Instructions for students
All students must meet Dr. Lawson at MidTown Station (on the GaTech trolley side) PROMPTLY at 12:30 pm. Please have your tickets purchased BEFORE this time.
We will take the train to Peachtree Center station, then walk to Coca-Cola from there. If you miss meeting us at the station, you can meet us at The World of Coca-Cola, just inside the main doors.
Should you arrive early or late, you need to meet us at Coca-Cola NO LATER THAN 1:20 pm. Our tour begins promptly at 1:30 pm, so you need to be there early.
The tour should last no longer than 2 hours. If you would like to stay in the area for dinner, there are many nice restaurants. Also, the aquarium is nearby and offers discounts on evening tickets (check the aquarium website for details).
A Reminder for Students
Don't forget to bring me a copy of your final presentation on CD. You all did very well in your presentations! :)
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
WEEK 3: ADVERTISING
As you will have seen from our previous field trips, advertising is a key part of the American culture. Everywhere you go, you will find advertising in one form or another. Today we are going to look at examples of broadcast advertising on television, as both commercials and product placement in movies and tv shows.
Television Commercials
(classroom discussion & activity)
In pairs consider the questions below. Can you find examples (using Google and YouTube) that illustrate the main themes? You may find this website helpful in understanding the advertising process.
Discussion question 1:
Product placement is a common thing in American movies. Look at the examples below and answer the discussion questions at the end of this section.
Product placement video from 'Transformers'
10 Most Shameless Product Placement Examples from Movies
For the next video clip, see if you can spot the implied product placement.
Another example from the movies.
The trailer for a movie in which advertising plays a key role.
And an idea of how the future of advertising could look thanks to interactive advertising.
Now consider how the internet is changing advertising.
Television Commercials
(classroom discussion & activity)
In pairs consider the questions below. Can you find examples (using Google and YouTube) that illustrate the main themes? You may find this website helpful in understanding the advertising process.
Discussion question 1:
- When considering television commercials, what themes are prevalent in Amerian society?
- There any recurring images that are used to advertise a variety of products?
- Why do you think these images are used so often?
Product placement is a common thing in American movies. Look at the examples below and answer the discussion questions at the end of this section.
Product placement video from 'Transformers'
10 Most Shameless Product Placement Examples from Movies
For the next video clip, see if you can spot the implied product placement.
Another example from the movies.
The trailer for a movie in which advertising plays a key role.
And an idea of how the future of advertising could look thanks to interactive advertising.
Now consider how the internet is changing advertising.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
WEEK 2: NEWS MEDIA
This week our focus is news media. In class we talked about the news (who decides what is 'news', how Americans get their news, the rise of interactive media and journalistic freedom), as well as discussing the influence of television on American popular culture.
In order to prepare for our field trip to CNN, please read the following short descriptions of research by the Pew Internet and American Life Project (a group that conducts large research projects regarding American life and their use of the Internet).
Understanding the Participatory News Consumer
News Consumption 2010
You should also view the following video...
This video is VERY important for us to consider. Although journalists in the United States have quite a bit of freedom regarding what they write about, the public still is concerned about whether the stories published are 'truthful' or are 'biased'.
Questions and items to consider for the field trip:
1. What is the 'process' used to produce a CNN report?
2. How do they come up with story ideas?
3.Who assigns stories to be researched?
4.Who is in charge of designing how the final story segment will look (how long it will be, what it will say, etc...)?
5. What happens during a 'live' report?
Based on the answers to those questions, do you think that American media is biased? Why or why not?
In order to prepare for our field trip to CNN, please read the following short descriptions of research by the Pew Internet and American Life Project (a group that conducts large research projects regarding American life and their use of the Internet).
Understanding the Participatory News Consumer
News Consumption 2010
You should also view the following video...
This video is VERY important for us to consider. Although journalists in the United States have quite a bit of freedom regarding what they write about, the public still is concerned about whether the stories published are 'truthful' or are 'biased'.
Questions and items to consider for the field trip:
1. What is the 'process' used to produce a CNN report?
2. How do they come up with story ideas?
3.Who assigns stories to be researched?
4.Who is in charge of designing how the final story segment will look (how long it will be, what it will say, etc...)?
5. What happens during a 'live' report?
Based on the answers to those questions, do you think that American media is biased? Why or why not?
