[Air-l] Textbook Advice

[Conor Schaefer]

What follows is from a colleague:

I used The Anthropology of Media: A Reader, edited by Kelly Askew and 
Richard Wilk.  If I had to do it over again, I would give serious 
consideration to Media Worlds: Anthropology on New Terrain, edited by 
Faye D. Ginsburg, Lila Abu-Lughod, and Brian Larkin.  

Both texts are somewhat similar in that they were the first good 
readers in the anthro of media, and they came out at around the same 
time.  The Askew and Wilk book is perhaps a little more suitable for a 
class of non-anthro students or an interdisciplinary approach.  On the 
other hand, I like the thematic organization of Media Worlds because 
the editors develop subject areas of particular interest to 
anthropologists (e.g., indigenous media, nation-states).

For the person asking, however, I would probably recommend taking a 
look at Media Anthropology, edited by Eric Rothenbuhler and Mihai 
Corman.  Despite the title, it's really heavy on the media (studies) 
and light on the anthropology.  The collective focus of the readings is 
on the way in which media are tied to culture (media as myth, media as 
ritual, identity through media).



Ted M Coopman wrote:
> Hello All,
>
> I am picking up a class at a California State U campus and would appreciate some textbook suggestions. It is an evening lecture course that meets once a week with 40 students (semester system). It is a required course. The CSU student population tends to be diverse and often older (average mid-to-late 20s). Ideally, I would like something that integrates new and old media. The program is in Radio, Television, Film, and Theatre and regularly uses web-based technologies (WebCT).
>
> Here is the catalog description:
>
> Media Theory and Research
> Theories of audience behavior and analysis of current social research on mass media. Emphasis on interplay between telecommunications media and interpersonal communication, especially uses and effects of media involving peer groups,
> minorities, children and families.
>
> Prereq's are Broadcast Communications (industry/regulations/technology) and Electronic Media and Culture.
>
> Any suggestions on road-tested text(s) or approaches/assignments would be great. They are looking to do something different.
>
> Thanks,
>
> -TED
>
> Ted M. Coopman
> Department of Communication
> University of Washington
>
>
>
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