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Understanding Media Literacy Basics

Apr 20, 2025

Crash Course Media Literacy Lecture Notes

Introduction by Jay Smooth

  • Host: Jay Smooth
  • Series: Crash Course Media Literacy
  • Focus on:
    • How we consume, create, and the impact of media.
  • U.S. adults spend approx. 10 hours a day on media.
  • Teens spend around 6 to 9 hours.

Definition of Media

  • Media is plural for medium, means of communication.
  • Includes:
    • Books, films, songs, TV shows, video games, podcasts, newspapers, tweets, and more.
  • "The media" often refers to mass communication outlets.

Importance of Media Literacy

  • Media literacy: Navigating media is a crucial skill.
  • Defined by the National Association of Media Literacy Educators as the ability to Access, Analyze, Evaluate, Create, and Act using all forms of communication.

Reflecting on Media Consumption

  • Consider the type of content and how you accessed it.
  • Recognize creators' intentions and your role as a media creator.

Media Literacy Skills

  • Enable critical examination of media messages.
  • Empower decision-making regarding media consumption.

Media Messages vs. Media Effects

  • Media messages: Values and ideas in media.
  • Media effects: Influences and consequences on audiences.
  • Critique of simple input/output media models.

Stuart Hall's Encoding and Decoding Theory

  • Message encoding: Creator's use of symbols/meanings to convey a message.
  • Message decoding: Recipient interprets using personal knowledge and experience.
  • Rejects textual determinism; acknowledges complex interpretation.

Challenges in Media Interpretation

  • Miscommunication due to diverse interpretations.
  • Ongoing debate over media's impact on consumers.
  • Importance of media literacy amid "fake news" and social media influence.

Course Outline

  • First Half:
    • History of media literacy.
    • Finding trustworthy information sources.
    • Interaction between media and cognition.
    • Responsibilities in media creation.
  • Second Half:
    • Media regulation and economic impacts.
    • Examination of propaganda and misinformation.
    • Influence of advertising.
    • Impact of tech companies.
    • Future of media literacy.

Conclusion

  • Encouragement to spread media literacy skills.
  • Importance of collective understanding in media literacy.
  • Call to action: Share knowledge to help others.

Additional Information

  • Filmed at: Dr. Cheryl C. Kinney Studio in Missoula, MT.
  • Animation by Thought Cafe.
  • Production by Complexly.
  • Support through Patreon.

Full transcript