This second edition provides new concepts and insights into media literacy and updates previous examples and discussions. As with the first edition, Part One provides a theoretical framework for the critical analysis of media text. Part Two invites students to apply the methodological framework to a variety of media formats. In addition to the formats included in the first edition--journalism, advertising and American political communications--this section includes a new chapter of interactive media. Part Three considers issues in media communication, such as violence in the media, media and children, media and social change and global communications.

Ideal for college courses focusing on the topic of media literacy, this text can also be adopted as the primary text in several media-related courses, such as media criticism, media research, Introduction to Mass Communications, Media and Society, media seminars, and education courses in communications, langauge arts, or social studies.