Media Law

In my recent media law and ethics class, I was able to gain a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies surrounding the creation and dissemination of media content. The course delved into the complex legal and ethical considerations that journalists, filmmakers, and other media practitioners must take into account in order to produce fair and responsible content.

 

One of the key takeaways from the course was the importance of intellectual property in the media industry. I learned about the various forms of intellectual property, including patents, trademarks, and copyrights, and how these protect the creators of original works. This was interesting to me because it highlighted the need for media professionals to be mindful of their own rights as well as those of others when producing content.

 

Another aspect of the course that particularly piqued my interest was the examination of defamation laws, both in Qatar and in the United States. Understanding the intricacies of these laws was crucial in highlighting the need for responsible journalism, and the importance of balancing the right to freedom of speech with the right to privacy and reputation. This also ties in with my growing interest in the blurred lines of privacy, especially when it comes to public figures versus private figures.

 

In conclusion, the media law and ethics class has opened my eyes to the complex and interrelated legal and ethical issues that arise in the creation and dissemination of media content. This knowledge will be invaluable in helping me to produce responsible and fair content as a media professional in the future.

 

Internet and society

 

In my class with Professor Banu Akdenizli, we explored how digital technologies affect society and social transformation on an economic, social, and political level. We evaluated and contrasted the usage patterns and goals of social media and digital platforms across various platforms and cultural contexts.

 

One of the key topics we discussed was the prevalent danger of online security. One of my most memorable discussions in class was the continued breach of privacy by big tech companies through the use of online terms and conditions. We also talked about the idea of the internet as a vast, lawless world where society’s true reflection appears. It is a space where sexism, homophobia, and discrimination are rampant, and it is not something we can deal with as of now because regulators are struggling to understand this world.

 

Another interesting takeaway I had from this class is how the online world bleeds into reality. I wrote my final paper on this very subject, and some examples I listed were the antics of online fandoms during the Tulsa Trump rally that skewed the turnout numbers, leading to some embarrassing headlines for Trump. Another example is how some white supremacist hashtags were drowned out by fandoms in support of the #blacklivesmatter movement.

 

All-in-all the main takeaways I’ve had from this class are about the archaic nature of the internet, the regulation issues, online data privacy issues, and the power of the community in such spaces. The class has helped me to understand the importance of being aware of the ways in which digital technologies are shaping our society, and the need to critically evaluate their impact on our daily lives. The class has also helped me to understand the importance of protecting our personal data and the need for regulations to ensure that tech companies are held accountable for their actions.

 

Understanding media contexts

 

In Professor Kristin Pike’s class on understanding media texts, we explored how broadcast television and other forms of media program their shows in order to entertain their audience. This included studying the use of product placements in popular shows like Modern Family, analyzing the character design in shows like He-man, and examining the impact of imported children’s programming in the global south.

 

One of the key takeaways from this class was the understanding of the impact that these shows have on shaping our views of the world and ourselves. Through the study of product placements, we learned how subtle and overt advertising can shape our consumer choices and values. By analyzing the character design in shows like He-man, we learned how media representation can shape our understanding of gender roles and stereotypes.

 

However, one of the most interesting topics that we delved into was the impact of imported children’s programming on the global south. We learned about how these programs, often created in the global north, can shape the cultural, social, and economic values of the children who watch them in the global south. These programs can introduce new ideas, values, and ways of life to the children watching them, which can have both positive and negative effects.

 

On the one hand, these programs can expose children to new cultures, languages, and ways of thinking, which can broaden their perspectives and make them more globally aware. On the other hand, these programs can also introduce harmful stereotypes and reinforce colonial power dynamics. Additionally, these imported programs can also displace local programming and harm local media industries.

 

Overall, through the study of imported children’s programming in the global south, I learned the importance of critically analyzing media texts and understanding the impact they have on shaping our views of the world and ourselves.

