COMM 305Introduction to Critical Studies of Media

3 credits · Communications · Penn State

The course will acquaint students with the key terms, concepts and research areas of critical media studies (e.g. key terms/concepts and topic areas) and prepare them more effectively for advanced material in media studies. The course will also integrate practical insights into professional opportunities for the media studies major concentrations as well as future careers in media industries and media research (including jobs for the public sector, private industry, and academia). In addition, by presenting a critical perspective on the cultural forces represented by media in a global context, students develop media literacy skills to better evaluate their own use of media and the political and social consequences of the modern media industry. The course provides an overview of a diverse set of domains in the study of media throughout the world as well as the underlying principles that drive research in these areas and the skills necessary to both understand and evaluate such research. Perspectives summarized include critical theory, cultural studies, and political economy approaches.