Class information
PHL197 Critical Thinking & Media
- CRN: 20533
- Credits: 4
- Locations, days, times, and instructors:
- Remote, MWMonday and Wednesday, from 11am to 12:50pm
From April 1 through June 12, 2024, Matt S Stockton
- Remote, MWMonday and Wednesday, from 11am to 12:50pm
Class materials
Textbooks
No textbooks required
Details about this class
What is Philosophy and why should you study it?
Instructor Message: This course is essential for understanding the underlying systemic relationships between us, others, and the media technology being used to influence the world we live in. As our lives have become more and more subsumed by media engagement, this class is an opportunity to pump the breaks and create the time and space necessary to better orient ourselves within this sensory storm. In doing so, my hope is that students will develop the necessary insight and self-discipline to use these technologies well instead of being primarily used by them. Class time will be spent "doing" philosophy with an emphasis on helping you better understand yourself, your existence, and navigating the possibilities ahead of you. I strive to build a classroom culture that is fun, respectful, and challenging; I hope you consider being a part of it. -m
PHL 197 Course Description:
Addresses the growing impact of electronic media on our perceptions of truth and reality. Emphasizes skills to critically deconstruct and analyze the embedded values, messages, and techniques of electronic media as a basis for empowering students to formulate meaningful responses.
PHL 197 Course Requirements:
ATTENDANCE & PARTICIPATION: 40%
VIEWING JOURNAL (3 Parts): 30%
MEDIA ANALYSIS ASSIGNMENT: 15%
BOOK REPORT ASSIGNMENT: 15%
NO EXAMS!!!
PHL 197 COURSE OUTLINE:
Week 1
THE MEDIA, REALITY, AND MEDIA LITERACY
Week 2
CENSORSHIP, EDITING AND THE FINAL PRODUCT
Week 3
ADVERTISING, MATERIALISM, AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF IDENTITY
Week 4
THE LURE OF ENTERTAINMENT
Week 5
THE BLURRED LINES BETWEEN JOURNALISM AND INFOTAINMENT
Week 6 & 7
POLITICS, PROPAGANDA, AND HISTORY
Week 8
EDUCATION AND CHILDREN’S PROGRAMMING
Week 9
THE REALITY OF REALITY TV
Week 10 & 11
THE MEDIA SINGULARITY AND HYPERREALITY
Technology
Course is offered synchronously via Zoom on Mondays and Wednesdays from 11:00-12:50 via zoom. Students will be expected to participate and engage in class discussions. Cameras are encouraged, but not required.
No show policy
Your instructor can mark you as a "no show" if you do not participate in your class during the first week. This will remove you from the class.
Students with disabilities
Students with disabilities should notify their instructor if accommodations are needed to take this class. For information about technologies that help people with disabilities taking Online based classes please visit the Disability Services website.