Pauline Center for Media Studies

Master Teacher in Media Literacy Education Certificate Program
and
Specialization in Media Literacy Education Certificate Program

The 3rd Saturday of each month
10:00am – 4:00pm
September 2008 – June 2009
LOCATION
All classes are held at:
Pauline Center for Media Studies
3908 Sepulveda Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90230
(b/w Venice Blvd & Washington)
(The first class is on Saturday, September 20, 2008,
after that, the 3rd Saturday of each month.)
CALENDAR
The certificate is recognized by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Department of Catholic Schools and the Department of Religious Education for continuing education and recertification
The Diocese of Orange recognizes the Certificate for r e-certification of the Basic Catechist Certificate and fifty-one hours towards the sixty hours required in advanced methodology for the Master Catechist Certificate.
The Diocese of San Diego recognizes the Media Literacy Course as a Catechist Specialization
The aim of the Master Teacher Program in Media Literacy Education is to “train the trainers” to teach others media literacy skills for home, school, and the parish through various ministries. The Master Teacher Certificate Program consists in two courses:

Media Literacy Education I - Introduction to Media Literacy (also called Media Mindfulness) – 36 hours plus viewing program and assessment project and
Media Literacy Education II -Explorations into Learning, Theory, and Practice – 15 hours plus viewing program and assessment project.

The completion of both courses within two years is required for the Certificate of Master Teacher in Media Literacy Education.

SYLLABI Media Literacy Education I:
Introduction to Media Literacy
(September 2008– March 2009)

Media Literacy or Media Mindfulness Education develops an understanding of the power of media and how they influence our lives. This course will introduce you to the basic theory and practice of media literacy:

You’ll learn how to develop critical thinking through analysis of media messages – both print and electronic.
You’ll be introduced to the key questions and core concepts of media literacy, a strategy for media mindfulness, and a wide variety of media literacy resources.
You’ll learn practical media literacy exercises and basic skills for low-cost media productions.
You’ll draw up a practical plan for integrating media literacy into your school curriculum or parish religious education program.

A home or group viewing program is to be completed and personal assessment presentation project submitted by March 30 for credit.

Pre-requisite: catechetical certification or equivalent

COURSE GOALS:

To explore the relationship between communication, media, and culture
To understand visual and electronic information and entertainment media and their influence on our beliefs, values, and lifestyle
To expand critical thinking skills in relation to all forms of media, including print and electronic media messages, from cinema to the Internet
To introduce students to a wide range of media education resources
To develop the skills necessary and to design a media literacy program for the student’s own constituency (preferably other teachers and or parents).

LEARNING OUTCOMES: At the end of this session, students will be able to

recognize the influence of entertainment and information media on children, teens, parents, and society
explain the key questions and core concepts of media literacy
provide a rationale for integrating media literacy across the curriculum (catechetical and/or general instruction)
learn and apply the strategy for media mindfulness
recognize, value, appreciate the language of media in a range of formats including both print and electronic media and be able to apply the language to creative projects
evaluate and critically analyze the form and content of advertising production and audience response as well as the function of advertising in the economy
assess popular culture and how it functions in society
develop ways to teach media mindfulness using low cost techniques
understand the role of media to influence attitudes and behavior
grasp how media representations of the human person (race, gender, age, social status, religion) influence and shape culture
articulate a rationale for media literacy/media mindfulness that reflects the student’s ownership of these skills for 21 st century living and believing
understand how to use various forms of media production to teach media literacy/media mindfulness
outline a plan for integrating media literacy into the courses they are currently teaching
create a presentation (with follow-up) to introduce other teachers to media literacy/media mindfulness

COURSE TOPICS:

Our Media World
Communication, Culture, and Media
History of Media
The Church (focus on Vatican documents and the National Directory for Catechesis) and the Media
Key Questions and Core Concepts of Media Literacy
Media Mindfulness: Media Literacy and Faith Formation including Whole Community Catechesis
Race, Gender, Social Class, Age, Religion Representations in Media (Stereotypes)
Deconstructing Media Messages: Advertising, Newspapers,
How to Read a Film
A New Look at Primetime TV and the Nightly News
Radio: Talking Heads, Music, “Culture”
Media Production: Hands-on Application of the Principles of Media Literacy (students will be invited to bring their own cameras for photographs or video)
Techniques for Teaching Media Literacy
Resources for Media Literacy
Integrating Media Literacy into Current Courses
Training More Trainers and Parents

“Media mindfulness—that is media literacy education within the context of faith formation— is an integral part of the Church’s reflection and teaching about pastoral communication, mass communication and society because the media makers of tomorrow are in our living rooms, class rooms, and pews today.”
--Sister Rose Pacatte, Director, PCMS

TEACHING METHODS: Instruction is highly interactive and concepts are illustrated by use of visual and audio clips, as well as hands-on experience. Interactive technology is also used. Group analysis of media, as well as opportunities to work in small groups to create strategies and hone skills will be provided. Field trips to a film studio, editing suite, or other media facility may be included.