 

Guq

International relations

International relations is a complex and ever-evolving field that encompasses a wide range of issues and perspectives. The course I took on international relations provided a comprehensive overview of the different frameworks used to look at the world of diplomacy and international politics. One of the key takeaways from the course was the recognition of the archaic nature of international politics. Despite advancements in technology, globalization, and communication, international relations continue to be governed by age-old power dynamics and relationships between states.

 

The course also delved into the different frameworks used to understand international relations, including realism, idealism, and structuralism. Realism places emphasis on the role of power, interests, and self-preservation as driving forces behind international politics. Idealism, on the other hand, focuses on the role of moral and ethical values, international cooperation, and the promotion of peace. Structuralism recognizes the role of underlying systems, such as the international system and globalization, in shaping international relations.

 

The relationship between the core and the periphery was another important aspect of the course. This refers to the unequal distribution of power, resources, and influence between developed and developing nations. The course emphasized the importance of addressing these inequalities in order to achieve a more equitable and sustainable international system.

 

In conclusion, the course on international relations provided a valuable learning experience that has expanded my understanding of the complexities and nuances of the international arena. The exposure to different perspectives and frameworks has given me a more nuanced and critical view of international relations and has helped me appreciate the importance of cooperation, dialogue, and diplomacy in resolving global conflicts and promoting peace and stability.

 

International Political Economy

In my International Political Economy course, I engaged with a wide range of topics and perspectives related to the relationship between politics and economics on a global scale. One of the highlights of the class for me was the in-class debates we had on various topics. These debates helped me to better understand the complexities of the world economy and the different opinions and theories that exist.

 

We discussed topics such as globalization and its consequences on the world economy, global inequality, and the role of multinational corporations. In particular, the discussions we had on the concept of global inequality were particularly thought-provoking. Some of my classmates argued that global inequality is an inevitable outcome of globalization while others argued that it could be solved through collective action.

 

The debates helped me to see the different arguments and perspectives in a new light. For example, when discussing the multinational corporation in China during the Covid pandemic and its impact on the global economy, I was able to better understand the different ways in which these corporations can impact the world economy. Some classmates argued that multinational corporations were primarily responsible for exacerbating global inequality, while others saw them as a necessary component of globalization that helped to spread wealth and prosperity around the world.

 

Overall, the debates in class were an important aspect of my learning experience in this course. They allowed me to consider different viewpoints, think critically about complex topics, and communicate my own ideas effectively. I believe that this kind of engagement helped me to gain a deeper understanding of the material and to become a more informed citizen in the world.

 

Theory and politics of Citizenship

In my current ongoing college course on the theory and politics of citizenship, I have been exploring the complex and dynamic nature of citizenship in our modern world. Through the course, I have been exposed to various aspects of citizenship such as the hierarchy of citizenship and the different criteria that can be used to grant citizenship to individuals.

 

One of the key concepts that has stuck with me is the idea of the hierarchy of citizenship, which reminds me of the concept of the core and the periphery in international relations. This idea highlights the unequal distribution of citizenship rights and opportunities among individuals based on their place of birth, race, gender, or socio-economic status. This has been particularly evident in our discussion of the functional criteria for granting citizenship, where we have seen several examples of citizenship being given to footballers in Qatar on the basis of their ability to serve the state’s functional needs.

 

Another issue that we have explored in this class is the problem of statelessness and its serious implications for individuals and society as a whole. Statelessness refers to the condition of individuals who are not recognized as citizens by any state, leaving them without the protection and rights that come with citizenship. This is a major human rights concern that can lead to significant social, economic, and political vulnerabilities. A recent presentation on the Baddons of Kuwait particularly piques my interest.

 

This course overall has been eye-opening and has provided me with a deeper understanding of the politics and theory of citizenship. I am in the process of learning about the many challenges that citizens face in their efforts to secure their rights and the obstacles they face in obtaining citizenship status. Through this course, I have come to appreciate the importance of promoting and protecting citizenship rights and the need to ensure that the right to citizenship is accessible to all individuals, regardless of their background or circumstances.