Media and Society
A Critical Perspective
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- $52.99
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- $52.99
Publisher Description
Media and Society: A Critical Perspective offers an accessible introduction to the role that the mass media play in our lives, our society, and American culture. Berger explores the relationship between consumers and media with an emphasis on the shaping influence that both have on each other. This lively text, illustrated with original sketches by the author, equips students with the tools necessary to analyze the media that permeates their lives. The third edition features a discussion of the impact of Facebook, Twitter, and other social media on youth culture, an expanded discussion of media ethics, including the Murdoch phone-tapping scandal, an analysis of how media has affected our political landscape, and updated examples and material on media theories and ideology.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Part of Rowman & Littlefield's new series of condensed texts for mass communication courses, this work runs the gamut from linguist Roman Jakobson's and political scientist Harold Lasswell's communication models to Marshall McLuhan's"the medium is the message" theory. Because Berger, a communications professor emeritus at San Francisco State University, quotes more than he hypothesizes on his own, the book feels like an anthology. It serves as a generally thorough overview of mass communication theories, attempting to present both sides of scholastic arguments, and includes a helpful glossary. Unfortunately, however, the writing is flaccid and poorly organized. Berger divides chapters into short, shallow sub-sections and supplements them with often-random epigraphs, redundant charts and simplistic illustrations. When the author does hazard an opinion, it falls flat for lack of evidence, coherence and conviction. General readers looking for an insightful look at the relationship between media and society should look elsewhere.
