, customs and actions of a group of people. In a workplace environment, it is a way of thinking, set of behaviours or work style that exists. These are only two of many types of culture. Acculturation - the process of amalgamating people into a culture by having them adopt the mindsets prevalent in the cultures. This often takes place subconsciously on the parts of both parties. Non-verbal cues such as the clothes we wear, the dialogue we speak, and our mannerisms indicate the culture we come from. Prior to the dawn of the digital age, space was the regulation of media. There need to be proximity to a physical piece of media to gain information.
