The Centralized, Commercial Mass Media,
and Independent, Local, Positive, Transformative Alternatives

8 week course, 7 pm – 8:30 pm

    
             

   In our electronic, technological age, it’s not just the economy that has become global. Along with local economies, local culture is also in retreat. A few media tycoons control the attention of billions of people. Americans spend half of their waking hours with the media. The mass media is continuing to consolidate. It is our primary source of entertainment and news. The media is our culture.
   There is a tremendous diversity of news and entertainment options in the media: scores of cable television stations, thousands of magazines, and millions of websites. How is this abundance of content related to the growing consolidation of media ownership? Do we really have more and better choices than our parents did?
   Is the media satisfying? Does it reflect our aspirations, needs, and desires? Whose interests does it serve? What is its underlying message? Does it serve the public good?
   Fifty years ago three quarters of all daily newspapers were locally owned. Today, less than two percent are. Just six companies now control the country’s news and entertainment. But it is not just the elite that are responsible for our cultural state. Every day through our own choices we sustain it. Through our own choices we can take back control.

     
 
Click here for notes from
our Spring, 2004 course
 
     
  Text Box: The media is ‘becoming the predominant business of the 21st century, and we’re in a new economic age....It’s more important than government. It’s more important than educational institutions and non-profits.’ Time Warner CEO Gerald Levin “The notion of public service—that there should be some motive for media other than profit—is in rapid retread if not total collapse.” Rich Media, Poor Democracy, Robert McChesney, 77 We gauge culture by the extent to which a whole people, not only individuals, live in accordance with the dictates of an eternal doctrine or strive for spiritual integrity; the extent to which inwardness, compassion, justice and holiness are to be found in the daily life of the masses.” The Earth is the Lord’s, Abraham Heschel, 9    
           

Class meetings

Class 1  Introduction
Class 2  What is the media?
Class 3  Concentration and globalization
Class 4  Democracy
Class 5  Advertising
Class 6  Culture and morals
Class 7  News and journalism
Class 8  Alternatives

Fundamental Questions

Meaning: How does the form of communicating determine content? Do mediums have an intrinsic nature of their own?
Concentration and globalization: How does our media exercise control? Why is there a trend towards decreasing competition and greater concentration?
Advertising: Is advertising manipulative? Why are newspapers so big? Are cultural products aimed at consumers or advertisers?
Democracy: How much choice and information is provided by the media? Who controls what is available? Are viewers just getting what they want?
News: Is there freedom of the press in the U.S.? Is there a liberal bias or a conservative bias? Is it possible to overcome bias?
Culture: What cultural and moral standards does the media promote? Is it becoming more sexual, vulgar, and violent? How does this affect daily life?
Alternatives: What is the responsibility of the individual for the media’s power – and what is our capacity to live into being positive, transformative media?

Huzanity School

 Huzanity School is a place where people join together in the study of subjects of vital importance to daily life. It focuses on fundamental questions, it challenges our actual choices, and provides tools for change. It is a model for education which based on direct understanding, without authority or dogma.
   The goal of Huzanity courses is not to gain knowledge or practical skills, but to ask and answer critical questions about humanity and society. Courses combine readings of classic and contemporary works, dialogue with fellow students, and opportunities for action in our community based on what is learned.

Courses

   Sign up sheets are available at Huzanity School and Dolce Edibles (the new café located in the same building). You can also contact us at 907-563-5634 or via our website, www.huzanity.org. Coming soon: Afternoon office hours.
   Classes have seven to fourteen students, and last 1 ½ hours. There are no teachers; instead, students rotate as facilitators, guiding the discussion based on provided materials. During the class, students review and evaluate the ideas presented in the readings, using the guidelines provided for each meeting. Each class begins with an activity, in which students have the chance to reflect on fundamental questions, and share personal experiences and views. Readings, which take one to two hours, should be completed before each class meeting.
   Each eight week courses costs $20, plus $5 for photocopies of readings.