STUDY PROGRAMME
Media Design and Multimedia Arts

AFAM CODE
ABPC65

DISCIPLINARY AREA
Theory and methodology of mass media

DISCIPLINARY FIELD
Theory and methodology of mass media

CREDITS
6

APPROACH
Theoretical

This theoretical course aims at presenting the socio-cultural impact of mass media through the critical analysis of their evolution - from mass media to digital media - with a focus on the contemporary mapping and main theories. It helps the students develop an analytical and critical approach to the cultural production of films, TV shows, websites, new media projects.

The programme consists of one single module, which grants 8 credits.

Successful students will be able to:

• Analyse cultural productions generated within both traditional and digital media

• Explain and present the theories and ideas presented in class

• Create links between communication and generic cultural elements

• Introduction to the historical evolution of media - from mass media to digital media - and analysis of their social and cultural impact

• Analytical elements that help decoding media/digital phenomena

• Reference to the most important theoretical contributions to the history of the discipline

• The impact of media on visual culture - examples in art

• Monograph focus on the impact on communication processes: advertising, graphics, web design

The programme focuses on theoretical courses.

Students will take part in the following activities, which may vary depending on the different topics:

• Classroom lectures

• Debates, presentations, peer assessment

• Use of tutorials, videos or other media tools

• Exercises and revisions

• Individual study and research

Assessment tools may include:

• Mid-term written exam: open questions on the themes treated in class

• Oral exams

Further details about the exams will be provided by the professors.

The final grade will result from the weighted average of the programme modules.

• Benjamin, W. (1935) The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction.

• Bolter, J.D., Grusin, R. (2000), Remediation, MIT Press.

• Hayles, N. K. (1999) How We Became Posthuman: Virtual Bodies in Cybernetics, Literature, and Informatics, Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

• Hayles, N. K. (2005) My Mother Was a Computer, Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.

• Manovich, L. (2001) The Language of New Media, MIT Press.

• McLuhan, M. (1964) Ed. 1967, Understanding Media, London: Sphere Books.

• Turkle, S. (2011) Alone Together: Why We Expect More from Technology and Less from Each Other, Basic Books.

A lot of the referenced material, together with other in-depth study material, can be consulted online in MyNaba, in the Library section.

Further books and other recommended or required resources may be specified by the professor.