Introduction to Media Literacy

W. James Potter, professor at the University of California at Santa Barbara, holds one PhD in Communication Studies and another in Instructional Technology. He has been teaching media courses for more than two decades in the areas of effects on individuals and society, content narratives, structure and economics of media industries, advertising, and journalism. He has served as editor of the Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media and is the author of many journal articles and several dozen books, including: Media Effects; Media Literacy, 10th edition; The 11 Myths of Media Violence; Major Theories of Media Effects; Becoming a Strategic Thinker: Developing Skills for Success; and 7 Skills of Media Literacy.

Preface Acknowledgments About the Author CHAPTER 1 Why Increase Media Literacy? Our Message-Saturated Culture Automatic Routines Increasing Media Literacy Key Ideas Further Reading Keeping Up to Date CHAPTER 2 Media Literacy Approach Taking out the Trash: Clearing Away Faulty Ideas About Media Literacy Increasing Media Literacy Key Ideas Further Reading CHAPTER 3 Mass Media Industries: Historical Perspective Pre-Mass Media Development of Mass Media Current Picture Increasing Media Literacy Key Ideas Further Reading Keeping Up to Date CHAPTER 4 Mass Media Industries: The Economic Game The Media Game Media Industries' Strategies Increasing Media Literacy Key Ideas Further Reading Keeping Up to Date CHAPTER 5 Mass Media Audience: Industry Perspective Identifying Opportunities Attracting Audiences Conditioning Audiences Increasing Media Literacy Key Ideas Further Reading CHAPTER 6 Mass Media Audience: Individual Perspective Exposure Is Not the Same as Attention Decisions During Exposures Increasing Media Literacy Key Ideas Further Reading CHAPTER 7 Mass Media Content Message Formulas and Genres Most General Formula: Next-Step Reality Narratives Electronic Games Interactive Message Platforms Increasing Media Literacy Key Ideas Further Reading Keeping Up to Date CHAPTER 8 Mass Media Effects Media Effects Are Constantly Occurring Four Dimensions of Media Effects Factors Influencing Media Effects Increasing Media Literacy Key Ideas Further Reading Keeping Up to Date CHAPTER 9 Springboard Twelve Guidelines Examples of Levels of Literacy Key Ideas Further Reading Keeping Up to Date Introduction to Appendices: Analyzing Media Literacy Issues Appendix A. Analyzing Media Issues: Are Professional Athletes Paid Too Much? Increase in Pay Pay Now Too High Non-Sustainability Ruining the Games Conclusions Further Reading Keeping Up to Date Appendix B. Analyzing Media Issues: Is Media Company Ownership Too Concentrated? Consolidation of Ownership Concentration of Power Reduction of Competition Limitations on Access Change in Content Enriches Few People Conclusions Further Reading Keeping Up to Date Appendix C. Analyzing Media Issues: Is News Objective? Analyzing the Idea of Objectivity Analyzing the Idea of Quality in News Considering Standards for News Conclusions Further Reading Keeping Up to Date Appendix D. Analyzing Media Issues: Is There Too Much Violence in the Media? High Amount of Violence in the Media Some People Are More Vulnerable Than Others Reducing the Amount of Violence Conclusions Further Reading Test Your Knowledge Answers Glossary References Index