HT-500 Growing Up in a Media World
Joseph Blatt
Most children spend more than 40 hours every week in front of screens - almost twice the time they spend in school. This course examines the pervasive role of media - television, movies, music, Web sites and online social networks, games and other software - in educating and socializing children and their families. We explore the range of content available to young people; document the developing child's patterns of use and understanding of media; examine theories and methods for assessing media effects; review research on the role of media in shaping individual identity and response to social issues; and analyze public policies that affect content providers, consumers, and citizens. Class activities include lectures, group discussions, demonstrations by guest experts, student presentations, and viewing of media programs and pilots. Section meetings take place during the scheduled class time on Thursday. Students carry out two structured research assignments, conducting a content analysis and an interview, and have significant freedom in choosing a final paper topic. Final papers take the form of a review of the literature with students' own interpretations, original research, policy recommendations, or proposals for new media programming.
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