This edited collection explores the malleability and influence of body image, focusing particularly on how media representation and popular culture's focus on the body exacerbates the crucial social influence these representations can have on audiences' perceptions of themselves and others. Contributors investigate the cultural context and lived experiences of individuals' relationships with their bodies, going beyond examination of the thin, ideal body type to explore the emerging representations and portrayals of a diverse set of body types across the media spectrum, paving the way for future research on this topic. Scholars of media studies, popular culture, and health communication will find this book particularly useful.

Pedagogies of Post-Truth explores the national and international political developments in what has been called a post-truth society; specifically, in which conservative groups target media outlets claiming fabrication of news and that the veracity of evidence-based reporting should be questioned. Truth has been reduced to the validation of opinions instead of the presentation of scientific facts. This collection responds to these issues by initiating a scholarly dialogue about teaching in the era of post-truth in which research-based findings that do not align with political viewpoints are judged, criticized, and often described as "fake." Contributors evaluate the pedagogical challenges of post-truth discourse and how post-truth messages negatively affect instructors and students. By highlighting ways instructors and students can resist the hegemony of post-truth, this book creates a dialogue among scholars, illustrates the challenges, and offers pedagogical techniques to discuss "post-truth," the role of the educator, the role of media, and the role of other story-makers of our society.

Ethical Problems in Mass Media challenges students to examine and analyze, as both consumers and potential creators, ethical issues in mass communication on a variety of levels. Beginning with a discussion of key ethical philosophers and frameworks and then addressing ethical dilemmas present in a variety of media fields, the book encourages students to think critically about the difficult choices and the ethical consequences of those choices they may encounter as mass communication professionals. The opening chapter outlines five ethical theories centered on the notions of virtue, duty, utility, rights, and love. Over the course of five distinct units, students are provided with cases and read about topics often of ethical concern in the areas of news journalism, politics, advertising, public relations, and media. Discussion questions at the end of each chapter prompt students to apply theoretical frameworks to the cases and topics presented, inspiring critical thought and self-reflection. Designed to help students develop their own personal definition of ethics, morals, and values, Ethical Problems in Mass Media is an ideal text for courses in mass communication and mass media.