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Week 1: BASEBALL
Hi Everyone...
In class yesterday, we discussed the fact that sports are an important part of popular American culture. Sports franchises (teams and organizations) make a lot of money selling tickets and merchandise to sports fans. However, as we discussed, they also pay their players very well -- the average salary for a professional baseball player in 2009 was $3.6 million!
Due to our technical problem yesterday, I was unable to share some videos and information with you. Before going on your field trip to Turner Field tomorrow, please read and watch the following items.
A bit of baseball history...
Women and Baseball
Did you know that during World War II, so many young men were enlisting in the armed services that the summer baseball season almost ended? In order to keep baseball fans filling the stadiums, the "All-American Girls Professional Baseball League' was founded. This was the first time women were considered to be 'professional' sports players. The league was so popular that it continued until the mid-1950s. Click here to read more about the league. Click here to read about the 'rules' the women were required to follow (this is fun to read about!).
The Negro Baseball League
Founded in Texas during 1887, the Negro Baseball League allowed 'men of color' to participate in professional baseball. Although Texas and several other western states had integrated baseball teams (allowing both 'white' and 'black' players), most other teams throughout the United States were segregated. Along the east coast of the United States, black players were not allowed to participate in professional baseball -- until the Negro Baseball League was widely adopted in the 1920s. Click here to read more about the Negro Baseball League and their contributions to modern baseball.
Videos
Baseball is widely shown on television. Here is an example of how baseball is shown on TV. Pay particular attention to the announcer and what they say. Make note of any phrases that you do not understand and we will discuss them in class next week. This video shows a player beating the home run record, for the most home runs hit in a single month.
Now that you've looked at the rules and read a bit of the history, here is a funny look at baseball -- a 1945 cartoon from Walt Disney.
When you go to Turner Field tomorrow, I want you to think about the following questions --
In class yesterday, we discussed the fact that sports are an important part of popular American culture. Sports franchises (teams and organizations) make a lot of money selling tickets and merchandise to sports fans. However, as we discussed, they also pay their players very well -- the average salary for a professional baseball player in 2009 was $3.6 million!
Due to our technical problem yesterday, I was unable to share some videos and information with you. Before going on your field trip to Turner Field tomorrow, please read and watch the following items.
The Simple Rules of Baseball: This website gives a very clear description of how the game is played.
A bit of baseball history...
Women and Baseball
Did you know that during World War II, so many young men were enlisting in the armed services that the summer baseball season almost ended? In order to keep baseball fans filling the stadiums, the "All-American Girls Professional Baseball League' was founded. This was the first time women were considered to be 'professional' sports players. The league was so popular that it continued until the mid-1950s. Click here to read more about the league. Click here to read about the 'rules' the women were required to follow (this is fun to read about!).
The Negro Baseball League
Founded in Texas during 1887, the Negro Baseball League allowed 'men of color' to participate in professional baseball. Although Texas and several other western states had integrated baseball teams (allowing both 'white' and 'black' players), most other teams throughout the United States were segregated. Along the east coast of the United States, black players were not allowed to participate in professional baseball -- until the Negro Baseball League was widely adopted in the 1920s. Click here to read more about the Negro Baseball League and their contributions to modern baseball.
Videos
Baseball is widely shown on television. Here is an example of how baseball is shown on TV. Pay particular attention to the announcer and what they say. Make note of any phrases that you do not understand and we will discuss them in class next week. This video shows a player beating the home run record, for the most home runs hit in a single month.
Now that you've looked at the rules and read a bit of the history, here is a funny look at baseball -- a 1945 cartoon from Walt Disney.
When you go to Turner Field tomorrow, I want you to think about the following questions --
- Consider the size of the stadium. Why is it so big? Does it say anything about the value Americans place upon baseball? What about the value of baseball in Atlanta?
- Consider the advertisements around the field. Are there any? What types of products do they advertise? Why do you think the advertisers chose to promote those products at a sports field?
- Are there any similar sports complexes/stadiums in your home country? What sport is played there? Are advertisements posted at your sports complex? For what kinds of products?
As part of your 'homework' and class grade, each student needs to comment on this blog. Tell me a bit about what you thought of the field trip, the videos, or give your answers to my questions. Choose something about the topic of 'baseball' or your field trip and tell me about that.
Have fun!
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