Abstract
This paper uses examples from advertisements, TV, newspapers, and/or electronic texts to demonstrate how cultural narratives are received by our society from the media and then become practices that are further supported by the media. The paper examines three different theories about cultural changes, theories that have resulted from society changes and cultural narratives, then relates them to today's society and looks at the influence of the media with regard to these theories.

From the Paper
"Culture is defined as "the results of practicing the art of refinement and civilization" (Chambers). It is the ever-changing culture of Australia that the study of Text and Contexts has recognized. With this change comes an added focus on theories that are common practices in today's society. Cultural narratives are the ways of civilization and its changes. Cultural narratives can be created and developed by many sources, one of which is the media. The media plays an ever-defining role in the construction of our culture, through these cultural narratives. Technological advancements are increasing playing a role in the media's effects on cultural development. Basically, the media defines our culture with or without our knowledge of this. We are constantly bombarded with influences each and every day. Gradually, media's role in society will be nothing more than seen as a tool in shaping who we are, and portray how life should be lived."

Tags:norms, western, civilization, shapes, society, marxism, queer, theory, feminism, post-modernism

Abstract
This paper looks at the images of women that were portrayed in 1950s TV sitcoms and examines to what extent these images give us an insight into popular culture of the time.

From the Paper
"The most stereotypical portrayals of gender are spread through communication media, especially television. Often, trends in television give us insight into the shifting meanings of gender in popular culture. For example, television in the fifties portrayed a wonderful world of perfect homes in a perfect America. In this world the mothers never worked, the families were happy, and problems were always solved within a half hour. Women had a clearly defined, fixed role, says Spigel, "The essential function of women was that of caretaker, mother, and sexual partner. The domestic woman needed to save her energy for housekeeping, childrearing, and an active (monogamous) sex life with her husband"

Tags:feminism, gender, role, sexism, society, stereotypes, TV

Abstract
This paper takes a look at how the media influences the way adolescents view the ideal body image. The author examines the type of stereotypes that the media encourages and the way that this effects society.

From the Paper
"Adolescence is a time for learning and growth. This time can be easier to handle by some than others. For some it can be a revelation of new experiences and ideas, while adolescence can also be a difficult, stressful time for those trying to discover themselves. This can affect themselves as well as those around them. During this time, adolescents are likely to identify with those around them, their peers. Identifying with peers can help adolescents along by giving them the opportunity to see how others deal with problems similar to their own and by offering their own advice to those who need it. Along with this, adolescents are liable to worry about their body image, and may want to conform to those who have achieved the "desired" image. This image may be thin, muscular, or just average. Nevertheless, some adolescents will go too far to achieve this image, usually this is done by adolescent females who wish to become thin. This can be attributed to media's portrayal of women. The majority of women in ads, television and movies are thin and are seen as attractive because of this. Adolescent girls will see these women and may want their image as their own, and some will go to any lengths to acquire this. This in turn could lead to the idea that during this process of change and growing up, adolescents are often concerned about their physical image, which is influenced by the media."

Tags:actress, adolescent, ads, anorexia, athletes, body, bulemia, celebrities, communication, comparison, disorders, eating, friends, gymnast, ideal, idolize, journal, loss, magazine, models, peer, portrayal, pressure, social, theory, tv, weight, women

Abstract
The average American child watches three to four hours of television daily. This paper looks at violence on television and how it subliminally effects children. The author argues that the amount of time children watch TV, regardless of content, should be moderated, because it keeps children from doing more beneficial activities such as reading and playing with friends.

From the Paper
"It's three o?clock in the Smith residence and little Johnny just arrived home from school. He is greeted by his mother, and she asks him how his day was and they talk for a couple minutes, similar to the routine in many households. After they are done talking, Johnny decides that he's going to watch some television. While Johnny's mother is ironing in the other room, little does she know that her son was watching the wild coyote attempting to blow the roadrunner's head off."

Tags:media, society

Abstract
This paper discusses how witchcraft folklore dates from the middle ages all the way up to this present day. It looks at how documented accounts reveal the conversion of the common woman, who was often a doctor, midwife or village consultant, into the persecuted evil spell casting witch, then to our modern popular witch of the 22nd century. It evaluates how, due to the incredible influence television and literary works have on our culture, society has come to view witches as more than the typical haggard and sinister old women with rotten teeth and warty chins. It shows how through review of the films "Practical Magic," "The Wizard of Oz" and "The Craft," the TV emissions "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" and "Charmed" and Shakespeare's famous play "Macbeth," the function of witchcraft has gradually conformed to provide women with a sense of power and prerogative.

From the Paper
"The landmark film, "The Wizard of Oz" often terrifies young children with the presence of the Wicked Witch of the West. She is the traditional representation for all evil witches, and come Halloween, her image is the most costumed by children. Although rarely, we can also see other little trick or treaters dressed up as princesses and more joyful subjects. This counterbalance can be seen with the witch Glinda, the Good Witch of the North, used to offset her evil rival. Therefore, this film exposes the concept of good witch vs. bad witch, where the beautiful angelic one will always counterbalance a dark villainous hag. Good vs. evil comes hand in hand with pretty vs. ugly, which ultimately labels women with stereotypes built upon their appearances."

