Hegemony: Quiet Control Over Convergence Textbook Content

Abstract

Convergence journalism is a growing trend in American media. Since convergence journalism is relatively new, teaching practices are evolving. Applying Habermas's Theory of the Public Sphere and Deetz's Theory of Corporate Colonization of the Lifeworld to the teaching of media convergence, we posit that corporate colonization of American society subtly shapes textbook content and subsequently shapes textbook material presented to students. This critical-cultural rhetorical analysis examines the implications of convergence journalism textbook content, and thus eventual convergence journalism practices, on the public sphere and American democracy. Ultimately, this critical analysis gives insight for selecting convergence journalism textbooks that help preserve the public sphere principles of journalistic practice.