NCJ Number
174239
Date Published
1998
Length
366 pages
Annotation
This 12-session media literacy/life skills program focuses on violence, substance abuse and prejudice.
Abstract
The program was designed to help participants think critically about television, to question the behaviors of individuals who enter their homes through the media, particularly behaviors that involve violence, substance abuse and prejudice. The program uses the media as well as innovative activities to teach high risk youth how to rethink media messages and apply these critical thinking skills to their own lives. Adolescents are taught how to deconstruct segments in movies and television that glorify violence, substance abuse and prejudice, and then reconstruct these scenes, as well as experiences in their own lives, through in-depth and focused discussions. The kit includes a workbook for participantsþ use; a video showing examples of the media products under examination by the group, including advertisersþ techniques to encourage viewers to buy or use products, and comments on the legal consequences of the risky behavior that the program seeks to discourage; and a facilitatorþs guide to help direct the groupþs activities and discussions.