Media Literacy: A Definition
Selecting a Media Artifact.
Choose a short piece of online media you find both appealing and ideologically problematic. Examples might include commercials, music videos, movie clips, comedy sketches, news segments, etc., for which you can find a link on YouTube or other non- pay online video platform. If you find the media appealing but not problematic, choose something else. If you find the media problematic but don't understand its appeal, likewise, choose something else. You should be able to recognize a tension between your own attraction to the media and the unease you feel about that attraction. For instance, ask yourself if the media spreads misinformation, reinforces stereotypes, exploits or insults a group of people, objectifies human beings, or otherwise causes harm, intentionally or unintentionally.
For each section of your paper, you will be given time in class to share your work with classmates for an opportunity to receive feedback and critique. You will then have a few hours to incorporate their feedback before the final Moodle deadline of 11:59pm.
Your submission online should look like this:
Your Name Date Submitted
Applying Questions 1 and 2
Title of Media Artifact Analyzed
Link to Media: http://www.pastehyperlinktoyourchosenmediahere.com
1. Who created this message?
Insert your answer here.
2. What creative and/or persuasive techniques are used to attract my attention?Insert your answer here.
3. How might different people understand this message differently from me?
4. What lifestyles, values and points of view are represented in, or omitted from, this message?