Media Literacy Project
Demonstrate your understanding of the role of mass media in the U.S. and its various effects on society. This project will help you achieve the three student learning outcomes of this course:
- Apply major mass communication theories to current media issues
- Conduct original research using appropriate mass communication research methods
- Evaluate individual, social and cultural impacts of mass communication
In addition, you will practice media literacy skills that will help you become a more critical consumer of the countless media messages you receive in your daily life, even beyond this class.
Task
Conduct a case study on a current media issue or phenomenon that interests you. Then, make your voice heard by producing a piece of media that engages the public. You may choose to work solo OR with a partner.
This project has four components (see your assignment instructions for details):
- PART 1: TOPIC PROPOSAL (one per team) - due Thursday, October 10
- PART 2: CASE STUDY (one per student) - due Thursday, November 21
- PART 3: MEDIA EXPRESSION (one per team) - due Monday, November 25
- PART 4: IN-CLASS PRESENTATION (one per team) - Starting Tuesday, November 26
Sources
You must use and cite at least four scholarly sources for your Case Study.
Topic Examples
- Gender portrayals in video games
- Racial stereotypes in film/TV
- Body image in fashion magazines
- Propaganda
- Hashtag activism
- Advertising on social media
- The effect of media consolidation on the news industry
- How news media influence social movements
- Cancel culture vs. freedom of expression
- The impact of AI on a type of media (music, visual art, etc.)
- News deserts/news apartheid
- Misinformation and conspiracy theories
