JTC 100 Media in Society

Overview of Course

This course explores how contemporary media shape, and are shaped by, politics, culture, technology, and everyday life. We begin with the historical evolution of print, broadcast, and digital platforms, then move to theories of media effects and audience reception. Students examine the political economy of media conglomerates, the algorithmic logic of social networks, and the ways media construct race, gender, and identity. We will analyze case studies ranging from streaming wars to viral TikTok trends to train you to decode messages, trace hidden power structures, and evaluate sources for credibility.