Readings on Media and Consumer Culture

REQUIRED ASSIGNMENTS This part of Philosophy 17 requires that you view a video. You have three choices: Affluenza There are online notes on Affluenza. You can view Affluenza at West Valley College in the Media Center of the Library. The video is not available online. Episode of Frontline (view online): The Merchants of Cool Episode of Frontline (view online): The Persuaders The following required readings are online: Chomsky and Herman's Propaganda Model "Sex, Lies, and Advertising" by Gloria Steinem Notes on Marxism and Consumer Culture Neuromarketing: Interview with Clotaire Rapaille "In Praise of Consumerism": the author, James B. Twichell, argues that consumer culture is a very good thing.   FOR FURTHER READING/VIEWING For further reading and possible term paper research material: resources on advertising, media manipulation of news, global capitalism, affluenza American Women and the Making of Modern Consumer Culture "Mass media" by Agner Fog Noam Chomsky discusses the question "How Free is the Free Market?" Online and print resources on affluenza A scholarly article in Communications Theory: "How Mass Media Simulate Political Transparency" by J. M. Balkin Douglass Rushkoff (maker of The Persuaders and The Merchants of Cool on Advertising Ruth Shalit's articles The Inner Doughboy and The Mr. Peanut chronicles. These are hilarious and eye-opening accounts of advertisers' attitudes towards imaginary corporate spokes-creatures such as Mr. Peanut, the M&M's, Ronald McDonald, and the Pillsbury Doughboy.       WVC Philosophy Home Page | WVC Home Page Questions or comments about the WVC Philosophy Department? sandy_lafave@wvmccd.cc.ca.us