ALLAMA IQBAL OPEN UNIVERSITY, ISLAMABAD

(Department of Mass Communication)

Course: Influences of Mass Media Contents (6635) Semester: Spring, 2018

Level: M.Phil Units: 1-9

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Assignments 1 and 2 cover units 1-4 and 5-9 respectively.

2. Each assignment carries 100 marks.
3. Write the assignments in your own words.

LIST OF CONTENTS

This package comprises the following material:

1. Study Guide
2. Assignment 1 and 2
3. Assignment Form 2 sets
4. Schedule for submitting the assignments and attending tutorial meetings.

Note: If you find anything missing from the above mentioned material, kindly inform:

The Mailing Officer,

Mailing Section,
Allama Iqbal Open University,
Sector H-8, Islamabad
Phone: 051-9057611-12

Best of Luck
Dr. Saqib Riaz
Course Coordinator

1
 ALLAMA IQBAL OPEN UNIVERSITY, ISLAMABAD
(Department of Mass Communication)
WARNING
1. PLAGIARISM OR HIRING OF GHOST WRITER(S) FOR SOLVING
THE ASSIGNMENT(S) WILL DEBAR THE STUDENT FROM AWARD
OF DEGREE/CERTIFICATE, IF FOUND AT ANY STAGE.
2. SUBMITTING ASSIGNMENT(S) BORROWED OR STOLEN FROM
OTHER(S) AS ONE’S OWN WILL BE PENALIZED AS DEFINED IN
“AIOU PLAGIARISM POLICY”.
Course: Influences of Mass Media Contents (6635) Semester: Spring, 2018
Level: M.Phil Total Marks: 100

ASSIGNMENT No.1
(Units: 1-4)

Q. 1 What is meant by traditional focus of research in Mass Communication? What

reason do Shoemaker and Reese give for such a research focus? Discuss in your
own words. (25)

Q. 2 Define Media Sociology. Summarize major theoretical perspective used in

studying media content and discuss conceptual and methodological tools used by
researchers in studying media content. (25)

Q. 3 What patterns of content portrayal have been identified by research in various

studies of media content and what conclusion, do you think, the researcher have
derived from their pattern of media content? (25)

Q. 4 Individual media workers and media routines ‘factor may have an impact on
media content. Discuss these influences with examples from Pakistani setting.
(25)

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 ASSIGNMENT No.2
(Units: 5-9)
Total Marks: 100

Q. 1 A variety of extra-organizational factors have been identified that influence the

media in the United Sates. Summarize the evidence produced to document the
influence of various extra-organizational factors that influence the media content.
To what extent, in your view, each of these factors might explain influences on
media content in Pakistan. (25)

Q. 2 Chapter 9 in the book deals with the influence of ideology and media content.
a) How do Shoemaker and Reese define ideology and what roles do they give to
ideology relative to other influences on media content?
b) Do you see any ideological influence on media content in Pakistan? What role,
in your view, ideology plays in determining content of media in Pakistan? (25)

Q. 3 Write an essay on the importance of research on media content paying particular

attention to how integrating the content and effects studies might improve our
understanding of the role of mass media in society. (25)

Q. 4 Critically evaluate propositions and hypotheses about influences on media

content as set out by Shoemaker and Reese. To what extent, in your opinion,
these explain media content in Pakistani media? Please give reason to support
your opinion. (25)