Anthropological Perspective to Media Narratives In Module 2 of this course, we have begun to examine worldviews and how anthropologists argue that nation-states and nationalism are one form of ‘imagined community’ (Anderson 2006) in which human groups organize, relate to each other and construct identities about themselves and others.
In this exercise you will apply anthropological insights on nation-states and nationalism to one media narrative (see list below).
For this exercise you must write a 3-4 page essay analyzing one media narrative listed below and its relationship to nationalism from an anthropological perspective. Your goal as an anthropologist is to ascertain what values and beliefs about Canadian or American national culture or identity are being communicated in these media narratives and how. Drawing on newspaper stories, your essay must discuss the messages American or Canadian media convey about 1) what it means to be American or Canadian (nationalism, patriotism, citizenship, membership etc.), 2) what American/Canadian culture and identity look like or should look like and 3) who is included/excluded in these narratives. It is highly recommended that you complete the required readings for the week of November 16 & November 23 prior to beginning this assignment
Choose ONE of the following media narratives:
“Doug Ford and Faith Goldy — what’s wrong with this picture?” (Toronto Star, by Martin Regg Cohen, Monday September 24, 2018)
https://www.thestar.com/politics/political-opinion/2018/09/24/whats-wrong-with-this-picture.html
“Canada’s inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women gets a failing grade” (The Washington Post By Amanda Colleta, May 12, 2018)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2018/05/12/a-new-report-gives-canadas-inquiry-into-missing-and-murdered-indigenous-women-a-failing-grade/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.64efff2cf16c
“Are asylum seekers crossing into Canada illegally? A look at the facts behind the controversy” (The Globe and Mail by Tavia Grant, September 18, 2018)
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-asylum-seekers-in-canada-has-become-a-divisive-and-confusing-issue-a/
“Crucifix represents Christian values but isn’t a religious symbol, Quebec’s incoming premier says” (CBC, October 11, 2018)
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-francois-legault-crucifix-religious-symbols-1.4858757
“The Taylor Swift effect: Nashville sounds off on singer’s political endorsement” “ The Guardian (by Adam Gabbatt, October 12, 2018) https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/oct/12/taylor-swift-democrats-midterm-election-celebrity-political-endorsements
When are they due?
See above. LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE PENALIZED. READ THE “ASSIGNMENTS: GENERAL INFORMATION” DOCUMENT ON THE COURSE WEBSITE FOR A MORE DETAILED EXPLANATION ABOUT LATE PENALTIES.
What should you learn from this assignment?
The point of the exercise is to give you practice in applying anthropological concepts discussed in lectures and readings to ‘real world’ issues and debates found in everyday contexts such as popular media.
This exercise will also help you develop skills in finding and evaluating information for a specific purpose
The mark assigned to this exercise reflects your ability to connect content from the newspaper article to anthropological concepts and arguments about nation-states and nationalism discussed in lectures and readings. The mark also takes into account your ability to get to the point quickly.
