Digital Media

Academic year 2011-12

Date last modified

23-4-2012 1:29

Period

Period 2

Startdate:

31-Oct-11

Enddate:

23-Dec-11

Code

HUM2022

ECTS credits

5.0

Organisational unit

University College Maastricht

Coordinator

K. Wenz

Description

This course deals with the broad field of digital media and will have a specific focus in the second part of the course on digital aesthetics. We will discuss main concepts that are the basis of the discourse on digital media as interactivity, modularity, simulation etc. The broad field of digital media from the internet (web, chats, online games e.g.), but also digital literature and art will be introduced. Digital media have been described as being interactive, multimedial, integrative – as they integrate older analogue media and are able to simulate them on the basis of the digital code. Their integrative power as well as the possibility of connection and networking opened discussions on their impact on our culture. It can be shown that the invention of a new medium in history always led to a discussion of its function and its place in the media system. These discussions, however, are usually quite general and do not take into account that we are dealing with a multiplicity of new forms that are all made possible by the advent of the computer. Starting from a general approach to digital media and a debate on virtual communities and the digital divide, we will then focus on a more precise and concrete discussion of single digital media. As the computer integrates former media we are now confronted with new forms that can be seen in the tradition of former media but arise new questions as they use the computer for their production and reception.

Goals

• To familiarize students with the diverse themes relevant for digital culture.

Instruction language

Prerequisites

Recommended literature

Teaching methods

PBL
PRESENTATION(S)
LECTURE(S)
ASSIGNMENT(S)
PAPER(S)

Assessment methods

FINAL PAPER
ATTENDANCE
PARTICIPATION
WRITTEN EXAM
ORAL EXAM
TAKE HOME EXAM

Key words