Representation in the Media

Course Description

An exploration of the ways in which popular media represents our diverse and dynamic culture. The course focuses particularly on images and narratives of race and gender on television, in the movies and in popular culture. It also examines the cultural forces that influence how such representations are produced and perceived, their political and behavioral consequences, and various methods for analyzing and critiquing popular media.

Learning Outcomes

• Analyze texts from the media to identify how they construct people and power.
• Identify and analyze visual symbols.
• Describe and use entertainment assessment tools, such as character investigation, examination of themes, and content analysis.
• Distinguish the production and political economy of various media, such as television, music videos, film, and magazines.
• Recognize and discuss in writing how various modes of censorship shape and limit media representations.
• Identify the plural perspectives of communities and viewers as well as the stakes in representing cultural communities (including women, gay men, lesbians, African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, etc.) in the media.
• Analyze how media target and represent children.
• Write analyses of media texts that are supported by evidence derived through media analysis.
• Use media to understand the biases of contemporary culture.
• Identify the representation of class, income, gender, and ethnicity in media content
• Understand the relationship between power, politics, ownership, and media
• Apply the use of entertainment assessment tools, such as character investigation, examination of themes, and content analysis
• Analyze media texts and images
• Identify how media represent and target demographic groups
• Apply critical thinking skills to identify discriminatory media messages and images
• Understand how media is censored and regulated
• Analyze and illustrate how culture and media content interact

Prerequisites

• ENG100
• ENG101