History and Theory of Interactive Media - JKM104

• Title: History and Theory of Interactive Media
• Guaranteed by: Department of Media Studies (23-KMS)
• Faculty: Faculty of Social Sciences
• Actual: from 2023
• Semester: summer
• E-Credits: 5
• Examination process: summer s.:
• Hours per week, examination: summer s.:2/0, C [HT]
• Capacity: 20 / unknown (10)
• Min. number of students: 10
• 4EU+: no
• Virtual mobility / capacity: no
• State of the course: taught
• Language: English, Czech
• Teaching methods: full-time
• Teaching methods: full-time
• Note: course can be enrolled in outside the study plan; enabled for web enrollment; priority enrollment if the course is part of the study plan
• Guarantor: Mgr. Jan Miessler
• Teacher(s): Mgr. Jan Miessler
• Class: Courses for incoming students

Annotation

Last update: Mgr. Jan Miessler (01.02.2024)

In this course, we will introduce and discuss historical developments and theoretical reflections of interactive media. We will look at important authors, texts, and arguments. We will explore various perspectives how to look at and analyze interactive media, and use these perspectives to illuminate selected cases.

Aim of the course

Last update: Mgr. Jan Miessler (01.02.2024)

As the result of taking this course, students should acquire understanding of how interactive media operate and what are the main points of the debate about them. They should be able to use this understanding for analysis of instances of interactive media and context and link them to relevant theories.

Literature

Last update: Mgr. Jan Miessler (01.02.2024)

Castells, M. (1996) The Rise of Network Society. Basil Blackwell.

Curran, J. ed. (2010) Media and Society (5th ed.). Bloomsbury Academic.

van Dijk, J. (2012) The Network Society (3rd ed.). Sage.

Fuchs, C. (2008) Internet and Society: Social Theory in the Information Age. Routledge.

Fuchs, C. (2011). Foundations of Critical Media and Information Studies. Routledge.

Teaching methods

Last update: Mgr. Jan Miessler (01.02.2024)

Short introduction to the topic by the lecturer followed by presentations and debates on key issues of the assigned texts.

Requirements to the exam

Last update: Mgr. Jan Miessler (01.02.2024)

To pass the class, students need to contribute to every class by joining the discussion. They also have to do a short class presentation and write a final paper and a book review. Requirements for the tasks will be discussed during the first class.

Final grade spectrum:

Pass/Fail

Syllabus

Last update: Mgr. Jan Miessler (01.02.2024)

Lesson plan:

1.      Introduction: what is technology?

2.      Technological determinism?

3.      A Marxist base for a digital superstructure?

4.      Digital economy

5.      History of the internet revisited

6.      Cyborgs and cybercommunities

7.      Cyberpower

8.      Digital texts, digital minds

9.      Artificial worlds, cyber bodies and digital self

10.    Alternatives to the West

11.    Final class