Class Slides – Wrapping Up Class

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY

Key questions for class:

What does the future hold for media and communication technology? 

How do we envision a healthy media landscape when we don’t know what comes next?

Media literacy skills will need to grow and adapt as technology changes the way we communicate and interact. In the final class section, we will discuss what might come next and the role we play in creating the future media landscape. 

REMINDERS

MAY 14 – CLASS ENDS 2:15PM

REFLECTIVE ESSAY DUE BEFORE CLASS

Topic: EMERGING TECHNOLOGY, CLASS WRAP UP

FINAL PRESENTATIONS – IN PERSON  2:30PM – 3:50PM

2:30pm Nicholas 

2:40pm Yle

2:50pm Doniyor

3pm Hermelinda

3:10pm Chrissy

3:20pm Dhavin

3:30pm Alexander

3:40pm Artem

MAY 16

Extra Credit Assignment DUE 11:59PM

MAY 18 

FINAL PRESENTATIONS RECORDINGS DUE 11:59PM

Michael

Sofia

Shantall

Donnie

Sana 

Dziyana

Juliza

Juanmy

Larz

Nicole

Olivia

J’Kai

MAY 21 

FINAL PRESENTATIONS – IN PERSON  1PM – 3PM

1:15pm Ariel

1:30pm Mehgan

1:45pm Aiden

2:00pm Ding Kang 

2:15pm Naima

Class Slides – Children As A Special Audience

SAMPLE FINAL PROJECT

EXTRA CREDIT – FOR WEEKLY ASSIGNMENT GRADE

DUE FRIDAY MAY 16 BY 11:59 PM

EXPLORE ONE OF THESE TOPICS

Live Nation and AntiTrust  OR AI in Music

For Live Nation and AntiTrust:

Review the podcast and article below. Answer the following questions:

What are three main points of the government’s argument against Live Nation?

How is Live Nation’s power “bad for fans”?

What are your thoughts on this topic? Do you agree that Live Nation is acting as a monopoly? Why or why not?

The Government Takes on Ticketmaster (podcast)

The Emails at the Heart of the Government’s Ticketmaster Case (article)

AI and Music

Review the podcast and article below. Answer the following questions:

What are the risks of using AI for music creation? What are the opportunities?

What rules do you think should be in place when it comes to using AI tools for music?

What are your thoughts on this question posed by the host?

Life experience, identity, culture — these are some of the things that make music human, right? And if you take those things out of the music, then what is it?

The Ballad of Deepfake Drake (podcast)

Who Owns a Song Created by A.I.? (article)

CHILDREN AS A SPECIAL AUDIENCE

Key questions for class:

What responsibility do media makers have when creating content for children? 

How should the tech industry consider children’s needs and safety?

Children’s media is a growing industry that comes with its own opportunities and challenges. In this class, we will look into the rules and guidelines media and tech companies need to adhere to when children are their audience. We will also explore how media for children impacts them and their well-being. 

Class Slides – Humor, Satire, Music

Final Project Assigned

HUMOR AND SATIRE

Key questions for class:

How can humor and satire help us understand the world and each other?

When, if ever, do humor and satire go too far?

Humor and satire make us laugh but can also make us think. They can also offend and make people uncomfortable. In this lesson, we will talk about the power of laughter to help us discuss difficult topics and what happens when not everyone gets the joke. 

Bonus reading:

MUSIC IS MEDIA

Key questions for class:

Why is music so powerful? 

What impact can music have on social change? 

When we think about our relationship to media, we often forget that music is media! For many, music is the medium they spend more time with than any other. For this lesson, we will dive into how music has impacted society and how our music choices impact our daily lives. 

HOMEWORK

Review the following:

Will Smith Slaps Chris Rock at the Oscars 1 mn 23 scs

The Slap, A Breakdown 4 mn 11 scs

Will Smith and Chris Rock’s history: what led to the Oscars slap? (The Week)

Will Smith’s slap and Oscars ban, briefly explained (Vox)

Jada Pinkett Smith Shouldn’t Have to Take a Joke. Either Should You. (Roxane Gay)

Respond to the following and deliver them by Monday, May 5 at 11:59 pm.

1. Share your thoughts and reaction about this Oscars incident including what led up to it. (Do you think Chris Rock’s joke was funny? What are your thoughts on Will Smith’s response? Do you think the Academy’s response was appropriate? 
2. What are your thoughts on this point Roxane Gay makes? Do you think she’s making a strong point here? Why or why not?  “It should go without saying that comedians are free to say what they please. Long live creative license and free speech. But it should be obvious that the targets of jokes and insults have every right to react and response. There is a strange idea that there is nobility in tolerating or, better yet, enjoying humor that attacks who you are, what you do or how you look – that with free speech comes the obligation to turn the other cheek, rise above, and laugh it all off…if you can’t laugh along, you are humorless. You’re thin-skinned. You’re a problem.” 
3. What do you think about Roxane Gay’s piece overall? What resonates most with you from her essay?

