The document outlines the requirements for Project #1 of COMM 101: Understanding Mass Media. Students are instructed to avoid all contact with mass media (print, recordings, cinema/film, radio, television, internet/video games, mobile) for a 24-hour period. They then report on the media they could not avoid and why, media they avoided but missed, substitute activities, and personal conclusions about the role of mass media in their daily lives. The project aims to increase self-awareness of students' relationships with mass media.

1. COMM 101: UNDERSTANDING MASS MEDIA
PROJECT #1
• Avoid ALL direct and indirect contact with
MASS MEDIA MESSAGES sent/received via the
7 mass media channels for one 24-hour period:
• Print
• Recordings
• Cinema/Film
• Radio
• Television
• Internet/Video Games
• Mobile

2. YOU THEN REPORT ON THESE 4 AREAS:
• (A) The media contacts you could not avoid and why
• (B) Those you avoided but missed having in your life
• (C) Substitute activities you used to fill non-media time
• (D) Personal conclusions about the role of mass media
in your daily life
COMM 101: UNDERSTANDING MASS MEDIA
PROJECT #1

3. • WORK: Stores, Restaurants, Bars, etc.
• SCHOOL: Textbooks, homework, etc.
• TO BE WITH OTHERS: Family time, friend
time, etc.
• GOING THROUGH EVERYDAY LIFE: Gas
pumps, GPS, etc.
• BECAUSE “I’M ADDICTED”
(A) The media contacts you could NOT avoid and why:
COMM 101: UNDERSTANDING MASS MEDIA
PROJECT #1

4. (B) Those you avoided but missed having in your life
• STAYING CONNECTED: Facebook, Instagram,
Twitter, Snapchat, email, etc.
• COMMUTING: Driving/riding without music,
• WORKING OUT: Music as a motivator
• INFORMATION: Immediately knowing something
• DISTRACTION: Media while doing something else
(homework, laundry, chores, etc.
• AVOID BOREDOM: Media while waiting, etc.
• SLEEP AID: Media to go to sleep, help sleep, and
stay asleep
COMM 101: UNDERSTANDING MASS MEDIA
PROJECT #1

5. (C) Substitute activities you used to fill non-media time
• TIME WITH FAMILY, FRIENDS, & PETS (often
outside)
• MAKING MEDIA (ALL KINDS)
• SLEEPING/NAPPING
• WORKING OUT
• CLEANING ROOM/CHORES
• CATCHING UP WITH HOMEWORK
COMM 101: UNDERSTANDING MASS MEDIA
PROJECT #1

6. (D) Personal conclusions:
What did you all discover
about yourselves and your
relationship with mass
media?
COMM 101: UNDERSTANDING MASS MEDIA
PROJECT #1

7. • BOTH USING AND AVOIDING MASS MEDIA ALLOWS
US TO BOND WITH OTHERS
• CONSUMING MASS MEDIA ALSO HELPS US BE
ALONE
• MASS MEDIA IS A MAJOR PART OF OUR SOCIAL,
WORK, AND EDUCATIONAL LIVES – WE NEED IT TO
FULLY PARTICIPATE AND BE PRODUCTIVE
• ANYTHING WE SPEND THIS MUCH TIME WITH
DESERVES OUR COLLECTIVE ATTENTION AND
SCRUTINY
PROJECT #1 OVERVIEW POINTS

8. • MASS MEDIA TECHNOLOGY INEVITABLY IMPACTS
OUR SENSE OF PERSONAL FREEDOM AND
RESPONSIBILITY IN DIFFERENT WAYS; WE EITHER
ACTIVELY CONTROL IT OR FEEL AS THOUGH IT’S
CONTROLLING US…SOMETIMES BOTH AT THE SAME
TIME!
• MEDIA DOES NOTHING TO US BY ITSELF…
PROJECT #1 OVERVIEW POINTS