The aim of the course is to develop a critical perspective toward the cultural representations of media texts across different platforms and contexts. Media texts do not simply reflect reality; they actively shape cultural meanings, values, and identities. The ways in which individuals, groups, and events are represented or left out, reveal deeper dynamics of power, ideology, and social inequality.
In media studies, representations of gender, race, class, nation, and other social categories are not neutral but constructed within specific cultural, historical, and political frameworks. For example, the portrayal of masculinity in advertising, the framing of migration in news discourse, or the visibility of marginalized groups on social media all point to broader cultural struggles. Media texts simultaneously reproduce dominant ideologies and open spaces for resistance and counter-narratives.
Course Structure
The course is divided into three parts:
Theoretical Foundations
We will focus on key debates in media and cultural theory, including representation, discourse, ideology, framing, post-structuralism, and visuality. These discussions will provide conceptual tools for analyzing media texts. Applications and Case Studies
Building on the theoretical frameworks, we will examine how media texts represent issues such as gender, race, nationalism, populism, and digital cultures. Examples will be drawn from film, news, advertising, and social media. Contemporary Directions
In the final part, we will discuss emerging themes such as platformization, algorithmic visibility, surveillance aesthetics, and post-truth media. These topics will help us assess the cultural and political implications of media in the 21st century.
Pedagogy
The course will be taught in an interactive seminar format. Students are expected to engage with readings, actively participate in discussions, and carry out critical analyses of media texts using the theoretical perspectives introduced in class.
P.S: You can freely use A.I. technologies for creating your essay and your presentations but remember to mention how you used them!