Media Todayputs students at the center of the profound changes in the twenty-first century media world - from digital convergence to media ownership - and gives them the skills to think critically about what these changes mean for the role of media in their lives. Media Today, Fourth Edition is built around four key concepts: A media systems approach allows students to understand the interconnected cultural, political, and economic forces that shape media they encounter every day. Unique insights into media trendsgive students an insider's perspective on how media industries are responding to changes from globalization to social networking. Focus on digital convergence shows in each chapter how digital media is transforming traditional mass media such as newspapers, magazines, and television. A media literacy goalencourages and builds critical skills to make students more informed and engaged citizens in our media-driven society. Completely revised with updated examples, new case studies, and new online video resources, the 4th edition of Media Today connects the latest trends, debates, and technologies to the history of media, highlighting the impact and meaning of today's changes to the media landscape, especially how traditional industries have blurred together with digital convergence. Additional learning resources including a new set of online video resources, interactive quizzes, study resources, and instructor guides are available on the free companion website at: www.routledge.com/textbooks/mediatoday4e.

Media Today uses convergence as a lens that puts students at the center of the profound changes in the 21st century media world. Through the convergence lens they learn to think critically about the role of media today and what these changes mean for their lives presently and in the future. The book’s media systems approach helps students to look carefully at how media content is created, distributed, and exhibited in the new world that the digital revolution has created. From newspapers to video games and social networking to mobile platforms, Media Today prepares students to live in the digital world of media.

Media Today gives your students the media literacy skills they need to think critically about the role of media in their lives. This book uses a media systems approach to look closely at the production, distribution, and exhibition of media, from Hollywood films to Facebook, to discover cultural, political, and economic forces that shape media now. Completely revised and updated, this 4th edition connects the latest trends, debates, and technologies to the history of media, highlighting the impact and meaning of today's changes to the media landscape, especially how traditional industry boundaries have blurred with digital convergence. Students and instructors will find a full range of supporting materials including interactive quizzes and online video resources at www.routledge.com/textbooks/mediatoday4e.

Media Today puts students at the center of profound changes in the twenty-first century media world -from digital convergence to media ownership- and gives them the skills to think critically about what these changes mean for the role of media in their lives.

Understanding Media, Today. McLuhan in the Era of Convergence Culture

A comprehensive and practical guide to writing a successful media paper or report, from selecting a topic to submitting the final draft. How to Write about the Media Today is the first book to offer students and media practitioners a comprehensive approach for researching and preparing a report, paper, or presentation on some aspect of today's mass communication. How to Write about the Media Today begins with a discussion of different types of media outlets—from traditional newspapers and television to the Internet—as well as an overview of contemporary directions in media studies. This is followed by a series of step-by-step strategies for selecting topics, conducting research, and writing cogently and engagingly about media-related events and issues. Because each chapter stands on its own, this resource can be read sequentially or consulted topic-by-topic as needed.