Learning Goal: I’m working on a communications question and need the explanation and answer to help me learn.

Directions: Respond to the two of the three essay questions. Everyone should respond to question one. You should then respond to question two or three. The second and third questions require you to integrate material discussed throughout the semester. So, don’t limit your responses to material we have discussed since the midterm examination. Please make sure that your papers contain one-inch margins (to allow me space for comments). Please use 12-point font to be kind to my aging eyes. Please make sure that the ink produced by your printer makes your paper easy to read. The length of your responses should be driven largely by what you see as necessary to respond to the questions in a thorough and comprehensive manner. That being understood you should probably be a little concerned if your responses to each question are under 6-7 pages. You do not need to be too concerned about a maximum limit. If you write it, I will read and evaluate it. You should, however, try to avoid unnecessary length. Strive to make your writing thorough, coherent, and succinct (write parsimoniously). Remember that good writing is good editing. You should submit your final examination to drop box as a Word document. You should submit your final examination as one file (document), not one file per question. You should submit you file with the following name: YourLastName 521 Final Examination (e.g., Waltman 521 Final Examination) Your examination is due December 14 between 4 and 7 (in drop box)

Question 1 (20 pts): We began our discussion of difference, stereotyping, and prejudice by viewing Pleasantville. In a well-written essay, apply the theories and research discussed in this series of lectures to illustrate a more sophisticated understanding of the events in the film. As discussed in class, an understanding of the social and group dynamics evident in Pleasantville begins with an understanding of the challenges posed by difference, like those introduced in Pleasantville. We discussed seven points that describe what is challenging about difference in lecture. How do you see these points illustrated in Pleasantville? Be sure to use specific examples to support your claims. As you explicate these seven points identify three to four theories of blatant and subtle stereotyping and ideologies embodied in the steps. You can discuss more theories if they will help you to improve your response. What conclusions from your analysis can you draw about how difference is manipulated and exploited in your daily life? For example, how does the media exploit social differences? How are these differences exploited in politics? Do you have a personal example to share about how differences are exploited? Your response should be detailed and thorough.

Question 2 (20 points): For this question, you are asked to develop your own theory of human memory, drawing on theories we have discussed throughout the semester. Effective responses will integrate information that we have discussed throughout the semester. For example, you might describe how different ideologies and collective memory might work with our schemas to shape the attributions we make. In addition, effective responses will organize diverse theories into a coherent whole (e.g., describing how different self-schemas may relate to associative network models of person memory and generate self-presentations). Finally, you should make your theory of memory a communication theory. That is, you should illustrate how your theory of memory may explain some form of communication (person-centered communication, self-presentations, conflict management strategies, persuasion, etc.). Effective responses will relate your conceptualization of memory to communication. This is intended to be a very broad question, one that will require you make choices about which concepts you should discuss based on the logical coherence of those concepts (what ideas “fit” or “go together”).

Question 3 (20 points): Define and describe the concept of collective memory. How does a collective memory differ from the understanding of human memory that we developed in the first half of the semester. Collective memory is often studied my rhetoricians and some in the humanities by examining museums and memorials in terms of some feature of their identity they wish to memorialize. The Holocaust Museum, for example, wants visitors to think about themselves in particular ways as they work their way through the museum. Your task is to identify a text that is maintained by a group and examine what they wish to memorialize, or remember, about their group, their group’s identity, or their relationship to other groups. What themes seem to be important to their presentation of the group (collective) memory? How is the memory the group wishes to communicate political or ideological in nature?

Requirements: 12-15 pages