Mass Media

In the digital age, mass media dramatically shapes society. From a young age, many American children have access to pop culture and other trends through social media. But even before social media and the internet, mass media impacted American society, influencing social trends and schools of thought. Changes in mass media throughout the decades are worth studying as many of them have had lasting effects on society.

Step 1: Research the History of Mass Media

Research the major developments in the history of mass media in the United States. In your research, identify the different periods where print media, electronic media, and digital media reigned supreme. In your research, find out how each form of media came about and identify two major societal impacts these forms of media had during the time they had the most influence.

Step 2: Create a Timeline

Create a timeline of your research. Your timeline should include:

• The date each type of media was developed (print, electronic, digital)
• The dates that each media development was most popular in the United States
• Six major social impacts of these forms of media on American society

You may make your timeline in word processing software, using graphic design software, on a poster, or using another method of your choice.

Step 3: Analyze Your Research from a Sociological Perspective

Analyze the developments in mass media you identified from a sociological perspective. Answer each of the following questions in one or two sentences using word processing software. You may need to do further research to answer the questions.

1. Explain the differences between the functionalist and conflict perspectives on the developments in mass media in the United States.
2. Examine how contemporary mass media issuesbias, false information, privacy, and/or inequalityare made more prominent by digital media versus other forms of mass media.