AMST 2503 How are American Muslims Represented?
Have you ever felt like some news stories receive a lot more coverage than others of equal importance? You’re not imagining it. In this media literacy course, you will study landmark research about media responses to ideologically motivated violence in the United States. Accurate representation matters. Misrepresentation can be dangerous.
Hate crime or terrorism? Lone wolf or extremist? These words are often used to describe ideologically motivated violence in the United States. Their use by officers of the law and members of the media has impact on real cases. In this course you will examine the impact of media representation of Muslims. You will examine case studies in which perpetrators of similar crimes receive dramatically different legal and media responses. This empirical-based course compares media coverage, law enforcement tactics, charges, and eventual sentencing when the perpetrator of an act of ideologically motivated violence is perceived to be Muslim and acting in the name of Islam vs. not perceived to be Muslim and motivated by another ideology, such as white supremacy.
College, Graduate, Professional Development
Download ISPU 2503 Course Pack A. How are American Muslims Represented? = Download ISPU 2503 Course Pack B. Media Tenor Study =
Civic Education for a Common Good
We apply the U.S. Department of Education’s Consensus Statements about Constitutional Approaches for Teaching about Religion
▸ Our approach to religion is academic, not devotional;
▸ We strive for student awareness of religions, but do not press for student acceptance of any religion;
▸ We sponsor the study about religion, not the practice of religion;
▸ We expose students to a diversity of religious views, but may not impose any particular view;
▸ We educate about all religions, we do not promote or denigrate any religion;
▸ We inform students about religious beliefs and practices, it does not seek to conform students to any particular belief or practice.
We apply the American Academy of Religion’s “Religious Literacy Guidelines”
▸ “Religious Literacy Guidelines for College Students.” American Academy of Religion, 2019.
▸ “Teaching About Religion: AAR Guidelines for K-12 Public Schools.” American Academy of Religion, April 2010.
We apply the National Council for the Social Studies C3 Frameworks for Religious Studies
▸ College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework for Social Studies State Standards, “Religious Studies Companion Document for the C3 Framework.” Silver Spring, MD: National Council for the Social Studies, 2017.
