Full Description
Drawing from thousands of media research studies, W. James Potter presents numerous examples and facts to help students understand how the media operate, how they attract attention and how they influence the public. Each chapter concludes with a set of exercises to help readers apply the chapter material to everyday life and engage in a step-by-step process to increase their own media literacy.
Contents
PrefaceAcknowledgmentsAbout the AuthorPART I. INTRODUCTIONChapter 1. Why Increase Media Literacy?The Information ProblemDealing With the Information ProblemThe Big QuestionSummaryFurther ReadingKeeping Up to DateChapter 2. Media Literacy ApproachWhat Is Media Literacy?The Three Building Blocks of Media LiteracyThe Definition of Media LiteracyThe Development of Media LiteracyAdvantages of Developing a Higher Degree of Media LiteracySummaryFurther ReadingExercisePART II. AUDIENCESChapter 3. Audience: Individual PerspectiveInformation-Processing TasksAnalyzing the Idea of Exposure to Media MessagesThe Media Literacy ApproachSummaryFurther ReadingExerciseChapter 4. Audience: Industry PerspectiveShift From Mass to Niche Perspective on AudienceIdentifying NichesAttracting AudiencesConditioning AudiencesSummaryFurther ReadingExercisesChapter 5. Children as a Special AudienceWhy Treat Children as a Special Audience?Special Treatment From RegulatorsSpecial Treatment From ParentsRe-examining the Case for Special Treatment of ChildrenYoung Adults as a Special AudienceSummaryFurther ReadingKeeping Up to DateExercisePART III. INDUSTRYChapter 6. Development of the Mass Media IndustriesPatterns of DevelopmentComparisons Across Mass MediaCurrent PictureSummaryFurther ReadingKeeping Up to DateExercisesChapter 7. Economic PerspectiveThe Media Game of EconomicsCharacteristics of the GameMedia Industry PerspectiveConsumers' StrategiesSummaryFurther ReadingKeeping Up to DateExercisesPART IV. CONTENTChapter 8. Media Content and RealityRole of Reality in Media Content FormulasReality Programming as a GenreThe Importance of Media LiteracySummaryFurther ReadingKeeping Up to DateExerciseChapter 9. NewsDynamic Nature of NewsDifferent Perspectives on NewsConsumer Standards for Evaluating the Quality of NewsHow Can We Become More Media Literate With News?SummaryFurther ReadingKeeping Up to DateExercisesChapter 10. EntertainmentStory FormulasChallengesPatternsBecoming Media Literate With Entertainment MessagesSummaryFurther ReadingKeeping Up to DateExercisesChapter 11. AdvertisingAdvertising Is PervasiveProcess of Constructing Advertising MessagesBecoming More Media Literate with AdvertisingSummaryFurther ReadingKeeping Up to DateExercisesChapter 12. Interactive MediaCompetitive ExperiencesCooperative ExperiencesAcquisition ExperiencesMedia Literacy With Interactive MessagesSummaryFurther ReadingKeeping Up to DateExercisesPART V. EFFECTSChapter 13. Broadening Our Perspective on Media EffectsTiming of EffectsValence of EffectsIntentionality of EffectsType of EffectsFour-Dimensional AnalysisBecoming More Media LiterateSummaryFurther ReadingExercisesChapter 14. How Does the Media Effects Process Work?Media Effects Are Constantly OccurringFactors Influencing Media EffectsProcess of InfluenceThinking About BlameBecoming More Media LiterateSummaryFurther ReadingKeeping Up to DateExercisesPART VI. THE SPRINGBOARDChapter 15. Helping Yourself and Others to Increase Media LiteracyHelping YourselfHelping OthersSummaryKeeping Up to DateExercisesPART VII. CONFRONTING THE ISSUESIssue 1. Ownership of Mass Media BusinessesDelineating the IssueEvidence of ConcentrationEvidence for HarmYour Own Informed OpinionFurther ReadingKeeping Up to DateApplying Media Literacy SkillsIssue 2. SportsDelineating the IssueThe Money CycleOlympicsVideo GamingYour Own Informed OpinionFurther ReadingKeeping Up to DateApplying Media Literacy SkillsIssue 3. Fake NewsWhat Is Fake News?Media-Literate Treatment of Fake NewsYour Own Informed OpinionFurther ReadingKeeping Up to DateApplying Media Literacy SkillsIssue 4. AdvertisingDelineating the IssueFaulty CriticismsCriticisms Based on Personal ValuesCriticisms About ResponsibilityYour Own Informed OpinionFurther ReadingApplying Media Literacy SkillsIssue 5. Media ViolenceDelineating the IssueThe Public's Faulty PerceptionsProducers' Faulty BeliefsYour Own Informed OpinionFurther ReadingApplying Media Literacy SkillsIssue 6. PrivacyDelineating the IssueCriminal Threats to Your PrivacyNon-criminal Threats to Your PrivacyPublic Opinion and RegulationsYour Own Informed OpinionFurther ReadingKeeping Up to DateApplying Media Literacy SkillsGlossaryReferencesIndex
