Admission requirements
This class is restricted to BA3 students taking either the 15 or 30 EC package in Digital Humanities and BA2 students Arts, Media and Society. See also the remarks below.
Staff and Graduate students are welcome to audit (parts of) the course, if space permits.
For any questions regarding the admission requirements, please contact the lecturer.
Description
Why do trolls want you to spread fake news? Why are video games more than ‘just’ entertainment? What does it mean when we “google” something? Why would somebody pay real money for items that only exist in virtual worlds? How can I leverage digital media as a positive force for change in science and society?
This course explores these and other major questions and debates surrounding the relationship between society and culture on one hand, and digital media and technology on the other. The topics to be covered in this class include an in-depth look at key issues such as the history of computing, search technologies, the business of personal data, the dark side of digital communication, virtual worlds, and video games. Students will read about and discuss these issues but will also engage in the production of digital culture themselves. The course project will consist of a popular scientific blog on one aspect of digital media, culture, and society. Aside from lectures by the instructor, these blogs will form the basis of this collaborative exploration into the entanglement of the digital with our everyday lives.
Course objectives
At the end of this course, you will:
Be able to articulate how and why digital media impact culture and society.
Have explored the background, context, promises and pitfalls of a range of specific media and concepts in this field.
Know where to find some of the inspiring media and thinkers in this field.
Be able to discuss your views on digital media themes with peers as well as give and receive feedback.
Be able to use a number of digital media production tools, including blogging, podcasting, and video software.
Timetable
Mode of instruction
Seminar
Assessment method
Assessment
Course reading
Participation & Peer Feedback
Presentation
Course project
Weighing
Discussion of literature: 15%
Class Participation & Peer Feedback: 15%
Presentation: 20%
Course project: 50%
Final mark for the course is established by determining the weighted average.
Resit
Students who have scored an overall insufficient grade for the course may take a resit for the presentation and the course project, in the form of an oral exam (in place of presentation) and a paper (in place of final project).
Exam review
How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the exam results, an exam review will have to be organized.
Reading list
The reading and other resources for this course can be found at http://www.shoresoftime.com/digmedia/
Registration
Enrolment through uSis is mandatory.
General information about uSis is available on the website
Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs
Registration Studeren à la carte
Registration Contractonderwijs
Contact
Remarks
The course Digital Media, Culture and Society will be given in two sessions. Students Arts, Media and Society should enroll in group 101 (Wednesday 13:15-15:00) and Minorstudents should enroll in group 102 (Wednesday 15:15-17:00).