Media and technology have become an integral part of our lives, and we are often mindless consumers. Countless portrayals of propaganda, advertising promotions, entertainment media, news broadcasts, and interpretative media are encountered on a daily basis. While the overarching focus of this course is on visual media additional topics will be explored in order to provide background knowledge including the concept of responsible digital citizenship. Within this course students will analyze the visual media that they often view in an effort to become more informed consumers. Students will be introduced to the concepts of media and information literacy as well as digital citizenship through in-class discussions and an array of assignments including analysis of various forms of advertisements, peer-centered media circles, library research, attendance of cultural events as well as the weekly analysis of current events from local, national and global sources. Students will also evaluate these various forms of media (films, magazines, advertisements, photographs, and current events) for their perceived purpose, viewpoint, and overall effectiveness of intent. To accomplish these goals, students will complete assignments and explore the concepts through the lens of their own personal and cultural experiences, as well as using knowledge acquired through course readings and a library research assignment. This section of First Year Seminar will encourage both campus and community involvement through discussion, debate, assignments and experiences.
