1. To familiarise students with philosophical and theoretical approaches that will have relevance beyond the module.
2. To enable students to critically interrogate claims made about ‘new’ and outmoded media forms and platforms, and to distinguish moments of key cultural, social and technical change.
3. To equip students with critical understanding of culture and media, particularly in relation to technology and cultural and technological progress.
4. To expand students’ historical awareness and introduce them to a range of sources and archives through which they can learn about past media and cultural forms.

(LO1) Students will be able to demonstrate an ability to identify and explain philosophical and theoretical approaches that will have relevance beyond the module.

(LO2) Students will be able to critically interrogate claims made about ‘new’ and outmoded cultural and media forms and platforms, and to distinguish moments of key cultural, social and technical change.

(LO3) Students will be able to critique ideas about media and culture, particularly in relation to technology and technological progress.

(LO4) Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of a range of historical sources and archives through which they can learn about past media and cultural forms.

(S1) Further develop critical thinking

(S2) Develop critical writing ability

(S3) Conduct archival research and demonstrate historiographic skills

(S4) Practice close reading and analysis

Key topics will include (not necessarily all or in this order)

The mediatization of society
Approaches to the cultural history of technology and media
Ethnographic and phenomenological accounts of change
Innovation and progress in European philosophy and theory
Walter Benjamin and the critique of historical progress
Historical frameworks and periodization
The production of obsolescence and the shock of the new
Contemporary media theory
Survivals and revivals, nostalgic and retro-culture

Library resources will be accessible through the module reading list, other key learning resources will accessible through Canvas or (in the case of screenings and material culture) accessed in class.

Summary of Learning and Teaching Methods:
Teaching method: LECTURE AND SEMINAR
Description: WEEKLY 1 HR LECTURE AND 1 HR SEMINAR
This activity may be online or on campus and could be subject to changes.
Schedule directed student hours: 24
Unscheduled directed student hours: 126
Attendance recorded: YES
Notes:
Description of how self-directed learning hours may be used: reading module learning materials (key and further reading, researching, set seminar tasks, assignment preparation).