Art Silverblatt

Position

Professor, Media Literacy

Department

Communications and Journalism

Home Campus

St. Louis (Webster Groves)

Courses Taught

MEDC 1630 Media Literacy; MEDC 2630 Studies in Media Literacy; MEDC 3260 International Communications; MEDC 4220 Genre Studies; FLST 3160 Topics in Film Studies; MEDC 5310 Media and Culture; MEDC 5480 Comparative Approaches to Media Literacy; MEDC 5981 Integrated Studies in Media Literacy

Education

PhD in English, Michigan State University; MA in English, Michigan State University; BA in Interdisciplinary Social Science, Michigan State University

Teaching Philosophy

"I believe that teaching is as much an art as it is a craft. Each class has its own dynamics and its own particular challenges. My goal is to prepare as much as possible and minimize the disasters.

My instruction focuses on the process of media analysis, using the selected approaches discussed in class. Although I certainly provide examples that support, illustrate and extend abstract concepts that have been introduced, my objective is to provide students with the theoretical tools to conduct their own primary research into media and media content.

I continually strive to improve as an educator. Over the years, I have devoted attention to refining instructional techniques such as using the text effectively, summarizing points and framing questions properly.

Over the past several years, I have expanded my range of expertise, teaching courses in international communications, genre studies and a variety of courses in film studies.

I have made a concerted effort to incorporate my scholarship in the classroom. My last two books (in international communications and genre studies) have formed the basis of new courses that I have taught for the university.

I also have focused considerable attention on using technology effectively in the classroom. In the fall of 2004, I was awarded a 2-year teaching fellowship. With help from the support staff at Webster, I can say that my efforts have enhanced my instruction.

I have developed the following principles that I strive to apply in the classroom:

• Get students involved
• Show enthusiasm
• Remain open to new ideas and different points of view
• Create a supportive learning environment
• Maintain high expectations
• Try to make learning enjoyable
• Strive for clarity and structure
• Balance concerns for the individual with sensitivity to group dynamics."

About

Silverblatt is the author of numerous books and articles, including:

• Media Literacy: Keys to Interpreting Media Messages (Praeger Publications, 1995, 2001, 2007);
• The Dictionary of Media Literacy (Greenwood Press,1997);
• Approaches to the Study of Media Literacy (M.E. Sharpe, May, 1999, 2009);
• International Communications: A Media Literacy Approach (M.E. Sharpe, May, 2004); and,
• Genre Studies in Mass Media: A Handbook (M.E. Sharpe, 2007).

Silverblatt's work has been translated into Japanese, Korean, Chinese and German.

Media

Webster Today
In the News: Silverblatt ‘St. Louis Character'
Holden Forum Reports Record-Breaking Participation for 2012 Election Season
August 2011 Employee Service Anniversaries

Media Trends 2013
“International Media Literacy: A Conceptual Framework”

St. Louis Business Journal
St. Louis Character: Art Silverblatt

Contact Information

Office phone 314-968-6925
Email

Web Site

www.webster.edu/medialiteracy/