reading response 3 list of episodes done in class Here are the episodes you are responsible for viewing in module 3 if you miss class: #1 – Simpsons, Joy of Sect, season 9, episode 14 #2 – Simpsons,

reading response 3 list of episodes done in class Here are the episodes you are responsible for viewing in module 3 if you miss class: #1 – Simpsons, Joy of Sect, season 9, episode 14 #2 – Simpsons,
Please do not copy from this. This is provided as an example to show the pattern and what you need to have in the your writing EXAMPLE Question As we have discussed in lecture, the format for each reading response is essentially the same but your content and analysis will differ depending on the specific media focus. For example, for the second reading response, you want to focus on internet use within religious communities. We have addressed several key issues/questions in class but here are some things to consider in your response: Do the ‘benefits’ of internet use seem to outweigh the ‘risks’ for particular religious communities? Why do some religious communities seem to have more concerns with internet usage than others?  How does the lack of regulation on the internet potentially affect religious communities?  Do NRMs seem to use internet differently than established religious traditions?  How is the internet used as a tool of recruitment? Is it more/less/the same in terms of effectiveness in your opinion (using evidence from your readings)?  Can virtual space replicate a physical sacred space?  Discussion 1. Chiluwa notes that while there is no reliable data on the number of internet churches in Nigeria, they are likely growing in popularity due to the country’s large population of internet users and the ease with which one can set up an online church. He contends that the internet church offers a platform for religious expression unrestricted by conventional organizations and that Nigerians frequently find the cyber miracles performed by these churches more credible than those accomplished by more established religions (Chiluwa, 2012). Ultimately, Chiluwa concludes that the internet church is a sign of the changing nature of religion in Nigeria and that it is likely to have a significant impact on the country’s religious landscape in the future. Some religious communities may see the internet as a tool for spreading their message and connecting with others, while others may view it as a tool that can be used for evil purposes. Ultimately, it is up to each individual religious community to decide whether the benefits of internet use outweigh the risks. The internet has had a profound impact on many aspects of life, including religion. In Nigeria, the internet church is a relatively new phenomenon that is growing in popularity due to the large number of internet users in the country and the ease with which one can set up an online church. The internet church offers a platform for religious expression unrestricted by conventional organizations, and Nigerians frequently find these churches’ cyber miracles more credible than those of more traditional religions. Ultimately, the internet church is a sign of the changing nature of religion in Nigeria and is likely to have a significant impact on the country’s religious landscape in the future. 2. Chiluwa illustrates that in Nigeria, some church services are online. Therefore, the sacred buildings associated with worship are not held in high regard as others. Some religious communities may be more concerned with internet usage because they believe that it can lead to sinful behavior, while others may be more concerned with internet usage because they believe that it can be a distraction from religious duties. Therefore, the internet is not a priority. Ultimately, each religious community has its own reasons for why it may be more or less concerned with internet usage. Therefore, some institutions see the platforms as a distraction while others see them as an opportunity to grow members. The internet has had a profound effect on many aspects of life, including religion. In Nigeria, some religious communities have embraced the internet and use it for religious purposes, while others have been more hesitant. One of the key ways in which the internet has impacted religion is in the way that services are now delivered. In the past, religious services were primarily conducted in person, in physical locations such as churches, temples, or mosques. However, with the advent of the internet, many religious communities now offer services online. This has led to a change in the way that some people view religious institutions. For some, the physical buildings associated with worship are not seen as being as important as they once were. Instead, the focus is on the online space where services are now delivered. This change has not been without controversy. Some religious leaders have voiced concerns that the internet can be a distraction from religious duties, and that it can lead to sinful behavior. Others, however, see the internet as an opportunity to reach more people with the message of their religion. Ultimately, each religious community has its own reasons for why it may be more or less concerned with internet usage. The internet has also impacted the way that people interact with religion. In the past, people would typically only interact with their own religious community. However, the internet has made it possible for people to connect with others from different religious backgrounds. This has led to a greater understanding of different religions, and has also made it easier for people to find a community that they can connect with on a deeper level. 3. The internet is a largely unregulated space, which can be both good and bad for religious communities. On the one hand, it allows religious groups to connect and share information more easily than ever before. On the other hand, it also makes it easy for false information to spread, and for people to be exposed to ideologies and perspectives that they may not agree with (Kluver and Cheong, 2007). This can lead to religious communities becoming more isolated and polarized, as people only seek out information that reinforces their own beliefs. The internet can be a good tool for religious communities to connect and share information. However, it can also make it easy for false information to spread, and for people to be exposed to ideologies and perspectives that they may not agree with. This can lead to religious communities becoming more isolated and polarized, as people only seek out information that reinforces their own beliefs. 4. Kluver and Cheong (2007) have illustrated that there are ways in which NRMs might use the internet differently than established religious traditions, including using the internet for recruitment, using the internet for social networking and outreach, and using the internet for providing information about their beliefs and practices. The study by Kluver and Cheong highlights the need for religious organizations to adapt their strategies in order to remain relevant in a rapidly changing technological landscape. In particular, they suggest that religious leaders need to be more proactive in using the Internet to reach out to potential followers 5. Dawson and Hennebry (1999) demonstrate that; The internet has played a significant role in the growth of new religious movements. These movements have used the internet as a tool for recruitment, proselytization, and building community. The internet provides new religious movements with a unique space to reach potential recruits. It offers a wide reach, anonymity, and low cost. These factors make the internet an ideal space for new religious movements to proselytize. The internet has also allowed new religious movements to build tight-knit online communities. These communities provide support and connection for members. They also act as a space for members to share information and proselytize. The internet has had a significant impact on the growth of new religious movements. It has provided these movements with a unique space to reach potential recruits and build tight-knit online communities. Additionally, if an organization does not have a strong online presence, potential church members will not be aware of their presence. In general, the internet is a powerful tool for recruitment if used correctly. However, it is important to consider all aspects of online recruitment, from advertising to online presence, to ensure that it is as effective as possible. 