Essential but Problematic: Faculty Perceptions of Media Literacy Education at the University Level

Abstract

In this study the author considers the perceptions of university faculty members regarding media literacy education at the university level. Data from faculty interviews (N = 16) suggest that faculty members across multiple disciplines feel that it is important for university students to develop media literacy competencies. Nevertheless, faculty members fell into three categories regarding the extent to which they address media literacy: willing, unwilling because of systemic factors, and unwilling because of personal factors. An exploration of these categories demonstrates the challenges associated with addressing media literacy competencies within higher education.

Keywords:

• Media Education
• Media Literacy
• Higher Education

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Hans C. Schmidt

Hans C. Schmidt, (PhD, Temple University, 2010) is an assistant professor of communications at Pennsylvania State University—Brandywine, 25 Yearsley Mill Road, Media, PA 19063.