Wiley-Blackwell Media Literacies: A Critical Introduction

Media Literacies: A Critical Introduction traces the history of media literacy and grapples with the fresh challenges posed by the convergent media of the 21st century.  The book provides a much-needed guide to what it means to be literate in today’s media-saturated environment. Updates traditional models of media literacy by examining how digital media is utilized in today’s convergent cultureExplores the history and emergence of media education, the digitally mediated lives of today’s youth, digital literacy, and critical citizenshipComplete with sidebar commentary written by leading media researchers and educators spotlighting new research in the field and an annotated bibliography of key texts and resources Review “That being the case, the authors’ primary recommendation is for media literacy to assume an increased role in school curricula worldwide. As Hoechsmann and Poyntz demonstrate, media practice is sufficiently academic and promotes critical citizenship, agency and empowerment – qualities that all teachers are sure to agree are highly laudable educational outcomes.”  (Pedagogies: An International Journal, 24 May 2012)  Review “A terrific resource filled with fresh ideas linking media literacy to political economy, public pedagogy, critical citizenship, and, of course, “youth voice.” The text is expansive and deep—just what we need during these times of perpetual digital change.” -- Elisabeth Soep, Senior Producer & Research Director of Youth Radio “A lively, wide-ranging, and educationally helpful discussion of media literacies. It provides valuable insights into key issues involved in becoming media literate citizens in the early 21st century." – Colin Lankshear, James Cook University and McGill University From the Inside Flap Whether we like it or not, communication technologies - ever smaller, more convergent, and more comprehensive - are tightly woven into the cultural fabric of our everyday lives. How did we get here? And what exactly does it mean to be 'literate' in this new media era? Media Literacies: A Critical Introduction traces the history of media literacy and grapples with the fresh challenges posed by the convergent media of the twenty-first century. The book explores the history and emergence of media education, contemporary youth and its digitally mediated lives, digital literacy, and critical citizenship. Sidebar commentary written by leading media researchers and educators spotlights specific issues and media phenomena. Media Literacies provides students and educators alike with an invaluable theoretical and practical approach to understanding media literacy in the remarkable digital age we find ourselves in. From the Back Cover Whether we like it or not, communication technologies - ever smaller, more convergent, and more comprehensive - are tightly woven into the cultural fabric of our everyday lives. How did we get here? And what exactly does it mean to be 'literate' in this new media era? Media Literacies: A Critical Introduction traces the history of media literacy and grapples with the fresh challenges posed by the convergent media of the twenty-first century. The book explores the history and emergence of media education, contemporary youth and its digitally mediated lives, digital literacy, and critical citizenship. Sidebar commentary written by leading media researchers and educators spotlights specific issues and media phenomena. Media Literacies provides students and educators alike with an invaluable theoretical and practical approach to understanding media literacy in the remarkable digital age we find ourselves in. About the Author Michael Hoechsmann is Associate Professor and Chair of Education Programs at Lakehead University, Orillia. He is co-author of Reading Youth Writing: ‘New' Literacies, Cultural Studies and Education (2008), and the former Director of Education of Young People's Press, a youth-orien