1 June 12, 2018
Articles and Statements
1. Olga Gorbatkova, Anastasia Levitskaya
Hermeneutical Analysis of the Film Dead Poets Society
International Journal of Media and Information Literacy, 2018, 3(1): 3-10.
Number of views: 887 Download in PDF
2. William Ko-Wai TangInternational Journal of Media and Information Literacy, 2018, 3(1): 3-10.
Abstract:
The article is devoted to hermeneutical analysis of the film Dead Poets Society (1989, directed by Peter Weir). Reviews of Russian and foreign film critics are included into the analysys. The author presents the historical, ideological, political, social and cultural contexts, that influenced the film production; the main characters, the narrative structure and techniques used by the media text's producers. Interpreting the results of hermeneutical analysis of the film Dead Poets Society the authors come to conclusion that: – the media text clearly shows the main trends of the state policy in the educational, social and cultural fields; – the plot does not directly reflect the important events in the political life of the country, but there is a certain trace. Socio-political, economic objectives, ideological upbringing, religious education to varying degrees are reflected in the storyline of the media text (fundamental values are family, religion, love, loyalty, justice, generosity, kindness, mutual assistance, ability to take responsibility for actions, etc.); – the plot is immersed in the educational process, only slightly touches on love themes and is absolutely devoid of sex scenes; – the media text's concept is: socio-moral struggle (for personal happiness, love, truth, right for self-identification, freely express one's thoughts and ideas, etc.); confrontation against teachers' dullness, conservatism, bureaucratic approach; – this media text gives the idealized image of the teacher: intellectual, competent, respectful communicator of humanistic moral values and norms of behavior; – students' activity is centered around education and self-identity; – this media text promotes the humanistic ideal of a romantic character, attractive for the high moral and human qualities; – the film's authors present a strict social distance between teachers and students; unwavering authority and respect for the teacher, the prestige of the teaching profession in the eyes of students.
The article is devoted to hermeneutical analysis of the film Dead Poets Society (1989, directed by Peter Weir). Reviews of Russian and foreign film critics are included into the analysys. The author presents the historical, ideological, political, social and cultural contexts, that influenced the film production; the main characters, the narrative structure and techniques used by the media text's producers. Interpreting the results of hermeneutical analysis of the film Dead Poets Society the authors come to conclusion that: – the media text clearly shows the main trends of the state policy in the educational, social and cultural fields; – the plot does not directly reflect the important events in the political life of the country, but there is a certain trace. Socio-political, economic objectives, ideological upbringing, religious education to varying degrees are reflected in the storyline of the media text (fundamental values are family, religion, love, loyalty, justice, generosity, kindness, mutual assistance, ability to take responsibility for actions, etc.); – the plot is immersed in the educational process, only slightly touches on love themes and is absolutely devoid of sex scenes; – the media text's concept is: socio-moral struggle (for personal happiness, love, truth, right for self-identification, freely express one's thoughts and ideas, etc.); confrontation against teachers' dullness, conservatism, bureaucratic approach; – this media text gives the idealized image of the teacher: intellectual, competent, respectful communicator of humanistic moral values and norms of behavior; – students' activity is centered around education and self-identity; – this media text promotes the humanistic ideal of a romantic character, attractive for the high moral and human qualities; – the film's authors present a strict social distance between teachers and students; unwavering authority and respect for the teacher, the prestige of the teaching profession in the eyes of students.
Number of views: 887 Download in PDF
Assessing Information Literacy Skills of Undergraduate Freshmen: A Case Study from Hong Kong
International Journal of Media and Information Literacy, 2018, 3(1): 11-17.
Number of views: 790 Download in PDF
3. Svetlana NedelchevaInternational Journal of Media and Information Literacy, 2018, 3(1): 11-17.
Abstract:
University students use information from the Internet for solving their own problems or assignments. However, there has been a little discussion on the use of internet-based information literacy skills of freshmen in Hong Kong. The present study assessed the internet-based information literacy skills of undergraduate freshmen from author’s university. This study included four information literacy areas: (1) identify information needs and internet sources; (2) locate information from the internet; (3) evaluate information from the Internet; (4) synthesize information. These areas are important learning skills for survival in the information age. This study measured the perception of information literacy skills by self-rated survey and actual information literacy skills by using multiple-choice knowledge test and task-based information problem from sixty-one undergraduate freshmen. The findings indicate that the participants have difficulties in all information literacy areas. These results signify that further support on information literacy skills should be provided.
