The Grand Rapids Institute for Information Democracy (GRIID), a part of the Grand Rapids Community Media Center, is offering a number of classes this fall pertaining to media and domestic and foreign policy. In many cases, the classes build on GRIID’s work monitoring the local news and election coverage and offer participants a way to examine how media impacts a variety of issues ranging from parenting to the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative (MCRI). For more information on the classes, contact GRIID at 459-4788x122 or via email at jsmith [ a t ] grcmc.org.
Parenting & Media (Two 2-hour sessions)
This 2 session workshop will look at how the media industry targets children with images and messages; violence, health issues, race & gender representation, and hyper-commercialism. Once participants look at how media works and what impact it has on society, we will discuss what strategies people can use in their home, in schools, the larger community, and ways to hold media accountable. $25, with a minimum 6 participants
Media and the 2006 Elections (One 2-hour session)
This class will look at how local TV and the Grand Rapids Press have reported on the 2006 Election since GRIID began tracking the coverage on January 15. We will look at the all races and ballot issues relevant to the November election, plus political ads, and money in local elections. $15, with a minimum of 6 participants
Michigan Civil Rights Initiative Ballot and local news coverage (One 2-hour session)
This class will look at how local TV and the Grand Rapids Press have reported on the MCRI ballot initiative since GRIID began tracking the coverage on January 15. We will look at both the Grand Rapids Press and TV news coverage, with an emphasis on how the media has framed this issue. $15, with a minimum of 6 participants
Understanding US Foreign Policy – 6 week two-hour sessions
This popular education class is designed to provide an overview of US foreign policy since the beginning of the 20th century, using handouts, video, and online sources. Participants will also be producing media materials that would be useful to the general public based upon the discussion and information from these sessions. Participants will develop a better understanding and analysis of US foreign policy in order to better assess current policy and respond to questions such as “why do they hate us?” Cost: $50 for all 6 weeks (but this can be negotiated for volunteer work)
Media Policy and Democracy – (One 3-hour session)
This class is designed to help people understand how media policy works and what impact it has on the general public. We will look at Federal Communication Commission regulation, the broadcasting industry, media ownership rules, internet policy, how policy is developed and by whom. Cost: $15 (minimum of 6 participants)