EXTRA CREDIT – FOR WEEKLY ASSIGNMENT GRADE

DUE FRIDAY MAY 9 BY 11:59 PM

EXPLORE ONE OF THESE TOPICS

Ticketmaster and AntiTrust 

The Government Takes on Ticketmaster (podcast)

The Emails at the Heart of the Government’s Ticketmaster Case (article)

AI and Music

The Ballad of Deepfake Drake (podcast)

Who Owns a Song Created by A.I.? (article)

Class Slides – April 23

Final Project Examples

Example 1

Example 2

Example 3

WHEN YOU ARE THE NEWS

Key questions for class:

How does the news impact people that are part of the story?

What responsibility do journalists and content creators have to ensure the subject of their story approves of its telling? 

In this class, I will share the personal story which brought me to media literacy and why I am so passionate about it. 

My Story Slides

Homework

Email me links to 3 music videos for songs that have changed your life. Think of songs that have inspired you, helped you through a tough time, introduced you to a new artist, or just made you feel like you were on the top of the world. Send me the links and a paragraph about what the songs mean to you by 11:59pm ET on Monday, April 28.

REMINDERS

APRIL 16

NO CLASS – SPRING BREAK

You will receive midterm grades over break via email. 

APRIL 23

REFLECTIVE ESSAY AND FINAL PROJECT DISCUSSION

APRIL 30 

REFLECTIVE ESSAY AND FINAL PROJECT ASSIGNED

MAY 14

REFLECTIVE ESSAY DUE

MAY 21 

FINAL PROJECT 

Class Presentation – Reality TV and Beyond Fake News

REALITY TV

BEYOND FAKE NEWS

Key questions for class:

 How do we move forward in our country if people don’t agree on the facts?

Why do people believe conspiracy theories?

These are complicated, polarized times in the U.S. Often it seems like there are different realities being lived at the same time depending on where someone gets their information. In this class session, we will move beyond simply identifying “fake” information and move towards an understanding of why people believe what they believe. 

Homework Due Monday, April 21 at 11:59pm

Finish Embedded Alternate Realities Podcast (All 3 episodes)

Write a 1-2 page reflection on this podcast series.

Did you like it? Why or why not? What did you find most interesting? Were you satisified with the ending? Why or why not?

Imagine you were asked to make a 4th episode of this series. What would you want it to cover? Who would you want to participate? What questions would you ask to the participants?

Bonus Material:

https://video.kqed.org/video/can-you-win-an-argument-with-a-conspiracy-theorist-qmmezc/

https://www.pbs.org/video/the-secret-economy-of-conspiracy-theories-xzzukk/

https://thecrashcourse.com/topic/navigatingdigitalinfo/

REALITY TV

Key questions for class:

How has Reality TV impacted the entertainment industry?

Why is it so popular and what are the major criticisms of the genre? 

Reality TV is hardly “real” but it sure is entertaining for a lot of people. We will explore the six subgenres; romance, crime, informational, reality-drama, competition or game, and talent. In class, we will explore the economics, ethics, and impact of Reality TV. 

Class Presentation – Reality TV

HOMEWORK:

Listen to episode 1 of NPR’s Embedded – Alternate Realities: A Strange Bet (27 minutes long)

Answer the below questions in a doc and deliver by Monday, April 7 at 11:59pm: 

What are your thoughts on the premise of this short podcast series? 

Do you think it’s an effective way to deal with the issue of conspiracy theories? Why or why not? 

How does this first episode make you feel?

March 26

Midterm Due

Key questions for last class:

Why does representation matter?

How are inclusion efforts in media impacting content?

Class Slides – Representation (cont.)

Roxane Gay – The Oscars and Hollywood’s Race Problem

Homework due Monday, March 31 at 11:59pm.

Watch this 5 minute video entitled “Why is Reality TV so popular?”

https://www.nbcnews.com/video/why-is-reality-tv-so-popular-1445444163854

Answer the following questions (a paragraph is sufficient for each answer.)

What are the 3 main reasons that people watch reality TV according to the video? What is another reason you think reality TV is super popular these days?

In the video, a psychologist is quoted as saying that people like reality TV because “they see other people in humilating and awkward situations so that they can feel superior.” Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?

The video connects early 1990 confessionals from the Real World to today’s vlogging culture. How would you describe the impact reality TV had on creating influencer culture?

Do you watch Reality TV? If so, why and which shows do you watch? If not, why?

REPRESENTATION MATTERS

Key questions for class:

Why does representation matter?

How are inclusion efforts in media impacting content? 

Representation is a core topic of exploration in media literacy. During this class, we will dive into how gender, race, and sexuality representation impacts us all.

