Media Literacy: A Central Component of Democratic Citizenship

Abstract

Educators from Europe, Latin America, and the United States convened to explore issues inherent in democratic citizenship. Media literacy, a central component of democratic citizenship, was studied in depth. Data from the camp were examined for evidence of the participants' understandings of media literacy and how it might be taught. Results revealed that the camp participants developed a deeper understanding of media literacy, the importance of its teaching, and ways to teach it.

Susie Burroughs is an Associate Professor of Education at Mississippi State University. She teaches secondary education and foundations courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Her primary research interests include social studies education, civic education, and teacher professional development.

Kay Brocato is an Associate Professor of Foundations and Leadership in the College of Education at Mississippi State University. She researches and teaches in her teacher education courses ways to bridge out-of-school literacies with school-based literacies.

Peggy F. Hopper is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at Mississippi State University in Secondary English Education. Areas of research interest include international studies, content area reading, and teacher quality.

Angela Sanders is a high school Social Studies teacher with 20 years of service in the classroom. She teaches courses in American and Comparative Government and is a National Board Certified Teacher and a James Madison Fellow.