Tags:charmed, craft, magic, oz, sabrina

Abstract
This paper considers how mass media texts are encoded with many levels of meaning, all of which are consciously constructed, and how these representations of meaning are understood in various ways by audiences. It does so by examining how gender is represented in the context of the protagonist of the show Family Guy and his interactions with those around him.

From the Paper
"The text which I have chosen to discuss is Fox-Tv's series "Family Guy" which aired from April 1999 to about February 2002. It is essentially an animated Sit-Com depicting white middle class American suburbia in contemporary times. The focus of the show is on one man, the "head" of a family, and his interactions with himself, his family, his neighbors, and the world around him."

Tags:decode, encode, family, gender, guy, mass, media, representation, texts

Abstract
This paper looks at the role that the media plays in portraying and delivering news with special reference to the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Towers. The author argues that the way the media depicts news creates a situation in which reality becomes indistinguishable from film making. The media's use of techniques such as slow motion, repetition, development of characters and formation of anticipation in the audience in delivering news, is so similar to the way films are made, that to discern between boundaries of the media and real life becomes impossible.

From the Paper
"The Spectacle of horror, which took place on September 11th 2001, has left daunting unforgettable memories in the minds of all on lookers. The events of that day influenced so many individuals because of the vast reach of the media in our day-to-day lives. What happened on September 11th 2001 leaves many believing that real life has become indistinguishable from the movies. The increase in media control has taken off with in the cultural industry over the last 30 years. Televisions became mainstreamed into the family home in the 1970's with the invention of colour TV. These days more then 11 million Canadians have cable television. The mega trend of corporate capitalism in the post-industrial world has 7.5 million households online. Hollywood and American cinema account for the 2nd largest product surplus in North America. Ironically before the September 11th 2001 tragedies top grossing industry was the Airline Industry. Both the film and airline industries have seen drastic declines in profits since September 11th 2001."

Tags:cultural, industry, media, role, terrorism, war, cinema, movie

Abstract
The paper focuses on the Tet-offensive, a three-staged attack by the Communist forces on many towns and bases that were under American or French control. The paper reveals that it was the first time the Communist forces were able to muster such a large attack without any knowledge by the Allies. The paper also considers the influence of televised news and the coming of age of a new generation of Americans. The paper shows how the Tet-offensive was the most damaging blow to American support of the war at home, and so can be seen as a turning point for the Vietnam War.

From the Paper
"In 1950 when President Harry Truman sent the first initial monetary support to help France's efforts in Vietnam, no one could have guessed the level of American involvement that would follow in the next twenty years. During this time as the numbers of dead and wounded Americans grew, so did the percentage of people that were in opposition to the Vietnam War. This is significant as it represents the first time in American history that the public was not in support of the war, and openly criticized their government's actions."

Tags:Communists, Allies, media, television, news, brutality

Abstract
This paper reviews Joshua Meyerowitz's book, "No Sense of Place: The Impact of Electronic Media on Social Behavior," which argues that electronic media, particularly television, has changed the traditional form of face-to-face interaction, restructured social groups and
hierarchies, and done away with the physical barriers that were once imposed on society. The writer explains how Meyerowitz outlines the effects of television on human rights, racism, politics and politicians, women and children, and the disabled. In conclusion, the writer's agreement with many of the book's ideas is made clear, as well as the importance of realizing the implications of television on society, and the way that it affects everything from our behavior to our interactions.

From the Paper
"Previously, people were segregated into different social groups that were quite distinct and although social groups do still exist, they have now been integrated into a common sphere: Meyerowitz claims that electronic media, particularly television, is the reason for this enormous progression in society and states that "a broad, seemingly chaotic spectrum of social change may be, in part, an orderly and comprehensive adjustment in behavior patterns to match the new
social situations created by the electronic media (p.9). Modern modes of media have impacted our cultures and societies and, television in particular, has had one of the most profound impacts on the constant restructuring of social behavior; these changes are quite obvious since different social identities are no longer as distinct as they once were."

Tags:socialization theoretical speculation production, social order, limitation stereotype information viewer

Abstract
This paper examines the formation and recent development of reality television: the type of television that reflects personal lives and encounters. The author attempts to tackle why reality television exists, the types of reality television that is offered and the future of reality television and society. Included is a review of different television shows that fall under this category.

From the Paper
"In the past few years? society and the entertainment industry has been more and more obsessed with the idea of reality-based television. This desire to find the real amongst society is a reflection on a society, which is based on lies, fraud and war. Television shows such as Real World, Cops, and Hard Copy introduced television viewers to the world of the unscripted and spontaneous. We often put aside these television programs calling them trash TV, or game shows, when really it is society, which has made these shows popular and allowed for the major networks, to demand for our attention in their scheduling. This essay will introduce many different types of reality television and begin to guide us to understanding why it exists and where it is expected to go. Society has been waiting for television to reflect our personal lives and the real world in which we live, and now it does."

Tags:911, abc, big, brother, cbs, cops, copy, crossing, entertainment, fox, hard, island, line, nbc, prostitution, real, rescue, september, survivor, temptation, tonight, world