Welcome to my website. My name is Jessica Hanses and I am a doctoral student in the Transformative Learning in the Global Community program at Webster University.
Research Interests: Intercultural Communications, Critical Media Literacy, Cultural Theory, Global Mindedness, Critical Pedagogy, Adult Education, Immigrant and Refugee Rights, and Human Rights
My research focuses on the pressing contemporary global issues of examining "cultures of use" related to the critical effects of media, media and identity, implicit racial/gender stereotypes and biases, intersectionality, agency, and the creation of mindful communications from a comparative and transnational perspective.
LEARN MORE ABOUT JESSICA
A little bit about me
As an undergraduate student, I studied ethnic and minority relations, international human rights, international studies, and practical and interdisciplinary ethics. As a graduate student, I studied intercultural communications and media literacy. I hold a B.A. in Sociology and an M.A. in Media Literacy from Webster University and am currently a student in Webster University’s Transformative Learning in the Global Community doctoral program. I have spent several years working directly with immigrant and refugee populations, in adult education environments, and would like to expand on this experience as it applies to my research areas of interest.
After spending years listening to the stories and cultural experiences of my students, I would like to expand the concept of inclusivity and explore how, as educators, we can create a more authentic classroom experience for adult immigrant and refugee students. I would like to do this by exploring critical media literacy from an international and comparative educational perspective. How and what are other countries and international educational systems are doing to establish a contextual backdrop, by way of critical media literacy, for authenticity in the classroom, and what does authenticity in the classroom look like? I expect it will look different the world over. What are the key takeaways? What can we learn from “Others” engaged in adult education and language acquisition and development that we can apply so that our students develop the natural socio-cultural competencies to become democratic citizens of the world?
As a passionate human rights, cultural studies, and critical theory advocate, I believe this type of critical and cultural pedagogy is timelier than ever especially in the current era of “fake news”. I would like to advocate for a holistic, socially just learning environment regarding critical media literacy for marginalized populations and I intend to use this site as a foundational piece to explain and inform on the importance of new and critical literacies such as critical media literacy and critical digital literacy, how and why they are considered critical studies and highlight their relevancy within social movements.
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
INTERNATIONAL STUDIES ASSOCIATION
WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL
AMERICAN SOCIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION
CRITICAL MEDIA LITERACY
SOCIOCULTURAL
Critical media literacy is a critical pedagogy that has the potential to challenge the status quo and facilitate transformative learning. Critical media literacy empowers individuals to be globally-minded.
HISTORICAL
Marginalized populations are woefully underrepresented as media makers, producers, and decision makers, who creates the message is just as important as who is left out of the message.
SOCIOPOLITICAL
Critical media literacy is transformational and plays a pivotal role in identity formation, belonging, and transnationalism of marginalized populations.
CONNECTED THEORISTS
Who has contributed to the theory of critical media literacy?
(These lists are not exhaustive. Please contact me with suggestions.)
CRITICALITY
Paulo Freire
Howard Zimm
Lens Masterman
Carmen Luke
SOCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS
Allen Luke
Peter Freebody
John Hartley
Graeme Turner
ADVOCACY
Marshall McLuhan
Renee Hobbs
Douglas Kellner
Jeff Share
WHAT ARE THE GAPS IN THE LITERATURE?
CV
Professional Accomplishments
November 2019 - Present
COORDINATOR OF ASSESSMENT AND ANALYSIS
Collaborated with the Associate Dean, faculty, and staff in the design, development, and implementation of methods and processes to collect and analyze data
• Collaborated with the Associate Dean, faculty and staff, in preparing annual and other data reports, including reports for CAEP, DESE, Title II, HLC, and grant applications
• Collected data from mandated external testing websites and provided aggregated reports on those data as needed; set up efficient databases and electronic data in collaboration with faculty and staff
• Ensured the quality, accuracy, and integrity of data by crosschecking data between systems; updated missing or inconsistent information
January 2014 - November 2019
ONLINE STUDENT SUCCESS COACH
Provide outreach and support to target student populations to enhance student retention and bolster graduation rates
• Assess and assist online students in making informed decisions by providing information related to policies, procedures, and university resources
• Assists in the design, development, and execution of online training courses, student workshops, seminars, and events for students
• Develops data-informed methods to engage and identify potentially “at-risk” students
July 2016 - December 2016
ADULT EDUCATION AND LITERACY INSTRUCTOR
Proctored TABE-CLAS E and CASA reading, writing, and listening assessments
• Develop materials and resources for non-literate, semi-literate, and beginning adult ESL learners
• Effectively and appropriately differentiated instruction for a linguistically diverse population
October 2012 - December 2016
ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE INSTRUCTOR
Partnered with the Director to implement fundamental changes in curriculum development and assessment procedures
• Conducted orientation workshops, events and student and family outreach activities
• Created and implemented beginning, intermediate and advanced ESL curriculum for adults
• Analyzed and delivered proactive intervention strategies for academic success
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
My next steps
HOW CAN CRITICAL MEDIA LITERACY SUPPORT GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP?
ARE SPECIFIC TYPES OF MEDIA MORE INFLUENTIAL IN SHAPING CULTURAL AND INDIVIDUAL IDENTITIES?
HOW CAN CRITICAL MEDIA LITERACY BE APPLIED IN DEVELOPING PERSPECTIVE CONSCIOUSNESS?
IS A GLOBAL CRITICAL MEDIA LITERACY FRAMEWORK POSSIBLE?