University students use information from the Internet for solving their own problems or assignments. However, there has been a little discussion on the use of internet-based information literacy skills of freshmen in Hong Kong. The present study assessed the internet-based information literacy skills of undergraduate freshmen from author’s university. This study included four information literacy areas: (1) identify information needs and internet sources; (2) locate information from the internet; (3) evaluate information from the Internet; (4) synthesize information. These areas are important learning skills for survival in the information age. This study measured the perception of information literacy skills by self-rated survey and actual information literacy skills by using multiple-choice knowledge test and task-based information problem from sixty-one undergraduate freshmen. The findings indicate that the participants have difficulties in all information literacy areas. These results signify that further support on information literacy skills should be provided.
Number of views: 790 Download in PDF
On the Balkan Route: the Image of Migrants in Bulgarian Online News
International Journal of Media and Information Literacy, 2018, 3(1): 18-29.
Number of views: 756 Download in PDF
4. Art SilverblattInternational Journal of Media and Information Literacy, 2018, 3(1): 18-29.
Abstract:
This study focuses on the multumodal devices in representing migrants along the Balkan route in Bulgarian online news during the “migrant crisis” of 2015/2016. It reveals a broader sense of the term ‘text’ in describing the migrants including both verbal text and pictorial display of their social activities. They are seen as ‘social actors’ with particular social relationships between them and the people in the countries they pass through. A series of conceptual mappings characterizes the excerpted material: WATER metaphor, COMPETITION metaphor, EUROPE IS A PERSON metaphor, THE CRISIS IS A PERSON metaphor, EUROPE IS A HOUSE metaphor. The visual representation corresponds to the verbal one, therefore giving the reader a sense of objectivity of the news. Mostly the image of the refugees in the news is positive. The poor conditions they live in on their way to Europe are discussed with sympathy and compassion, consistent with Bulgarian foreign politics.
This study focuses on the multumodal devices in representing migrants along the Balkan route in Bulgarian online news during the “migrant crisis” of 2015/2016. It reveals a broader sense of the term ‘text’ in describing the migrants including both verbal text and pictorial display of their social activities. They are seen as ‘social actors’ with particular social relationships between them and the people in the countries they pass through. A series of conceptual mappings characterizes the excerpted material: WATER metaphor, COMPETITION metaphor, EUROPE IS A PERSON metaphor, THE CRISIS IS A PERSON metaphor, EUROPE IS A HOUSE metaphor. The visual representation corresponds to the verbal one, therefore giving the reader a sense of objectivity of the news. Mostly the image of the refugees in the news is positive. The poor conditions they live in on their way to Europe are discussed with sympathy and compassion, consistent with Bulgarian foreign politics.
Number of views: 756 Download in PDF
Approaches to International Media Literacy: Cultural Habits of Thought
International Journal of Media and Information Literacy, 2018, 3(1): 30-37.
Number of views: 802 Download in PDF
5. International Journal of Media and Information Literacy, 2018, 3(1): 30-37.
Abstract:
The media have become so pervasive throughout the globe that the ability to decipher messages conveyed through the media has become a 21st century survival skill. Indeed, in 2011, participants in the First International Forum on Media and Information Literacy (in which the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization – UNESCO – is the lead partner) issued a Declaration, in which they affirmed that Media and Information Literacy is a “fundamental human right.” International Media Literacy focuses on what members of the media literacy community can learn from one another with regard to media literacy principles, concepts, programs, and strategies. Media literacy scholars apply those strategies that most effectively approach the study of media and media presentations in their cultures. Within this context, it can be useful to identify the media literacy principles, concepts, and approaches that are most effective in particular cultures. Further, it can be useful to consider other media literacy approaches that might offer a fresh perspective into that country’s media and media presentations.
The media have become so pervasive throughout the globe that the ability to decipher messages conveyed through the media has become a 21st century survival skill. Indeed, in 2011, participants in the First International Forum on Media and Information Literacy (in which the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization – UNESCO – is the lead partner) issued a Declaration, in which they affirmed that Media and Information Literacy is a “fundamental human right.” International Media Literacy focuses on what members of the media literacy community can learn from one another with regard to media literacy principles, concepts, programs, and strategies. Media literacy scholars apply those strategies that most effectively approach the study of media and media presentations in their cultures. Within this context, it can be useful to identify the media literacy principles, concepts, and approaches that are most effective in particular cultures. Further, it can be useful to consider other media literacy approaches that might offer a fresh perspective into that country’s media and media presentations.
Number of views: 802 Download in PDF