STUDENT MUST COMPLETE ALL STUDENT EVALUATION CRITERIA FOR SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MASTER TEACHER CERTIFICATE

Attendance at all classes
Participation in class dialogue, conversation, and activities
Demonstrate the integration and application of class material and activities to the individual’s current teaching responsibilities (PowerPoint or other electronic presentation); presentation to the class in June
Maintain a media diary throughout the course; bring to class each week (journal provided)
Take photos for assignment; camera provided; due April 18, 2009
Completion of screening program by the final class in June; DVD’s can be borrowed from the PCMS library; TV show of student’s choice
A 3-5 page paper that applies the Key Questions and Core Concepts of Media Literacy to a current film or prime time television series due by March 21, 2009.

REQUIRED TEXTS:

Media Mindfulness: Education Teens about Media and Faith , St. Mary’s Press, Winona, MN (provided)
Exercises in Media Education , Second Edition, Peter Gonsalves, SDB, 1995 (provided)
Dawn of a New Era ( Aetatis Novae ), Pauline Books & Media (provided)
Course booklet with readings (provided)Media, Boston (provided)
National Directory for Catechesis (2005): sections on media; (not provided)

Media Literacy Education II:
Explorations into Learning, Theory, and Practice
(April – June 2009)

Course Description:
This course will use education as its point of departure. You’ll examine five main areas as we continue to explore communication and the media world in the context of our faith:

You’ll explore how children and adult learn about media and the elements that contribute to our attitudes about information and entertainment media;
You’ll study/review/compare educational philosophy and theory;
You’ll deepen the content of media literacy education/media mindfulness and its pedagogy and praxis;
You’ll discover the teaching of the Church about media literacy/media mindfulness and see the connection with Catholic social teaching, culture, media and communications;
You’ll learn about and experience the emerging fields of theology and spirituality of communication.

A home or group viewing program is to be completed and personal assessment presentation project submitted by June 30 for credit.

Pre-requisite: Media Literacy Education I

COURSE GOALS:

To consider how children, adolescents and adults learn from the media and how adults “think” children learn from the media and how we form our attitudes about information and entertainment media (popular culture)
To survey educational philosophy and theory, and the Catholic philosophy of education in order to provide serving teachers and catechists with a rationale for incorporating media literacy into and across the curriculum;
To examine the content of media literacy and media studies within a communications framework and how to integrate media literacy education into and across the curriculum
To explore media literacy education pedagogy (teaching styles and methods) and praxis (skills) in order to further develop or design existing media literacy programs or projects that students will bring with them
To identify the interface between the Church and communication, communication theology and spirituality and media literacy education.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: At the end of the session, students will be able to

Understand some dimensions of how we learn from information and entertainment media and how and why we form attitudes about them
Articulate the theory and practice of media literacy that integrates a Catholic philosophy of education
Further develop and apply critical thinking skills in relation to a variety of media forms (print, film, television, music, advertising, popular culture, Internet), messages and institutions
Examine and incorporate media literacy pedagogy and praxis in and across the curriculum, with a focus on religious education
Understand media literacy as content, process, pedagogy and praxis within the context of communication
Recognize, value, appreciate and apply contemporary Church teaching and literature about media, media literacy, culture and the theology and spirituality of communication
Evaluate, upgrade or design a media literacy project, program or syllabus, to train teachers and parents

COURSE TOPICS

The Media World: How We Learn from It and Form Attitudes about It
Who Moved My House Hippo? Reviewing the "Basics"
Media Literacy Forum, Part I: Students present their current media literacy syllabi, programs or projects
What is Education For? A Rationale for Media Literacy Education
From F.R. Leavis to Aetatis Novae: A History of Media Literacy Education
Teachers, Teaching and the Taught: How Media Literacy and Theories of Education Interface

Communication Studies, Media Studies and Cultural Studies
Media Literacy Pedagogy and Praxis

