Facilitate a critical analysis of the mass media, in terms of the modes in which it reproduces the dominant power relations in society, be they of gender, class, race or any other.
• Work towards alternative, participatory uses of the media, with specific reference to campaigns.
• Facilitate the acquisition of media skills to visual design, street theatre and other low-cost participatory media.
• Allow for the practical application of these media skills through the process of designing and conducting a campaign.
Alternative media and campaigns: Approaches to media and Society
• Transmission and Semiological models; Using Semiology for critical media analysis of artifacts such as TV commercials, films, pring advertisements, comic strips and newspapers.
• Presentation of Campaign Design (Group Presentation by Students
Rethinking Communication
• Communication as Transmission?
• Communication as Representation
• Communication as Cultural Reproduction
Representing Gender: Television Commercials, Print Advertisements, Feature Films, Representing Race : ‘US’ and ‘Them’, Comic Strips.
The Everyday experience of colour. Representing ‘Real’ Events : The Press and Framing of Events, Documenting Reality.
Rethinking the ‘Impact’ of Media:
The Debate on the ‘Effects’ of Violence
The limitations of Censorhsip
Towards Critical Viewing
Skills Development:
Visual Design: Introduction to Elements of Design layout and typography, use of colour and shape; designing effective posters and logos for campaign.
Street Theatre Workshop
Use of songs, folklore and puppets
(Note – In these workshops, the student groups for the campaigns work out the elements of their campaign).