6. Kluver and Cheong (2007) found that there is a positive relationship between technological modernization and the use of the internet for religious purposes. However, the study also finds that the use of the internet for religious purposes is not associated with religious beliefs or practices. Therefore, sacred places of worship are not specific; rather the experience of worship (Chiluwa, 2012). Other people may feel that sacred space must be a specific physical location, such as a church or temple, and in this case, it may be more difficult to replicate the feeling of sacredness in a virtual space. Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide whether or not virtual space can replicate a sacred physical space for them. TOTAL 75% Comment This is a really terrific summary of the module content! There are just a few items to consider here. First, you want to use proper in-text citations in all paragraphs (some have none so I’m not always clear where you are taking that information from). Second, you need to bring in at least one additional source, not just rely solely on the course readings. This is where the quick research comes into play – additional publications should help you craft your own analysis, which needs to be further developed. You want to use specific examples to support some of the points of discussion. For example, you state that physical buildings are less important now because of internet but what are you basing that on? And which religious institutions seem to support atet argument? You also note the different reasons religious communities might be wary of internet use but why? What are some of these reasons and why are they different? Third, you have a numbering system for your paragraphs but whY? I don’t quite understand the formatting there. Lastly, you raise the important point of experience on page 5 in relation to place. But place is often very significance (ie. the example we discussed in class was Mecca and the importance of place relating to pilgrimage in Islamic tradition) so you want to expand on that point a bit further.  Grade; B References Campbell, H. (2014). Religion and the Internet in the Israeli Orthodox context. In New Media, Politics and Society in Israel (pp. 58-77). Routledge. Chiluwa, I. (2012). Online religion in Nigeria: The internet church and cyber miracles. Journal of Asian and African Studies, 47(6), 734-749. Dawson, L. L., & Hennebry, J. (1999). New religions and the Internet: Recruiting in a new public space. Journal of contemporary religion, 14(1), 17-39. Kluver, R., & Cheong, P. H. (2007). Technological modernization, the Internet, and religion in Singapore. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 12(3), 1122-1142.
reading response 3 list of episodes done in class Here are the episodes you are responsible for viewing in module 3 if you miss class: #1 – Simpsons, Joy of Sect, season 9, episode 14 #2 – Simpsons,
Module 3 Reading response Each reading reflection should be a minimum of 4 pages (double-spaced) and should include the following components: a brief recap of the main points of that particular module, personal critical reflections and analysis, and the use of at least two other scholarly sources (NOT from the class readings). The minimum length of 4 pages does NOT include a title page or bibliography (which should be separate pages). The recap may include a brief summary of the module as a whole OR it may focus on one specific topical unit (i.e. the specific lecture/reading on televangelism). Additionally, the summary should be relatively short and concise as the critical reflections are the most important component of this assignment. Students may wish to address the following questions: How do specific forms of media (articles, internet sites, TV shows, movies, or music) portray specific religion traditions? Are these portrayals accurate or do they reflect common stereotypes? How do religious traditions employ different forms of media? Is there a political component to these representations? Format: Please format your submission using the following parameters: 12-point new times roman, default margins, and double spaced. Please include a title page with the course number, your name, student number, and assignment title. Also be sure to use in-text citations (MLA, APA, or Chicago are all acceptable) and include a separate bibliography. In-text citations are required for both direct quotes and paraphrased sections where you have included content from a source. Instruction Step 1 – Select a topic! You can either focus your attention on a specific reading/issue we have examined in class (ie. Representations of Islam in Western news media) OR you can deal with religion in the media more generally (ie. Representations of religion in news media). Step 2 – Summarize some of the main conclusions about your topic that we have discussed in class (ie. Common stereotypes or inaccuracies that one can find in media depictions, general themes that one can locate in media presentations, other connections to political or economic issues, etc.). Step 3 – Locate two other scholarly sources on your issue using the UofM library webpage. You can do a general search or look specifically at journal articles (ie. using e-databases like JSTOR or EBSCO). Find a source that will contribute to your selected topic (ie. a scholarly article on representations of Islam in the media). Read through the source and explain the main conclusions. Consider the following questions: does your source agree or disagree with the general conclusions you made in step 2? Why or why not? Step 4 – Critical Analysis: you want to analyze the material and provide your own critique. Here you will want to use at least one or two specific media examples to support your discussion and analysis (ie. find some news stories that make reference to Islam and explain how they reflect your conclusions from steps 2 and 3). Here you could discuss specific stereotypes that you outlined in step 2 but expand on why they are problematic (ie. determine/influence viewer opinions) or how they can be inaccurate. *You are welcome to use the scholarly articles we have used in class but you must find at least TWOs additional scholarly articles or books for these assignments. *You give credit to any information needed. Question For this response, you want to analyze the depictions of religion and apply the various theoretical lenses that we have discussed in previous modules. For example, consider the following questions: Do the religious depictions contain inherent stereotypes? Do they account for sectarian differences within religious tradition or do they present the tradition as a singular entity? Do you see evidence of racialization of religion? Is religion associated with violence? What is the tone of the portrayal? Does the show/film employ comedy? For what purpose? Are the depictions relatively accurate? Does religion play an integral role in the plot or is it mainly in the background? How does religion tie into the plot? Is religion depicted in a positive or negative way? You are not required to answer/address all of these questions but these are suggested topics to consider. If you cannot find a suitable media example, let me know and I can make some suggestions for analysis. Be sure to use either the shows/films from this module as your case studies for analysis. You might also wish to include some examples of your own.