The Politics of Media Literacy

When I read Chapter 1 of Beach, I couldn't help but come back to the reality that many of these concerns are political. I'm fairly certain that an administrator who is concerned about students watching films is hardly going to be persuaded to allow students to study media literacy on the grounds that students need the opportunity to examine "how media constructions or representations reflect ideological agendas (Beach, 5)." It seems to me that the All-American, homogeneous facade is just what such critics are trying to maintain.

In addition, Beach's comments that there is no meaning within the texts themselves, but only "in how audiences construct the meaning of media texts within specific social constructs." reeks of deconstructionist literary theory, which makes his theories on teaching media literacy overtly political. Although it might be helpful to look at different forms of media from a deconstructionist point of view, I also feel we should consider more conservative and diversified approaches to critical theories of media literacy. Moving media studies from practical to political is just one source of concern surrounding this conflict.

On the other hand, upon reading the first chapter of Teachingmedialiteracy.com, I am sure I will be more prepared to answer questions regarding my use of media in the classroom. I will both be able to justify to those who might complain, as well as explain to those who might be more interested in the opportunities these new resources will afford us.

As I stated before, I feel the argument for a greater focus on media literacy in the classroom will be a difficult one to make, mostly for political reasons. Although I am ready to accept the social and political influences of the media, many parents may feel it is inappropriate for the classroom environment. (And that is merely one aspect of the debate.) It seems that we, as educators, must prepare ourselves to negotiate and communicate in an open atmosphere. It did really make sense that this isn't an "either/or" concept.

Now, how successful I will be at communicating the benefits of media studies in the classroom is an entirely different issue. Here's what I came up with: