This course raises three basic questions about the media: How should its messages be read and understood, or "de-coded?" What is its role, or impact, as a social institution? And how might we use it effectively to promote policy or program objectives? We will deal with the impact of contemporary global trends on the profession of journalism and on the media industry and the influence of media coverage on policy approaches to urgent problems. And we will examine media self-assessment - that is, media coverage of media coverage of some particularly shocking events or controversial issues. Students will engage in some role-playing and will prepare Op-ed and article-length (8-10 pages) pieces for newspapers or magazines.