An analysis of Rosie the Riveter in Communication.

*Editorial cartoon from the The Week*

This editorial cartoon relates to Chapter 6: Communication Research from Survey of Communication Studies, because it demonstrates the idea of the Fantasy Theme Criticism that refers to the “words or phrases that characterize the shared vision of a group.” Through a historical lens, Rosie the Riveter is monumental in representing the shared experiences of women during World War II, especially the slogan “We can do it.” Relating this slogan to communication, it motivates and mobilized (from the Chapter 8: Mass Communication) women during this time to take on professional roles that were traditionally taken on by men prior to the war.

From my own interpretation, I can also connect the figure Rosie the Riveter, and the experiences of women during World War II to narrative criticism, a method in communication research that focuses on “knowledge” through narratives such as historical stories. While I am not a woman, I think finding representation and being a representation for others is important (for both men and woman alike) to pushing yourself past social norms, or in this case, gender norms that might bind you to the expectations of others. As someone from a minority group, I think understanding social biases, seeing representation, and fighting against those norms for empowerment is important.

The role of communication in organizational management.

*Editorial cartoon from The Week*

This editorial cartoon relates to Chapter 11: Organizational Communication from the Survey of Communication Studies, because it shows the difference in communication / management between that of a public school and a charter school. Despite both institutions being organizations, the public school is publicly funded by taxes from citizens, while the charter school is a “for-profit” organization that is built upon funds from families. The top part of the cartoon shows a more human relations approach, highlighting the relationship between the teacher and student; on the other hand, the bottom section emphasizes the role of authorities in profiting from the “gift,” the apple, the student gave the teacher, giving a more dehumanizing atmosphere.

This cartoon relates to me, because I am a student at a public college, which inevitably functions differently than a private collegiate institution. Additionally, the difference between organizational methodology between the functionalities of the public school and charter school can be connected to the equifinality approach that declares a “system that can reach its goals from different paths.” I would like to approach this mindset into my life, as there is not a one-size fit all approach to navigating life. By exploring my interests and incorporating different perspectives that are beneficial into my life, I can accomplish my goals.

Sensationalized news through the mass communication medium of social media.

*Editorial cartoon from The Week*

This editorial cartoon from The Week demonstrates the role of “distortions” in sensationalized news in mass media platforms, such as Facebook or Instagram. Sometimes, news might be prioritized based on how “news-worthy” they are, and not how accurate the information might be. As a result, misinformation might spread, which could influence the viewpoints of different individuals in a society. This transmission of news supports Gerbner’s cultivation theory, which declares media as an institution that “shapes” our societal “values.”

I can relate this editorial cartoon to my own life, because I am wary of news that I see online. To confirm the validity of a news story, I might search multiple news outlets to confirm if similar pieces of information are reported across different platforms. Additionally, I am skeptical of “sensationalized” news titles, as often they are crafted to attract attention without much prioritization of the accuracy of events. Sometimes, misinformation can ruin the lives of many, especially celebrities, in the case of entertainment news.