ZUR393w Media Literacy

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2018
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 6 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Robert Helán, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Pavel Sedláček (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Tae-Sik Kim, Ph.D.
Department of Media Studies and Journalism – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Ing. Bc. Pavlína Brabcová
Supplier department: Department of Media Studies and Journalism – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
each even Wednesday 16:00–19:40 Studio 527
Prerequisites
Students should have minimum knowledge of English corresponding to the B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages to be able to successfully participate in class discussions and debates, presentations, oral and written assignments, and pair/group activities.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 15 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/15, only registered: 0/15
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 16 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
• To examine aspects of the mass media that expand our notions of literacy
• To discuss the difference between reality and media representation
• To explore how the media are used to construct meaning and to persuade
• To investigate how race, class, gender, region, and sexuality are represented in the media
• To assess bias, stereotypes, and information sources in the mass media
• To compare traditional and social media
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course, the students will be able to:
- employ media literacy techniques in analysing media messages
- compare and contrast traditional with social media
- use critical thinking skills to uncover persuasive techniques in advertising
- differentiate the various types of bias in the media
- analyse how race, culture, individuality, ethnicity, sexuality, gender are represented in the mass media
- define and identify fake news
Syllabus
  • SESSION 1 INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE: timetable, course objectives, syllabus, literature, teaching methods, assessment methods
  • SESSION 2 INTRODUCTION TO MEDIA LITERACY: media literacy key concepts; developing media literacy skills; separating facts vs. fiction; techniques for analyzing media messages
  • SESSION 3 TYPES OF MEDIA: differences between traditional and social media; the reliability and power of social media; using social media to support causes
  • SESSION 4 ADVERTISING: persuasive techniques used in advertising; analysing advertisements; features of print, radio and television advertisements; types of media messages
  • SESSION 5 MEDIA BIAS: meaning and types of media bias (by omission, placement, spin); the use of negative connotations; overcoming bias in the media
  • SESSION 6 DIVERSITY AND THE MEDIA: the importance of diversity in the media; race, ethnicity, culture, gender, and identity in the media; stereotypes
  • SESSION 7 FAKE NEWS: definition; News Literacy; identifying real news from fake news; propaganda and manipulation; misinformation and disinformation
  • This syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the instructors.
Literature
    recommended literature
  • CAMISANI-CALZOLARI, Marco. The fake news bible. [Spojené státy americké]: Amazon, 2018, 270 stran. ISBN 9781980920427. info
  • ATTKISSON, Sharyl. The smear : how shady political operatives and fake news control what you see, what you think, and how you vote. First edition. New York: Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins publishers, 2017, 294 stran. ISBN 9780062468178. info
  • BARTLETT, Bruce R. The truth matters : a citizen's guide to separating facts from lies and stopping fake news in its tracks. First edition. New York: Ten speed press, 2017, 136 stran. ISBN 9780399581168. info
  • POTTER, W. James. Media literacy. Eight edition. Los Angeles: Sage, 2016, xxiii, 546. ISBN 9781483379326. info
  • PIKE, Deidre. Media literacy : seeking honesty, independence, and productivity in today's mass messages. New York: International debate education association, 2014, vii, 262. ISBN 9781617700859. info
  • HOBBS, Renee. Digital and media literacy : connecting culture and classroom. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Corwin Press, 2011, xi, 214. ISBN 9781412981583. info
  • SILVERBLATT, Art, Jane FERRY and Barbara FINAN. Approaches to media literacy : a handbook. Armonk: M.E. Sharpe, 1999, xii, 280. ISBN 0765601850. info
Teaching methods
lectures, discussions, debates, student presentations, oral and written assignments, individual work, pair/group work, critical thinking, creative thinking, task-based learning, e-learning and interactive exercises
Assessment methods
1. revision quizzes (2x-3x during the semester)
2. home assignments (reading, e-learning)
3. team-presentations (in pairs or groups)
4. final written project (up to 1,000 words)
5. attendance (one missed session is tolerated)
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
Teacher's information
https://is.muni.cz/auth/el/1423/podzim2018/ZUR393w/index.qwarp
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
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