INTRODUCTION TO MEDIA LITERACY
Key questions for class:
What is media literacy and why is it important?
What is your relationship with media and what does that say about you?
We will discuss the core principles and key questions of media literacy and build a foundation for the semester’s teaching and learning.
Homework
Assignment 1: Write your personal history with media
Personal reflection is key to the media literacy process.
Everyone grows up surrounded by media. What media did you experience growing up? What did you love? What did you hate? Do you remember the first movie you enjoyed? How about the first movie that scared you to death? Did you love reading books as a kid? When did you identify with characters? Did your family have rules about media usage? What was happening in your home with media? Did your family watch the news? Did you watch a show as a family? When did you play your first video game? Get your first social media account? Receive your first text? What about music? What did your family listen to? When did you discover “your music”?
This week, you are going to write your personal history with media. Think about what you saw, heard, and played. Music. Books. TV. Movies. Games. Social Media. You will organize this assignment in the following age ranges:
0-5 years old
6-10 years old
11-15 years old
16-20 years old
Now
For each age group write down everything and I mean everything about your relationship with media at each time of your life. Share your likes, dislikes, habits, patterns. What do you remember?
Then write about what your relationship is with media now – what is your go to social media platform? What’s your favorite show? Movie? Game? Go to music playlists? Tell me everything!!!!
This assignment should come out to at least 3 pages. Please type and double space.
Assignment is due Wednesday, February 12 by 11:59pm. Upload it to your google drive folder. Save all files with “Name, Assignment Title.”
Reading Assignment 1:
Read the forward and Chapter 5 from Neil Postman’s Amusing Yourself to Death.
Also, be prepared to discuss Super Bowl ads on February 19!
Media Literacy (TREM 2160) 