Competencies

 

Media Psychology competencies

 

The Media Psychology program currently has seven competencies. You can see all of them here. This course focuses on the following subset of those competencies:

 

I. Understanding, applying narrative structures
Competency: To demonstrate an understanding of commonly used narrative structures, particularly as they relate to media-based storytelling.

II. Constructing a scholarly argument
Competency: To demonstrate an understanding of how to organize and develop an academic argument that is connected to foundational research. 

IV. Understanding, applying scholarly writing
Competency: To demonstrate an understanding of the principles of scholarly writing, the nature of clear expression and the use of APA style.

V. Understanding, applying critical analysis
Competency: To demonstrate an understanding of the principles of critical thinking and analysis.

VI. Understanding, applying diversity
Competency: To demonstrate an understanding of alternative points of view, diverse world views and/or epistemologies.
 

Specific course competencies and objectives

Students will:

1. Explore the history of narrative media and apply their understanding to discussion, ePortfolio presentations, and considerations about the future of narrative media evolution.

2. Explore the evolution of media literacy as a response to narrative evolution, and apply their understanding to discussion, ePortfolio presentations, and considering the future of media literacy as a set of skills intended to help us understand how media impacts, distorts, enhances and/or modifies our understanding of the world.

3. Explore the major concepts involved in digital citizenship and living in a networked society, and apply these to their professional area of practice.

4. Explore a number of McLuhan's theories, in particular McLuhan's "Tetrad" and "Laws of Media," and apply these to technology assessment, and understanding current and future trends in technology evolution.

5. Explore and apply Ohler's theory and methodology for determining media and technological impact, both proactively and reactively, and apply this to existing and emerging technologies.

6. Explore and apply the theories of media literacy theorists, primarily Jenkins, Jolls, Potter and Hobbes and apply these to their professional practice through discussion and writing.

7. Explore advertising theory and consumer psychology, and and apply these to discussion, ePortfolio presentations, and a final project.