MEDIA LITERACY

Pay conscious attention to the way media presents women and men.

Define stereotype and identify stereotypes frequently seen in mainstream media.

Understand that when stereotypes are repeated over and over, individuals begin to accept them as normal or real.

Think about the ways stereotypes of femininity or masculinity limit girls and boys.

Learn how media shapes individual beliefs and cultural norms.

Pay conscious attention to media consumption.

********

Define concepts such as representation, social construction, and objectification.

 Recognize gender stereotypes and think about their effects.

Identify positive and empowering representations of women in the media.

Women and Leadership

Expand ideas of leadership to include women.

 WOMEN AND LEADERSHIP

Learn the facts about how women are under-represented in the political and business sectors.

 Identify ways in which women leaders are treated differently in media.

Understand the ways negative treatment in the media can affect a woman’s ability to see herself as a leader and to obtain leadership positions.

 Expand ideas of leadership to include all types of women.

********

Make the connection between media objectification and the low numbers of women in influential leadership positions.

Recognize media bias and understand how it undermines women’s leadership.

Define democracy and think about how disparities in women’s leadership undermine U.S. democracy.

Learn about important events from the women’s movement and practice teaching others about women’s history.

 BEHIND THE SCENES

Define diversity.

Recognize that there is a lack of diversity behind the scenes of mainstream media and advertising.

Understand how multiple perspectives can change a story.

*********

Define diversity and think about the ways in which more diversity behind the scenes might change how women and girls are represented in media and advertising.

Understand that what we see in the media is influenced by political and economic decisions.

Comprehend that changes in the media and advertising industry have given companies more power in determining what we see and hear.

Reflect on the dangerous effects of solely profit-driven media and advertising industries, the impact they have on our culture, and the news/information we are given access to.

Identify ways in which individuals can influence positive change in the media, news, and advertising industries.