28519

WiSe 20/21: Introduction to Media and Information Literacy

Tong-Jin Smith

Comments

This introductory course will be taught primarily in English and will be a mix of in-person and online classes. We live in a time of rapid transformation within media and our entire communication system. Phenomena such as false information, fake news and propaganda can spread just as quickly and with equal reach as breaking news, scientific breakthroughs or the opinions of pundits. Social Media and search engines have become integral parts of everyday communication and information consumption. Legacy Media alone no longer determine what topics an increasingly active audience thinks about. Thus questions arise: What does being media literate in the digital age mean? What does the audience need to know? What do journalists and professional communicators need to know? Requirements: interest in group work/discussions and hands on research, firm in both English and German, willingness to complete reading assignments and conduct field work outside of class and present research results. Attendance & Grading: Please, be present for the first session and continue to participate regularly. Evaluation (no grading) will take place via oral presentations as well as written work allowing participants to practice critical thinking, researching and scientific writing stressfree. close