Hate+Words+in+iCarly+Cassandra+Butkowski

Topic: Hate words in iCarly.

Importance: Parents of today are trying hard to raise their children to be kind, empathetic, and to avoid bully each other. There have been efforts to enforce that everyone plays nicely in school. In the public front we push for equality among children but shows like iCarly use vocabulary and actions promote children to discriminate against each other. If we wish to promote tolerance and acceptance among the youth, we need to understand what their media is teaching them.

Forms of research: Analyzing content, Researching scholarly documents on hate words in media.

Step by Step: I would start by watching 4-5 episodes and note how/why/when they use hate words. I will also note who is using the hate words and see if certain characters use hate words more often than others as a way to establish their character. I will research studies on hate words by media experts and by sociologists. I will read articles on how hate words shape the minds of children and also society. I will research what the long term effects of hate words can have on a person's psychology.

Predictions: I expect to find that the character Sam is betrayed using the most hate words. She'll say and do mean things to maintain her power and position in the show. I also predicate that Carly will use hate words in order to make herself to stand out among the crowd. I expect to find that the show iCarly is teaching children to look down on any one deemed a "loser".

Step 1: Define hate words and hateful gestures. Step 2: Research hate words in other tween targeted shows. (Lizzy, Clarissa, Hannah Montana etc) Step 3: Based on previous views develop predictions on who will use hate words and how they will be used. Step 4: Develop spreadsheet to examine Hate words and gestures used by Carly and by Sam. Have columns for context and target. Step 5: Begin to watch episodes and see if my spreadsheet is effective at documenting the show. Step 6: Examine the Spreadsheets and look for patterns in Sam and Carly's actions. Step 7: Research on put down humor and hate words in media. Step 8: Use research to try and answer these questions : why are they not held accountable for spreading hate and why do the victims of their hate stay around? Step 9: Start my paper and presentation.

Super work here--- you've got the green light! GRADE: A