In the learning module Allies and Aliens students assume the role of agents from planet Earth who must assess varying degrees of prejudice and misinformation as they visit Web sites from other planets. Because most kids don't think to look for bias or false information online and subtle forms of racism may be difficult to recognize, Allies and Aliens uses the pretense of an evaluation mission to keep players from guessing its true purpose right away. The mission is divided into two parts. On Day One, students encounter information with little direction. On Day Two, the module's purpose becomes apparent. Allies and Aliens aims to teach students the basics about bias, stereotyping, misinformation and propaganda techniques, on the Internet and in other media. It also helps students to understand the difference between fact and opinion, and the importance of authenticating online information. The challenges of this module will ultimately sharpen students' research skills as well as their critical thinking skills. The experience will teach them to recognize viewpoint, bias, and manipulation -- online and off.

In this lesson, students investigate the influence of fast food brand names on food choices and analyze the factors that contribute to branding preferences. Then they write an opinion essay on the corporate responsibility to influence food choices.

Current Issues is a one semester Social Studies elective that takes a close look at the media surrounding us. We analyze the unique place in history occupied by the United States that allowed media to develop and flourish. From there we investigate the origins of Newspaper, Television, Internet, and Advertising. After looking at the past history of various mediums of mass communication, students then take a look at current efforts and future endeavors of each communication tool. Finally students end the course in a disruptive innovation on the research paperĐwith collaborative research done in a Wiki Space. Students stay connected with current events as they are happening and learn perspective about the media that we interact with on a day to day basis.

" This course examines representations of race, class, gender, and sexual identity in the media. We will be considering issues of authorship, spectatorship, (audience) and the ways in which various media content (film, television, print journalism, advertising) enables, facilitates, and challenges these social constructions in society. In addition, we will examine how gender and race affects the production of media, and discuss the impact of new media and digital media and how it has transformed access and participation, moving contemporary media users from a traditional position of "readers" to "writers" and/or commentators. Students will analyze gendered and racialized language and embodiment as it is produced online in blogs and vlogs, avatars, and in the construction of cyberidentities. The course provides an introduction to feminist approaches to media studies by drawing from work in feminist film theory, journalism, cultural studies, gender and politics, and cyberfeminism."

BBC News 24, Sky News, CNN - we live in an era where news has become almost instantaneous. This unit will look at how news is gathered and the technology used for its dissemination. You will also be encouraged to examine how information might be manipulated by questioning its reliability.

Offers an overview of the social, cultural, political, and economic impact of mediated communication on modern culture. Combines critical discussions with hands-on "experiments" working with different media. Media covered include radio, television, film, the printed word, and digital technologies. Topics include the nature and function of media, core media institutions, and media in transition.

Details of a methodology that students can use to follow and explore an issue or topic in newspapers, television or radio over a period of time (1-2 weeks).

Consider the difference between critical viewing and being critical. Analyze the persuasive techniques in four cigarette print ads by answering five questions in this interactive form.

Description from course home page:This course examines the interplay of art, science, and commerce shaping the production, marketing, distribution, and consumption of contemporary media. It combines perspectives on media industries and systems with an awareness of the creative process, the audience, and trends shaping content. There will be invited discussions with industry experts in various subject areas. Class projects will encourage students to think through the challenges of producing media in an industry context.

During the World War Two years, a series of groundbreaking radio programs tried to mend the deep racial and ethnic divisions that threatened America. At a time when blacks were usually shown on the radio as lazy buffoons, the federal government and civil rights activists used radio for a counter attack. Did radio unify America in the face of war? This is "Radio Fights Jim Crow".

An analysis of television advertising video recordings from the 1970's using a methodology based on the structural anthropology of Claude Lévi-Strauss.

Stealing Empire poses the question What possibilities for agency exist in the age of corporate globalisation Using the work of Antonio Negri and Michael Hardt as a point of entry Adam Haupt delves into varied terrain to locate answers in this groundbreaking inquiry He explores arguments about copyright via peertopeer P2P platforms such as Napster free speech struggles debates about access to information and open content licenses and develops a politically incisive analysis of counter discourses produced by South African hip-hop artists From empire stealing through their commodification of countercultures to the stealing empire activities of filesharers culture jammers and hiphop activists this book tells the story of people defining themselves as active creative agents in a consumerist society