Media Studies Terms to know throughout the course…

Media An intervening means or agency used when we want to communicate with people indirectly Media does not offer a transparent window on the world but representations and images Selective versions of the world rather than direct (doesn’t show everything)

Medium The singular of media A means, or way of doing and/or communicating Ex. photography

Mass Media Refers collectively to all media technologies: Internet (including social media), television, newspapers, radio, etc. Used for mass communication

Totality of ideas, perspectives, attitudes, images and other phenomena that are preferred by mainstream culture Generally propped up by Western (our) culture Heavily influenced by mass media, this collection of ideas permeates the everyday lives of the society

The American Dream A successful and satisfying life It usually implies financial security and material comfort… but can also imply a dream of fame, exceeding social, ethnic, or class boundaries, or simply living a fulfilling life

Denotation vs Connotation Denotation = explicit or direct meaning Connotation = the associated or secondary meaning; something suggested or implied (created through our culture)

Target Audience The specific group in society for which a media product is designed, and to which a media product should appeal

Censorship The practice of suppressing a text or part of a text that is considered objectionable according to certain standards

Genre A category of media texts characterized by a particular style, form or content

Stereotypes A form of media representation by which instantly recognized characteristics are used to label members of social or cultural groups While often negative, stereotypes can contain an element of truth and are used by the media to establish an instant rapport with the audience

Marginalized Those perceived as lacking desirable traits or deviating from the group norms Tend to be excluded by wider society and ostracized as undesirables Minorities Women Poor

Representation The ways in which the media portrays particular groups, communities, experiences, ideas, or topics from a particular ideological or value perspective

Left & Right Opposing sides of the political spectrum Left = Socialism (in Canada) = Democratic Party (in US) Right = Conservative (in Canada) = Republicans (in US) Liberal party - central?