Persuasion, Propaganda and

Power

Persuasion, Propaganda and

PowerAre you watching Big Brother?Are you watching Big Brother?

Are you Digitally literate?

• Literacy

- Definition

- How literate are you? 1-10

• Digital literacy

- Definition

- How literate are you? 1-10

Digital literacy today

What types of digital media do you use?

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Why is Digital Literacy important?

• Can you survive without it?

• Does it make you smarter/faster/stronger?

• Should we teach it in school?

• Do we need it? Why?

Okay, now what about Media Literacy?

• What’s the difference between digital and media literacy?

• Definition:

★ Media literacy is the ability to analyze, evaluate and create messages in a variety of different media modes and forms.

In other words...

• Digital literacy = ability to use/operate media

• Media literacy = ability to analyze/interpret media

➡ What’s the message?

➡ How is it communicated?

➡ What’s the motive?

What’s the message?

What’s the message?

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Azv4j8-KRI&feature=related

What’s the Motive?

• Motive of McDonald’s and Nike ads?

- sell products

- make a profit

• Power, persuasion or propaganda?

- definitions

Message? Motive?

Is it working?

Message? Motive?

Message? Motive?

Who does the artist of this political

cartoon support?

Messages? Motives?

Miley Cyrus: Party in the U.S.A.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M11SvDtPBhA

Messages? Motives?

Propaganda, persuasion and POWER

• What is the end result of successful persuasion and propaganda in the media?

• Which of the media in this presentation could lead to power?

What’s the difference?

Are you Media Literate?

• Do you know what you’re really looking at when you see images on TV and in magazines, or hear ads and songs on the radio?

• Can you see through to the meanings and motives?

media themes in Orwell’s 1984

• Psychological control

- Propaganda

- Fear (Big Brother)

• Information control

- Restrictions on writing/photography

• Use of technology

- telescreens, microphones

1984’s Historical Context

• Written 1949

• Onset of Cold War

-communism in U.S.

• Totalitarian society (Germany, Soviet Union)

• Negative utopia

1984’s Technological context

• Technology was used to monitor citizens and spread propaganda

• Written in 1949

- no computers, cell phones, etc.

- Only television and radio

1984 in 2009

• What if Orwell were to write about a similar situation today?

• How would the technology be different?

• How would the different technology effect how people are controlled?

• Would it be more or less difficult to monitor people? How?

Today’s technology as used by the Party

Technology

Usage Purpose

Example:

Text messaging

Daily reminder to everyone: “Big Brother is Watching”

Create fear

Make a chart in groups of 2-3.

Share your answers

Technology

Usage Purpose

1. 1. 1.

What’s the connection?

•Messages?•Motives?•Methods?•Persuasion?•Propaganda?•Power?

What about this presentation?

• What are the messages and motives behind this presentation?

• Is this a form of media propaganda?

• Am I trying to brainwash you?

Why is Media literacy important?

• Can you survive without it?

• Does it make you smarter/faster/stronger?

• Should we teach it in school?

• Do we need it? Why?

Rewind: Media vs. Digital literacy

True or false:

The more digitally literate we become, the more important it

is to be media literate.

how media literate are you?

• After viewing this presentation, rate your media literacy from 1-10.

• Will this change the way you watch TV, listen to the radio, read books and magazines, or surf the net?

Assignment

• In teams, create a commercial or noncommercial media message in any format: poster, TV commercial, radio ad (recorded or typed out script), speech, website, etc. Topic must be approved by me.

• Accompany your project with a page explaining your message, goals, motives, and strategic elements.

Watch out for Big Brother

Watch out for Big Brother