Medienkunde
Medienkunde is a term used in German-speaking countries for a curricular area or subject focused on media literacy, media culture, and media production. It aims to enable learners to access, understand, evaluate, and create media content, and to participate responsibly in a media-saturated society. The subject arises from concerns about increasing media consumption, misinformation, advertising influence, and digital citizenship, and is taught at various levels, from primary to secondary education, with content adapted to age and local curricula. In practice, Medienkunde combines elements of information literacy, media education, and communication pedagogy. Typical topics include the structure and function of mass media, media genres, advertising and persuasion, data privacy and digital rights, copyright, critical analysis of media messages, and safe, ethical use of digital technologies. Practical activities may involve analyzing news reports, producing podcasts or short videos, and evaluating sources for credibility. Pedagogical approaches emphasize active learning, project work, collaboration, and reflection on the social and political role of media.
The degree to which Medienkunde exists as a separate subject varies by country and state; in some