Download Unrecognized Influence: Propaganda Through

Unrecognized Influence:
Propaganda Through Cartoons
Tommy Tobin ©
Splash – Fall 2009
Goals
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Gain new appreciation for children’s media,
about its careful crafting and implementation for
the utmost impact upon innocent children.
Close parallel between political socialization
through propaganda and children’s media.
Cause its participants to take another look at
their childhood and make them give pause and
reflect upon making a future decision, especially
regarding media choices.
OUTLINE
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Module 1: Overview
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Module 2: Cartoons to See
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Seeing Violence & Race in Stereo(types)
Module 3: Cartoons to Sell
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Cartoons Are Crafty, but Marketers are Smarter
Selling Products through Targeting the Impressionable
Module 4: Cartoons to Do
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Influencing the Moral Fiber of the Next Generation
Overview
Cartoons Are Crafty, But Marketers are Smarter
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Welcome!
Why Cartoons? (A.K.A Why are we here?)
What is Socialization?
What are the Applications of this Socialization?
Watch Thundercats
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Safari Joe Episode
Handout: Synopsis & Moral of Story
Cartoons to See
Seeing Violence & Race in Stereo(types)
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RECAP: Socialization is the process by which
we learn to make sense of the world.
Handout: Bandura’s Bobo Doll Experiment &
Looney Tunes & Racial Stereotypes & Broadcast
museum on Cartoons
Cartoon Influence
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Behavior: Debate about how individuals model
behaviors they see (Video Games, Violent TV)
Mindset: Portrayal in media (e.g. cartoons) help in the
construction and maintenance of cultural stereotypes
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Dick Tracy & Itchy & Scratchy
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Censored_Eleven
Cartoons to Sell
Selling Products by Targeting the Impressionable
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Seeing how media can help construct our
feelings on the world, we must ask why would
marketers do this. ANSWER: $$$
Handout: USA Today article on Transformers &
Introducing Media Studies excerpt
Think of some cartoons as geared to selling their
toys, where a great deal of money can be made.
Watch Transformers
Cartoons to Do
Influencing the Moral Fiber of the Next Generation
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Being that media can influence our thinking, does it
influence our actions & political beliefs?
Handout: Captain Planet Foundation & Political
Socialization
Watch Captain Planet
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TED TURNER
$$$ for whom?
Notice portrayal of good/bad guys & International personnel
Suggested Readings
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Herman & Chomsky Manufacturing Consent
Chomsky Media Control
Walter Lippmann & his role in WWI
Bandura Bobo Doll Experiment
USA Today’s Article on “Transformers” the Movie
Fast Food Nation
Nancy Snow’s Information War & Propaganda, Inc.
Introducing Media Studies
The Psychological Journal, Media Psychology