This course provides an overview of the primary areas of media psychology and explores how individuals interact with and are affected by mass media (magazines, television, video games, internet, etc.).Students apply various theories of media influence and evaluate research strategies used to measure media effects. The course investigates the messages that different media genres communicate about health, relationships, and sterotypes, and the ways children , adolescents, and adults interpret these messages. Students also evaluate current controversies about media use and well-being, and develop policy recommendations based on the existing literature. Prerequisites: PSYC 101 or PSYC 110. (F;S;SS)