Media, Technology and Society

This course examines the implications of media and communications technologies for personal, interpersonal, public and political life. The course begins with theoretical perspectives from sociology, science and technology studies (STS) and media/communications studies. These are used to explore how existing social structures have been, and continue to be, altered and reinforced by innovations and revolutions in media and communications technologies. It also examines how such technologies have developed within, and changed in response to, social changes. The content spans issues of power, publics, economic systems, regulation, political structures, media institutions, interpersonal relationships, and identity processes.