Ithaca College

This fall Culture and Communication will be offering a Special Topics in Media Literacy: Media Construction of Peace and War. The course meets Tuesdays, 4:00-6:50 p.m.

OBJECTIVES: This course (CLTC 23001-100 I G H LA) will use the principles and practices of media literacy to examine the ways in which wars and related anti-war movements have been constructed in the mass media, and how those media messages influenced popular perceptions of those wars, of anti-war movements, and of the concepts of war and peace in general.

Students will develop critical decoding skills and practice critical reading and analysis of historical media documents. A wide range of wars fought in and by the U.S. will be explored, including the Mexican War, Civil War, World Wars I and II, the Vietnam War, and the War in Iraq. 

STUDENTS:  Students from any major are welcome, although the course will be particularly relevant to students interested in history, politics, and media analysis.

FORMAT AND STYLE: There will be weekly guest lectures by the authors of Project Look Sharp’s curriculum kits Media Construction of War, Media Construction of the Middle East and Media Construction of Peace.  Emphasis will be on interactive discussion (both in class and through an online discussion board), extensive writing, and small group multi-media project/presentations, so active participation and involvement is essential.

Prerequisitese: Sophomore standing or above. Questions? Contact Professor Scheibe (scheibe@ithaca.edu or 274-1324).