Class Slides – Representation

Critical Media Literacy Project

Click to access UCLA-Hollywood-Diversity-Report-2025-Theatrical-Film-2-27-2025.pdf

Resources

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/research/who-is-the-you-in-youtube-missed-opportunities-in-race-and-representation-in-childrens-youtube-videos

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/research/the-inclusion-imperative

Where We Are on TV Report 2023-2024

Where We Are on TV Report 2023-2024

BASED ON A TRUE STORY

Key questions for class:

How true are based on a true story narratives?

What consquence does fictionalization of truth have on how we understand history?

A lot of media content is created because of something that has taken place in real life. However, some “based on a true story” narratives deviate tremendously from what actually took place. In this class, we will talk about why deviating can be tricky. 

Class Slides – March 12

https://www.vox.com/22611401/amanda-knox-story-stillwater

Midterm Assigned 

Blackkklansman

Sing Sing

Lee

A Complete Unknown

Shirley

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. 

Day One Presentation

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. 

ForwardDownload

Chapter 5Download

Also, be prepared to discuss Super Bowl ads on February 19!

NAVIGATING THE MEDIA SATURATED AND AI GENERATED WORLD

Key questions for class:

What is unique about today’s media landscape? 

What are the challenges and opportunities do I notice as an individual and as part of the broader society?  

We will discuss the different aspects of the current media ecosystem, explore the overarching effects of such rapid technological change, and explore how we as individuals process all the information available to us on a daily basis. 

Class Slides – February 19

Bo Burnham Welcome to the Internet

Roxane Gay Tragedy Plays on Infinite Loop

OPPORTUNITY:

A Post-Inauguration Reassessment of U.S. Democracy: A Talk by Jamelle Bouie

February 20 @ 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm

The 2024 election results call into question the robustness and longevity of U.S. democracy and the rule of law. On the one hand, the present moment echoes U.S. history, namely the Reconstruction counterrevolution. On the other hand, the Trumpification of the GOP is incomparable in U.S. history. To help assess the perils and possibilities of the moment is the nation’s leading columnist, who has consistently provided clear-eyed, trenchant, and historically informed insights into U.S. politics.

Jamelle Bouie is a columnist for The New York Times. He covers U.S. history, politics, and constitutional history. Previously, Bouie was chief political correspondent for Slatemagazine. He has also contributed essays to volumes such as Four Hundred Souls: A Community History of African America, 1619–2019 and The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story. In 2021, he received the Hillman Prize for Opinion and Analysis Journalism and in 2024 he was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Presented by the Herbert Kurz Chair in Constitutional Rights, the Daniel M. Lyons Chair in History, the Frederic Ewen Lecture on Academic Freedom and Civil Liberties, and the Ethyle R. Wolfe Institute.

SUPER BOWL HALFTIME SHOW

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A post shared by Impact (@impact)

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A post shared by NOTION (@notion)

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/kendrick-lamar-super-bowl-performance-serena-williams-1235262665/

https://www.wired.com/story/true-story-behind-kendrick-lamar-super-bowl-halftime-show/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/callumbooth/2025/02/10/did-kendrick-lamar-win-or-lose-the-super-bowl-halftime-show/

Homework due February 24 by 11:59pm

Answer the key questions for one of the Super Bowl Ads from this list that we did not discuss in class.  Write the questions and the answers in a document and either upload to your google folder or email them to me.

WHO OWNS THE MEDIA?

Key questions for class:

What is the overall financial model of the media industry?

Who holds the power and how does that impact the individual? 

Understanding the economics of media is key to being a media literate citizen. In this class, we will explore how money impacts decision making, concepts of corporate consolidation and media monopolies and look at how social media companies monetize our attention.

Class Slides – February 26

Homework due March 3 by 11:59pm

Listen to the 25 minute podcast episode of the NY Times The Daily from December 17, 2020 entitled Should Facebook Be Broken Up?

Answer the following questions:

In 2020, did the F.T.C. have a strong argument that Facebook/Meta is a monopoly?

Does Facebook/Meta have a strong argument as to why they are NOT a monopoly?

In your opinion, should Facebook/Meta be broken up?

Explain your answers using evidence from the podcast.

Your assignment should be 1-2 pages.

ADVERTISING AND BRANDING

Key questions for class:

How has advertising changed over the years? 

Why is branding important and how does it impact what we see and buy? 

Advertising is a $700 million global industry and continues to grow year and year out. We will discuss how advertising has changed over the years, discuss our relationship with brands, and anaylze advertising strategies.  

Class Slides – March 5

INFLUENCERS AND CANCEL CULTURE

Key questions for class:

What does it mean to be an influencer?

How is cancel culture affecting how we behave and interact with each other. 

Social media has given voice to the voiceless and power to the unknown. However, it hasn’t come without massive consequences – both harmful and helpful. This discussion will explore what it means to have influence and why cancel culture might be an ineffective strategy for changing people’s behavior.

Class Slides – March 6

HOMEWORK: Before next week’s class, watch the trailers for the following based on a true story movies. You will choose one of these films as for your midterm project.

Sing Sing

Lee

Blackkklansman

A Complete Unknown

Shirley