Ways of perceiving violence among media literacy course students

This study aims to investigate ways of perceiving mediatic violence among the students who enrolled in the media literacy course as well as those who did not. Based on this objective, it intends to demonstrate the role played by the media literacy course in terms of contributing to the understanding and solution of social violence. Sample of the study consists of children studying in public secondary schools affiliated to the Ministry of National Education in Adıyaman. To collect data, the media literacy levels of the students were measured by the questionnaire method and then their perceptions of violence in the media were tested by the interview method. Results of the study indicate that the media literacy skill levels of the students who enrolled in the media literacy course were higher compared to the students who did not take it. Children who took the course turned out to be more sensitive about violence, its dissemination and diversification. They also had a higher level of awareness toward gender-based violence. Moreover, the high success levels of the participants of the course indicate to a positive relationship in terms of the basic skills of the media literacy course such as access, analysis, evaluation and communication skills. Key words: reception of violence, media literacy, gender, student achievement.