Here is an interesting article on what media studies is about: you are advised to ask why one would attend a journalism or media studies course.
One commenter says you have to ask is the interest academic, or is it a desire to attend a "trade school" to improve journalism skills and get a certificate in the end.
There is a nice distinction between writing and reporting.
Take a look: http://ow.ly/ky3A
Note that this is a blog, written by??? (1) Tell me who the writer of this blog is.
(2) Give me a 400 word summary of the content (no cutting and pasting of citations from the text).
THEN note that there are comments. That is what blogging is about: not just pasting your stuff on the web and hoping that some unknown somebody will just zoom in and read and applaud. Bloggers usually have specific themes, they put out information and opinions, but it is only really worth the effort if there is going to be some comment - people who find it worth the time to write further and develop insight, ideas, etc.
SO - read these comments, see how this is done. Although some write very long responses, generally, comments should be short messages.
FINALLY go to the blogs I have linked here:
http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2009/08/19/semenya-told-to-take-gender-test/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/tomfordyce/2009/08/semenya_left_stranded_by_storm.html
The bloggers have topicalised an international athletics event with a South African in the centre.
I am sure you know what it is about! If not -hmmm - you haven't been following the news!!
(3) Read it, give me YOUR COMMENT in no more than 60 words! If you have not done blog comment before, I would prefer you to send your comment to me first - then after consideration we can venture into directly posting on the bloggers' sites.
You have to give YOUR OWN comment - so, perhaps you must write your own response before you read all the comments given on the BBC blog. Your comment can refer to what another has written, but may not just be somebody else's that you copy! Write this as soon as possible - you know how quickly news gets dated - by next Thursday this particular news item will not be the same - some issues will already have been resolved, and then the discourse will have shifted!
Due date Thursday 27 August 2009 16h00
Professor, I am having serious problems with posting my comment on the Caster Semenya scenario so I have posted my comment as a blog and here it is as well:
ReplyDeleteCaster Semenya, a person our president has titled HONEST and COMPETENT, has done nothing but make her mark on our country’s winning streak. Even though the results of her gender test will only be available in a month, the questioning and rumours alone have already destroyed and completely dehumanized the career of a young 18 year old who clearly deserves to enjoy HER youth and HER RIGHTFUL achievements.
Sorry for the inconveience.
Caster Semenya represents a whole country. She is a South African. If she is a he South Africa as a country has lost its dignity. Her coach cannot be cruel enough to put her and the country to shame, knowing fully well she is a he. Well, the world is awaiting the gender test results. IAAF should now be watchful. If the poor girl is innocent...
ReplyDeleteHi Prof. Just re-stating what I said in my blog, that my comment on the Semenya blog follows my J-school post, please find it there and let me know if it is appropriate and if it may be posted on the actual site. Thanx!
ReplyDeleteWhy would S.A athletic association allow this humiliation of Caster, if the test was done earlier this embarrassment could have been prohibited. Not only will she be punished by taking her medals, her self-esteem even her identity can be affected. She is still a teenager still going through adolescence, this could haunt her for eternity if not brave enough to handle.
ReplyDeleteI think that the Caster Semenya debacle was handled in a really unnecessary and harsh manner. She ended up winning the race but did she really even have a chance to feel good about it? The press came in like vultures exploiting her business to the public; they could’ve dealt with it in a more tactful and cautious manner; whether she is male or female, she is still a person. What happened to our sense of humanitarianism?
ReplyDeleteOne other interesting thing to note, which came to me as an afterthought, is what will happen in the future competetions IF one runner who "looks" or "appears" exactly like a woman (talk of gender stereotyping) identifies HIMSELF as a man and competes with men! Will HE be gender-tested!!? That's me thinking aloud anyway.
ReplyDelete