Interdisciplinary Course: Media Literacy

The Interdisciplinary Course Media Literacy will integrate our school theme "Exploration and
Inventions". We will begin our study by focusing on the history of media, starting with the printing
press. From here we will move to current issues regarding media, including the democratization of
media, evaluation and devaluation of media and the finances of media. The class will be heavily
technology based, so be prepared to become more computer savvy. Our class will also be
responsible for our school news broadcasts that will be available to all classes via skype.

Daily Class Expectations:

-participate in whole class projects as well as individual projects

-participate in class readings, discussions, & films
-complete class assignments & projects to the best of your ability
-participate with a positive attitude in bi-weekly projects, class trips, guest speakers, and class time

Grading Policy:

90-100% = A 80-89%= B
70-79%= C 60-69%= D
>60% = F

Point Breakdown for Specific Assignments:

Bi-weekly Projects: 200 points

Daily Activities/Notes: 20 points
Weekly Participation in Announcements: 50 points
Final Project: 600 points

Contact Information:

E-mail: Rachael@rainshadowcchs.org website: rtullar.weebly.com

"We are drowning in information but starved for knowledge." -John Naisbitt, Megatrend
 Course Calendar

Week/Day Monday- Thursday

1 Introduction to the course, Media Literacy Alphabet, Printing Press, Create schedule
8/31-9/3 for announcements for the school, Forms of Media, What is being media literate
mean?
2 Communication: One-way & Two-way, Watch the film “Babel”, Film critique, Eight
9/7-9/10 Key Concepts in Media. No School Monday: Labor Day
3 Deconstructing Media, Political Communication, Watch “Media that Matters”
9/14-9/17 Documentary. No School Monday: Professional Development
4 Media Stereotypes: How differences divide. Propaganda & political communication.
9/21-9/24 The media Triangle. Power, persuasion & propaganda: Exploring multiple motives
5 Differences between product, brand, & corporation. “Media that Matters”
9/28-10/1 Documentary. Icons, Brands, & You. Billboards & Print ads.
6 Radio-Local & national stations. Creating podcasts. No School Monday: Professional
10/5-10/8 Development
7 Product Placement: Hidden Messages- What types of cereal go on the top shelf and
10/12-10/15 why? Packaging. Understanding target marketing. Documentary: Good Food Media
that matters. No Class Thursday: Half Day Television. Local news stations.
Uncovering values & viewpoints. Media conglomerates.
8 Movie survey: gender. Heroes & heroines, and you. Taking a stand on media
10/19-10/22 violence. Class debate.
9 Television. Local news stations. Uncovering values & viewpoints. Media
10/26-10/29 conglomerates.
10 Magazines. How much of media are ads? Making room for multiple perspectives.
11/2-11/5
11 Newspapers. Embedded values in the news. Local & national comparison. No
11/9-11/12 School Wednesday: Veterans Day
12 Art. Digital art wave. How media has changed our definition of what is considered
11/16-11/19 art.

13 Websites, blogging, The Onion. The many different avenues “news” comes from.
11/23-11/26 No School Thursday: Thanksgiving
14 Film. What goes into making a film? Production values.
11/30-123
15 Media today. Media freedoms. The business of media: who’s renting my eyeballs?
12/7-12/10
16 Final Project work time.
12/14-12/17

17 Final Project work time.

1/4-1/7
18 Final Project work time. Final Project Presentation
1/11-1/14

19 Portfolios. No School Monday: Martin Luther King Jr. Day. No Class Thursday:
1/18-1/21 Half Day