Media Literacy & Current Events

Course Objectives

• Understand the different types of media and their roles in shaping society.
• Identify media bias, misinformation, and disinformation.
• Develop skills in fact-checking and evaluating sources for credibility.
• Analyze the impact of media on public opinion and culture.
• Explore the role of media in civic engagement and democracy.

Course Outline

Unit 1: Introduction to Media and Society

• Overview of the Media Landscape
  • Different types of media (news outlets, social media, television, digital platforms).
  • The role of media in shaping public opinion and culture.
• History and Evolution of Media
  • Historical development of media.
  • The transition from traditional to digital media.

Unit 2: Media Bias and Misinformation

• Understanding Media Bias
  • Types of media bias (political, commercial, ideological).
  • Identifying bias in news articles and reports.
• Misinformation and Disinformation
  • Definitions and differences between misinformation and disinformation.
  • Exploring the sources and effects of fake news.

Unit 3: Fact-Checking and Source Evaluation

• Techniques for Fact-Checking
  • Tools and methods for verifying information.
  • Evaluating the credibility of media sources.
• Practicing Media Literacy
  • Exercises in identifying reliable sources.
  • Strategies for becoming an informed media consumer.

Unit 4: Media and Current Events

• Media Coverage of Current Events
  • Analyzing how media outlets cover major news stories.
  • Exploring the impact of different narratives on public perception.
• Media and Social Issues
  • The role of media in highlighting social issues.
  • The impact of media coverage on public opinion and social movements.

Unit 5: Media and Civic Engagement

• Media and Democracy
  • The role of media in supporting democratic processes.
  • How media can influence voter behavior and civic participation.
• Projects on Media and Civic Engagement
  • Group projects exploring the relationship between media and civic engagement.
  • Presentations and discussions on project outcomes.

Unit 6: Media Ethics and Responsibility

• Ethical Considerations in Media
  • Discussion of media ethics and responsible journalism.
  • Addressing issues like sensationalism and privacy concerns.
• The Responsibility of Media Consumers
  • Encouraging responsible media consumption.
  • Developing habits for discerning credible information.

Unit 7: Final Project and Course Reflection

• Final Project Development
  • Students create a project on a chosen media-related topic.
  • Peer feedback and project presentations.
• Course Review and Reflection
  • Comprehensive review of key concepts and course outcomes.
  • Reflection on personal growth and media literacy skills.

Expected Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to critically evaluate media sources, identify bias and misinformation, and apply fact-checking techniques. They will understand the role of media in shaping public opinion and will have explored the media’s impact on civic engagement and society at large. This course aims to foster responsible media consumers and provide tools for navigating the media landscape with confidence.

Coming soon.

Coming soon.