Media Technology and Society

The aim of this course is to provide a theoretical specialization in the relationship between media and communication technologies and their social and cultural practices in history. It aims to create an understanding of the mutual influence between social and cultural contexts and the development of media and communication technologies through a combination of theory and practice.

This semester, a special thematic focus will be the changing relationship between gender and technology.

The organization of the course is twofold: 1) A lectures series engaging with theories and perspectives pertaining to the historical and contemporary development of media technologies in their social and cultural contexts. 2) Workshops connecting theoretical insights to contemporary media culture through practice-based assignments.

Upon completion of this course, the student will have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• has knowledge about the relationship between media and communication technology, culture and society.
• has knowledge about central theories of media and communication studies pertaining to the relationship between technology, culture and society.

Skills

The student

• can discuss the relationship between media technology and society in a historical perspective.
• can reflect upon central theories and perspectives on the development of modern media and how new technology creates new forms of communication and interaction.
• can analyze the relevance of media technology for the development of modern forms of culture and society.

General competence

The student

• can employ central theoretical perspectives to explain and understand the development of media. technologies and their cultural and societal role, and present such work in written form.