Non-Muslim Students' Perceptions of Islam

Along with many other non-Muslim individuals on campus at the University of Illinois, I know that I may have misconceptions about Islam. Much of my opinions concerning Muslims are influenced by the media and popular culture, and particularly television. Its serialized nature and ready access in the home provide the most regular exposure to portrayals of Islam, removed from its origins and fictionalized to suit a narrative. I would like to explore how other non-Muslim students views on Islam have been influenced by what they see on TV, and how that effects their personal interactions with Muslim students. Do they believe it is a proper substitute for watching the news? Do they believe overtly negative representations of Muslims in fictional situations? Do they believe there to be negative portrayals of Islamic characters? And how does it influence their interpersonal relations with Islamic students