Lesson 1: Introduction to Communication and Media

Vocabulary terms and definitions from the introductory lecture on media, its societal impact, ownership, and theoretical frameworks.

Media

Tools for communicating with large audiences, such as TV, radio, newspapers, the internet, and social media, used to share news, stories, and culture.

Mass Media

A category encompassing TV, radio, newspapers, films, and the internet designed to reach broad audiences.

Mass Communication

The process of disseminating news, entertainment, education, and ads to influence public opinion and connect societies.

Media Conglomeration

A phenomenon where a few large corporations dominate various media platforms, including TV channels, newspapers, websites, and streaming services.

Hypodermic Needle Theory

A theory suggesting media messages are directly "injected" into passive audiences, assuming they are easily influenced.

Cultivation Theory

The theory that long-term media exposure shapes a person's perception of reality, such as heavy TV viewers seeing the world as more dangerous.

Representation

The portrayal of people and groups in media, which can reflect or distort reality and often includes stereotypes regarding race, gender, religion, and class.

Citizen Journalism

The practice of everyday people using online platforms and viral hashtags to rapidly disseminate social messages and empower activism.

Media Literacy

The ability to critically analyze media by questioning sources, identifying bias, and verifying facts to determine reliability.

Algorithms

Computational processes in modern media that determine which content is accessible to users.

Virtual Reality

A developing technology that provides new, immersive media experiences.

Modern Communication

Instant, global communication available $24/7$ via social media, allowing anyone to share messages at any time.