Cinema Paradiso? The Church, Culture and Communications
Media Literacy in Faith Communities: Kindergarten to Adult Faith Formation
A Course or Across? Media Literacy within or across the curriculum
Emerging Trends: Theology and Spirituality of Communication
Students analyze their needs, evaluate their current media literacy plans and practices, programs or projects and revise or create new applications and strategies
Understanding by Design: How to prepare a seminar
Students present their projects and exchange in kind
Media Literacy for the 21 st Century: Resources and Future Prospects

“The convergence of media and technology in a global culture is changing the way we learn about the world and challenging the very foundations of education. No longer is it enough to be able to read the printed word; Children, youth, and adults, too, need the ability to both critically interpret the powerful images of a multimedia culture and express themselves in multiple media forms. Media Literacy Education provides a framework and pedagogy for the new literacy needed for living, working and citizenship in the 21st century. Moreover it paves the way to mastering the skills required for lifelong learning in a constantly changing world.”
- Media Literacy: A National Priority in a Changing World by Elizabeth Thoman & Tessa Jolls (www.medialit.org)

TEACHING METHODS : Because teacher and students are co-learners, the methodology is highly interactive. Media in the forms of television and film clips, print, and some music will be used to present and reinforce CONTENT. Students will be encouraged to work in small groups to analyze, evaluate, and upgrade their existing media literacy applications. Field trips to a film studio, television studio, or other media facility may be included.

STUDENT MUST COMPLETE ALL STUDENT EVALUATION CRITERIA (BOTH COURSES) FOR SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MASTER TEACHER CERTIFICATE

Attendance at all classes
Participation in class dialogue, conversation, and activities
Complete Required Reading
Maintain a media diary throughout the course
A Final Project to demonstrate the application of class material and activities to the teaching and training of teachers and parents in media literacy/media mindfulness; presentation to the class
Completion of screening program and final project by due date
A 3-5 page paper applying media mindfulness strategy to a current film, prime time television series, or a genre of contemporary music

INSTRUCTOR BIOS:

Rose Pacatte, FSP , MA in Education in Media Studies from the Institute of Education, University of London, and Certificate in Pastoral Communications ( University of Dayton) – Sister Rose is the director of the Pauline Center for Media Studies (www.PaulineCMS.org) and developed and has taught the syllabus for the Master Teacher in Media Literacy Program since 2006. She has also written curricula and is a facilitator for the University of Dayton’s online Virtual Learning Community (http://vlc.udayton.edu). She is an award-winning author and columnist for St. Anthony Messenger. With Gretchen Hailer, RSHM, Rose is the co-author of Media Mindfulness: Educating Teens about Faith and Media (www.smp.org).

Gretchen Hailer, RSHM , MA in Religious Education, University of San Francisco, Master Catechist, California Catholic Conference and is a credentialed California educator for elementary, secondary and college levels - Sister Gretchen has been a leader in media literacy education for over thirty years and is a faith formation specialist and spiritual director. She is an author and served as vice president of Multimedia International in Rome. She has presented at religious education conferences in more than eighty dioceses. With Rose Pacatte, FSP, Gretchen is the co-author of Media Mindfulness: Educating Teens about Faith and Media (www.smp.org). Gretchen also serves on the board of the Pauline Center for Media Studies.

Nick Pernisco – Nick Pernisco teaches communications and broadcasting classes at Santa Monica College, and media production classes at California State University, Northridge. He has a Bachelors degree in Radio-TV-Film production from California State University, Northridge, and a Masters degree in Mass Communications from the same university. He has produced numerous documentary films about media literacy education, and he is the founder and editor-in-chief of UnderstandMedia.com, a site with original articles, resources, lesson plans, podcasts, videos, and blogs for teachers, parents, students, and anyone interested in better understanding media.

Scott Young - Rev. Scott Young is the co-founder of the City of Angels Film Festival. He served on the ecumenical jury at the 1996 Berlin International Film Festival and was co-director of Reel Spirituality, 1999. He is the director of Faculty Relations for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship in the Southern California region. Scott is the director of “The Soul of Los Angeles” photographic exhibit. He is adjunct faculty at Fuller Theological Seminary, Art Center: College of Design, and Biola University.

Others TBA

CALENDAR

(The first class is on Saturday, September 20, 2008,
after that, the 3rd Saturday of each month.)

September 20, 2008
October 18, 2008
November 15, 2008
December 20, 2008
January 17, 2009
February 21, 2009
March 21, 2009
April 18, 2009
May 16, 2009
June 20, 2009