Professor MacDonald is considering taking a job with a major media news outlet. However, his training as a sociologist has him concerned that media is a powerful social force in our society. In order to prepare, he consults a current news story and approaches it from the classical sociological perspectives (functionalism, conflict, and symbolic interactionism). Recall these from Chapter 1.
Your assignment is to find a current story in the news and use your theories to approach it. Please link the story in your post. This can be from any major news outlet, NPR, Associated Press, CNN, Fox News, etc. What would each theory/perspective have to say about how the media in society is viewed or constructed in general as well as specifically applying to your news story? In your answer, define the theoretical perspective as well as show how that perspective would view any or all aspects of the media. Remember to ask yourself your question for each theory–then answer them. You learned your theories in Chapter 1. Please consult them as needed.
