Carolina Maria de Jesus and Media Literacy Elise Dietrich Tulane University

First media image of Carolina, 1958 (Folha da Noite, São Paulo)

Representations of otherness in the media Representations of otherness in the media Livros velhos achados no lixo são a leitura de Carolina Maria de Jesus. Tudo serve para ela: revista, almanaques, dicionários. Entre os seus livros há uma Bíblia.

Carolina in the Brazilian black press Revista Niger: publicação a serviço da comunidade negra, June 1960

Carolina in the 1970s: “Vítima ou louca?” As idéias, os queixos, a cabeça deliriante continuam quase os mesmos (The ideas, the complaints, the delirious mind continue practically the same)

Why is it important to look at the media in the classroom?

What is media literacy? Skills that allow people to analyze, evaluate, and create messages in a variety of forms Teaching WITH media vs. teaching ABOUT media

Why is media literacy important? Develops students’ critical and creative abilities Encourages people to ask questions about what they watch, hear, and read Expands the concept of literacy Mass media, pop culture, and digital media are new “texts” that require evaluation and analysis Promotes active & critical consumption of the media Greater awareness of misrepresentations and stereotypes

Key concepts in Media Literacy Production Language Representation Audience

Production Which technologies are used? Who makes media texts? Who owns media companies, and how do they make a profit? How do media texts reach their audiences? Whose voices are heard, and whose are excluded?

Language How does media use different forms of language to convey ideas and meanings? How are the ‘rules’ of media established, and what happens when they are broken? How is meaning conveyed through combinations and sequences of images/words/sounds?

Representation Is the text supposed to be realistic? What is included and what is excluded? Stereotyping: how does the media represent particular social groups? Are the representations accurate? Do these representations affect our views of these groups?

Audience How is media aimed at particular audiences? What different ways do individuals use, interpret, and, and respond to media? How do audieces use media in their daily lives? Habits, patterns of use?