Human Development and Media Studies

Catalog description

Formal schooling isn’t the only source of education and socialization made available to the nation's young people. They learn not only from the adults in their lives, but the books, movies, shows, songs which they are exposed to. This course gives particular attention to the effect of storytelling as well as Matters of Representation that inform the child about the world, through concept development and ultimately about their place and/or potential in the world as we unpack Sociocultural Development using theories Self-Efficacy, Possible-Selves/Possibility Development. From Sesame Street to Gracie, Scholastic, Lee&Low as well as Tor Publications to news alert algorithms, TikTok #LifePurpose and similar hashtag trends the influence of media on learning and development is unmistakable. In this course, we explore the contact zones Social Literacy and Human Development to gain insight on these immersive tools to affect best outcomes for developing peoples.