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Place
and time:
Wednesdays from 13:30 to 18:30. Lokal 4A22
Introduction:
This course will examine the ways that the new information
technologies are affecting everyday life, culture, institutions,
groups, and identity, dealing with issues about the representation,
identity, production, consumption and regulation of IT. Grounded
in the fields of cultural studies and to a lesser extent sociology,
the course will explore a variety of topics from several methodological
approaches (statistical, qualitative, ethnographic, reader response,
storytelling, textual analysis, etc.).
The course
will each session select a particular case study in order to
bring theory and practise together (an example could be the
new social practises regarding the use of mobile phones). Potential
topics include: the Internet and the construction of identity;
community, group, and subculture formation online; digital technology
and the law (i.e. intellectual property, hacker culture, filesharing,
etc.); gender and technology; the growth of the digital entertainment
industry; the relationship between technology, ideology and
values; political and policy issues (i.e. regulation and ownership);
the representation of technology in popular media; play and
leisure in digital media; the role of design in social/cultural
formations.
Expectations:
Students
are expected to have an interest in the cultural implications
of IT phenomena, as well as a willingness to participate actively
in the course´s rhythm (read texts, go to exercises, participate
in discussions...).
Goals:
Upon
successful completion of this course students will be able to:
1) Demonstrate
a critical understanding of major cultural and social issues
regarding the use of the Internet and the role of information
technologies in contemporary life.
2) Relate
“new media” culture to a broader historical context.
3) Demonstrate
familiarity with several methodological approaches in the study
of digital culture.
4) Apply
major sociological and cultural studies theories to a variety
of issues around the Internet and digital media.
5)
Identify a question/problem in the cultural/social analysis
of IT, select an appropriate method for examination, and carry
out an original research project.
Pensum:
There is no course book, students can buy the kompendium
with the mandatory readings (see courseplan
for details) at the bookstore. The kompendium is the basic literature
for this course, if you want to extend your readings, you can
start by having a look at the full books where the kompendium
texts come from.
A
more general pensum will grow steadily throughout the course,
as authors and topics are introduced in the lectures so that
you can expand your knowledge on a particular subject. But
the only obligatory pensum for the exam corresponds with the
list of readings (kompendium + some photocopies + web texts)
detailed in the course plan.
