Media Representation and Society

1. Course Description
This course examines the role of the media (print, film, radio, television, and ‘new media’ which includes the internet/social media) in the proliferation and acquisition of knowledge about the world, and how in turn this knowledge influences human societies (attitudes and behaviours). The course assumes that historically mass media and the industries that produce media products have played significant cultural and political roles in the past and into contemporary society, and therefore seeks to acquaint the student with basic issues, media research frameworks, and media effects theories to better understand effects of media within the broader societal context. The relationship between the media and the public, the newest influence of new media technologies, and dilemmas facing media policy makers (most significantly in the era of deregulations) are closely scrutinized.

2. Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
● explain the complex role(s) of media in society
● critically evaluate the mass media and their role in constructing social reality
● identify key concepts and principles in contemporary communication and media studies
● orient themselves in the development of media effects theories
● critically assess the impact of the newest information technologies on society

3. Reading Material
Required Materials
▪ Harris, R. J., & Sanborn, F. W. (2019). A Cognitive Psychology of Mass Communication. 7th Edition. Routledge.

recommended:

• Talbot, Mary. Media discourse: Representation and interaction. Edinburgh University Press, 2007.
• Orgad, Shani. Media representation and the global imagination. John Wiley & Sons, 2014.
• Aigrain, Philippe, HongJiang Zhang, and Dragutin Petkovic. "Content-based representation and retrieval of visual media: A state-of-the-art review." Multimedia tools and applications 3 (1996): 179-202.
• Pandey G. (2000). "Voices from the Edge: The Struggle to Write Subaltern Histories." In Mapping
• McDonald, Kevin (May 18, 2015). "From Indymedia to Anonymous: rethinking action and identity in digital cultures" (PDF). Information, Communication & Society. 18 (8): 968–982.
• Make a Zine. When Words and Graphics Collide. Microcosm Publishing zinewiki.com, Zinebook.com, Zineplosion.yuku.com

Teaching methodology: seminars and lectures
The class will meet intensively for three weeks. Students will complete various assignments. In the fourth
week, the final project will be submitted and presented. Consultations on an individual basis will be
possible.

4. Relevant events and venues: Světozor, bio Oko gif: girls in film