Media Specialization II

Uitgebreide vaknaam	Media Specialization II: A Thematic Approach
Leerdoelen	Upon successful completion of the course unit, students are able to: 1. accurately summarize and give examples of central concepts from media studies, such as connotation/denotation, technological determinism, counterpublic, and simulation (1c) 2. analyse primary source material, orally and in writing, using concepts from the course readings (2d) 3. assess ways that media have institutionalized and critiqued U.S. ideologies (including individualism, consumerism, and the American Dream, as well as ideologies of race, class, gender, and religion) (1d, 3c) 4. devise a specific, original research question on a topic germane to media and contemporary politics, and select an appropriate method for exploring that question (2a, 3a) 5. write a well-argued essay that applies one or more of the interdisciplinary approaches discussed in the course to the elucidation of your research question (4a, 4b)
Omschrijving	Our contemporary media environment is vertiginously complex, multi-centered, and evolving. Media Specialization is a two-course sequence designed to give students the historical perspective and critical tools they will need to understand U.S. popular culture in the present moment, and to participate in that culture through informed everyday consumption, rigorous scholarly discourse, and thoughtful cultural production. In the second block, we explore the relationship between media and contemporary U.S. politics around three themes: diversity, dystopia, and counterpublics. How does contemporary media both reflect and obscure the racial, gender, religious, and economic diversity of American life? How do we evaluate the competing arguments around digital media, which is described as both a forum of resurgent democracy and a tool of authoritarian control? To what extent does the digital media environment demand new philosophies and terms of analysis? To explore these essential questions, we will read a few classic works of media theory (by Roland Barthes, Raymond Williams, Jean Baudrillard) alongside primary texts from, and journalistic commentaries on, the current media ecosystem. Our primary texts will be drawn from diverse forms of popular media, including television commercials, streaming series, "fake news" stories, and digital “think pieces.” The final assignment for this course is a Research Paper, which asks students to devise an original argument about a media-related topic of their choice.
Uren per week	2
Onderwijsvorm	werkcollege
Toetsvorm	essay (“The essay is a research paper.”)
Vaksoort	bachelor jr 2
Coördinator	dr. K.S. Roberts
Docent(en)	dr. K.S. Roberts
Verplichte literatuur	Titel Auteur ISBN Prijs Orange is the New Black, Season 1 Netflix ca. €  10,00
Entreevoorwaarden	Toegang tot het tweede jaar, d.w.z. minimaal 45 ECTS behaald uit de propedeuse van de BA American Studies. NB: Voor het collegejaar 2021-2022 geldt een norm van minimaal 35 ECTS.
Opmerkingen	80% Compulsory attendance in seminars. Students are expected to participate actively in discussions during seminars and to duly carry out all assignments in and outside class.
Opgenomen in	Opleiding Jaar Periode Type Course units for exchange students 2 semester II b keuze Ba American Studies 2 semester II b keuzegroep Ba Open colleges Letteren - semester II b keuze