HSOC-314: Hist & Theory of Media & Tech

Life in the 21st century (especially in Los Angeles) is increasingly dominated by a highly complex media world, whether this be visual representations, forms of labor and the demand to earn a living, the ecological impacts of media technologies, or surveillance, to name only a few aspects. One approach to making sense of this world is through the field of media studies and History & Theory of Media & Technology will ask students to consider what "medias" are and what they do, as well as to consider the connection between medias and socio-economic issues. In this course we will examine key concepts, texts, and art works in media studies, their historical and contemporary contexts, and in terms of their relationship to gender, sexuality, racialization, class, politics, economy, and ecology. By the end of the semester students will have a strong foundation in media studies and will be asked to do a final project that examines a key concept from the course and its social and artistic significance.