ZURb1609 Media Literacy

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2022
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Robert Helán, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Iveta Jansová, Ph.D.
Department of Media Studies and Journalism – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Mgr. Boris Rafailov, Ph.D.
Supplier department: Department of Media Studies and Journalism – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Tue 18:00–19:40 P22
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 also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 15 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 6/15, only registered: 1/15, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 1/15
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 35 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
  • INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE: timetable, course objectives, syllabus, literature, teaching methods, assessment methods
    INTRODUCTION TO MEDIA LITERACY: media literacy key concepts; developing media literacy skills; separating facts vs. fiction; techniques for analyzing media messages
    TYPES OF MEDIA: differences between traditional and social media; the reliability and power of social media; using social media to support causes
    ADVERTISING: persuasive techniques used in advertising; analysing advertisements; features of print, radio and television advertisements; types of media messages
    MEDIA BIAS: meaning and types of media bias (by omission, placement, spin); the use of negative connotations; overcoming bias in the media
    DIVERSITY AND THE MEDIA: the importance of diversity in the media; race, ethnicity, culture, gender, and identity in the media; stereotypes
    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
  • 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. Media literacy : keys to interpreting media messages. 3rd ed. Westport, Conn.: Praeger, 2008, xii, 499. ISBN 9780275992583. 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 during the semester)
2. home assignments (reading, writing, 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
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2019, Autumn 2020, Autumn 2021.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2022/ZURb1609