Media Literacy COMM-2413
COMM-2413: Media Literacy explores how media influences the way people understand, interpret, and interact with the world around them. The course examines everyday media consumption, including social media, news, advertising, entertainment, and digital technologies such as search engines and artificial intelligence.
Students are encouraged to reflect on their own media habits while developing a deeper understanding of how media messages are created, distributed, and consumed.
Throughout the course, students will also learn to critically evaluate media content, recognize stereotypes and persuasion techniques, consider issues of privacy and free speech, and assess the credibility of information and media sources.
Through readings, videos, reflections, discussions, and practical assignments, the course helps students become more thoughtful and informed media consumers who can navigate today’s increasingly complex media environment.
Course Assignment & Assessment Checklist
| Week | Topic | Main Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Media Literacy | Media diary + 400–600-word reflection |
| 2 | How People Use Media | Media-free day + 400–600-word reflection |
| 3 | Media Economics | Watch Sally Kohn |
| 4 | Free Speech & Censorship | Watch Lewinsky + Lukianoff |
| 5 | “Free Media” & Privacy | Chapter 11 REFLECT, 400–600 words + Exam 1 |
| 6 | Search Engines & AI | Hobbs Ch. 3 |
| 7 | News | Hobbs Ch. 4 + Braver Way podcast |
| 8 | Advertising | Hobbs Ch. 5 |
| 9 | Entertainment | Hobbs Ch. 6–7 |
| 10 | Representation | Chapter 12 CREATE slideshow |
| 11 | Social Networking | Shirky + Turkle |
| 12 | Evaluating Media | Chapter 8 REFLECT, 400–600 words |
| 13 | Trusting Media | Parent interview + Chapter 13 ANALYZE, 400–600 words |
| 14 | Media Literacy | Hobbs Ch. 14 + Exam 2 |
