Internet and Mass Communication

Instructions:
Answer any four of the following essay questions (Remember to reference relevant readings in your answers, and use of quotations is encouraged. Also, please note that words in quotations are not included in the word count):

1. Gasher et al. identify a number of theoretical approaches to thinking about mass mediated communication and power: (i) libertarian theory, (ii) social responsibility theory, (iii) mass society thesis, and (iv) political economic theory. Choose one theory and write a short description of it, and use this theory to defend an argument as to why or why not the internet should be regulated.
2. Briefly describe mass consumerism and mass democracy, and their significance in the context of public service broadcasting. In what ways did mass consumerism support mass democracy? What kinds of democratic issues were not addressed by mass consumerism?
3. Has the internet changed society? Or does society use the internet to make changes? Defend your answer.
4. Identify a Canadian hegemonic identity (either dominant or subordinate). Explain why you think it is hegemonic. For two bonus points, identify ways that the hegemonic identity you have described is being challenged and changed.
5. Carah and Louw argue for a culture of dialectics, where ideas are understood as limited and their refutation and negation encouraged. (i) Why do the authors encourage this? (ii) What is the alternative? (iii) Identify at least three aspects of Canadian culture that you think reflect a culture of dialectics. Defend your choices.