Television programming has a huge impact on the lives of children. This lesson focuses on the stereotypical and racial messages that are portrayed through television programming with a focus on situational comedies. During the four 45-minute lessons, grade 6-8 students will: analyze portrayals of different groups of people in the media;…

This issue of "Media & Values" provides essays and teaching ideas for addressing the influence of television in society. Articles in this issue include: (1) "Wrestling with Television" (Elizabeth Thoman); (2) "Comics and Culture" (Rosalind Silver); (3) "Society's Storyteller" (George Gerbner); (4) "Five Important Ideas to Teach Your Kids about TV"…

This guide consists of four units that explore how media are transforming politics in the United States and how citizens can become more analytical of media messages to participate more fully in democracy. Each session is complete with procedural instructions, handouts, and is tied to readings pertinent to the topic. The Awareness and Analysis…

Summarizes a wealth of evidence establishing a causal relationship between television viewing and violence. Outlines a series of corrective measures available within the fields of media literacy, public policy, and education. Briefly discusses related issues such as government versus self-regulation, and First Amendment protections. (MJP)

Uses the television program "Roseanne" as a teaching aid to analyze societal institutions and their effects on everyday life experiences. Examines attitudes and opinions of 31 White midwestern college students, ages 18 to late 50s, regarding the program. Shows students feel the series critiques patriarchy and affirms women's lives. (NL)

This booklet provides a toolbox of practical resources to help in developing media literacy skills to reduce the amount of media violence people are exposed to in their homes and communities. This overview accompanies a series designed for different age groups and grade levels. The leader's guide provides strategies for increasing contact with the…

This guide describes "Just Images" a series of television programs and exhibitions that offers a public forum for analyzing television's influential portrayals of trials, lawyers, and the legal system. Contending that television portrayals of high-profile trials has altered the public's perception of law and the role of lawyers in the…

This issue on gender and the media contains the following (1) "Home, Home on the Remote"; (2) "Dads Through the Decades" (Mark Crispin Miller); (3) "The New Man: That's Entertainment!" (John Lehrer); (4) "Singing Men's Songs" (Kerry Skorlich); (5) "Media Myths and Men's Work" (Ian Harris); (6) "Why Are There No Asian Male Anchors?" (Ben…

Provides background information and learning activities for six areas of inquiry concerning media literacy and violence. These are (1) "Monitoring 'Action' in TV Cartoons"; (2) "To Market, To Market (Share)"; (3) "What's 'Educational' Anyway"; (4) "Rating the TV Rating System"; (5) "Nine Risks of TV Violence"; and (6) "Teenagers in the News." (MJP)

This issue of "Media & Values" provides essays and teaching ideas for addressing the influence of the media in society and the growing incidence of addiction. Articles in this issue include: (1) "Culture of Addiction" (Rosalind Silver); (2) "Crack and the Box" (Pete Hamill); (3) "When It Comes to Drugs, Beware the Censor's Fix" (David Musto); (4)…

This sourcebook provides background materials and teaching suggestions for Catholic Church educators implementing a media literacy program. The six chapters are: Chapter 1, "Why Media Literacy?," recognizes the Catholic Church's challenge and a call for critical consciousness. Chapter 2, "The Four Principles of Media Literacy," is subdivided into:…

This teacher's guide provides an approach for teachers of grades 6-8 to teach media literacy and promote an informed public conversation about the impact of violent imagery in the culture today. Five key goals govern the program: (1) to reduce exposure to media violence; (2) to change the impact of violent images that are seen; (3) to locate and…