Media Studies Chapter 4, 4th period

Some questions should be answered by all students, some by members of a particular group, or groups. Note, however, that in class you will be in different groups, as before. (If necessary, I will give people time to meet as A, B, C and D briefly in order to cover any difficult points...)

Answer in English. You do not have to write whole sentences, but use your own words. Do NOT just copy from the text.

1. Before you read this chapter, a) write down the main similarities and differences between media companies and car-manufacturing companies; b) list the main Japanese media companies; and c) list any non-Japanese media companies that you know of. ALL

2. Explain the meaning of the following:

a) commodity (p.48) ALL

b) shareholder (p.49) ALL

c) alternative media organisation (p.51) A

d) short circuit a process (p.53) B

e) norm (p.54) ALL

f) under-represented minorities (p.55) C

g) small/large circulation (pp.57, 60) ALL

h) niche market (p.58) D

i) censorship (p.63) ALL

3. Summarise pp. 50-51. ALL

4. What values and conventions are found at Keio? ALL

5. Summarise the section on 'Taking risks'. ALL

6. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the market segmentation described on pp. 57-58? Do you think that segmentation of the media market is a positive or a negative development? A, C

7. On pp.60-61, Peter Wall describes how TV companies in the UK schedule evening programmes, and why. B, D

a) What similarities are there with the situation in Japan?

b) What differences are there with the situation in Japan?

8. List the main arguments for and against having laws to control the media. Make clear which are ideas from the book and which are your own. ALL

9. Do you want to make any changes to 1a) after reading the chapter? If so, what are they? ALL

(We will do more work on the main media companies in Japan and elsewhere in a later class.)