Pushing Past Perceptions: Using Critical Media Literacy to Analyze Media Texts

• In Event: Media, Culture, and Learning SIG Top Paper Session

Abstract

In an era of increasing hostility towards the Islamic faith, especially across various forms of media that portray Muslims as a homogenous group prone to violence, this study examines a sequence of lessons in a high school multicultural studies class which sought to address sources of fear and ignorance about Muslims. Using Mihailidis’s 5A’s of Media Literacy for the Emerging Citizen, I asked: How does a teacher in a multicultural studies class support his students’ use of critical media literacy skills to analyze media texts about Muslims? My findings revealed that the teacher use of questions supported students to critically analyze media, especially regarding notions of access, awareness, and assessment of texts.

Author

• Matthew R Deroo, University of Miami