Next, we will be honing our critical thinking skills. Critical thinking involves, well, thinking critically about the world around you. Specifically, we will focus on the world of advertising.
First, it is ubiquitous (everywhere). Second, whether we realize it or not, it affects us all. Certainly, we are all targeted by companies who want us to spend our money and time on them. My goal is to teach you to look more closely, critically, at the thousands of ads you see around you.
It's not that advertising is EVIL or that being targeted is necessarily BAD; it's simply important to realize when and how we are being sold to.
That said, your first assignment is to bring me THREE print ads. You can do this the old-fashioned way and look in an actual magazine, or you can print out examples online. I suggest you start with the magazines around your house. It doesn't matter whose magazine it is, just as long as you have permission to tear out some pages. Make a mental note of which ads came from which mags because we'll talk about that in class.
If you'd like to look online, then try one of the following non-profit sites:
Ad Council (search their massive collection)
National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign
Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids
The Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth
Or you can go to your favorite corporate/brand's website and look for "print ads."
First, it is ubiquitous (everywhere). Second, whether we realize it or not, it affects us all. Certainly, we are all targeted by companies who want us to spend our money and time on them. My goal is to teach you to look more closely, critically, at the thousands of ads you see around you.
It's not that advertising is EVIL or that being targeted is necessarily BAD; it's simply important to realize when and how we are being sold to.
That said, your first assignment is to bring me THREE print ads. You can do this the old-fashioned way and look in an actual magazine, or you can print out examples online. I suggest you start with the magazines around your house. It doesn't matter whose magazine it is, just as long as you have permission to tear out some pages. Make a mental note of which ads came from which mags because we'll talk about that in class.
If you'd like to look online, then try one of the following non-profit sites:
Ad Council (search their massive collection)
National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign
Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids
The Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth
Or you can go to your favorite corporate/brand's website and look for "print ads."