Thursday, August 24, 2006
synthesis paper

Having COMM 100 as one of my current subjects this semester allows me to learn more about the different practices and techniques in relation to English language and communication.
I think the best topics that I have learned in COMM 100 are the aspect of media that affect, create and reflect culture; and the two theories regarding the mass audiences: the Hypodermic needle theory and Uses and gratification theory.
Media is known to be a very powerful tool of expression since it was ‘created’ and because of this overwhelming aura, it caused many changes in the human culture, locally and internationally. In our past lessons, media’s influences have inevitably corrupted the minds of its users and consumers that resulted to civilization metamorphosis.
For the Hypodermic needle theory, the mass people who are consuming the services of media, known as the mass audiences, are assumed to espouse by media’s influences considering that the audiences are passive and futile in nature. While contrary to Uses and gratification theory, the audiences, being dominant rather than media, have the power in choosing their desired medium to be used in daily purposes, and for how long they would use it. Also in this theory, the mass audiences are capable of expelling media’s unhealthy outcome.
As a novice practitioner of Mass Communication, for the past one year and three months of studying this subject, it has given me a lot of knowledge that I may use with my future profession. It enhanced my strengths in executing English in my daily routine as a student and as a Filipino.
My adventure in the media world is just getting started. If given a chance, I would like to take up film and directing course, preferably in UP. As a movie fanatic, I have a dream of creating my own film that may give a lot of credits to the Philippines from other countries, especially in Hollywood. I also want to take up photo journalism.