Spring 2018 - IAT 206W D100
Media Across Cultures (3)
Class Number: 4699
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Jan 3 – Apr 10, 2018: Tue, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Surrey -
Exam Times + Location:
Apr 18, 2018
Wed, 12:00–3:00 p.m.
SurreyApr 18, 2018
Wed, 12:00–3:00 p.m.
Surrey
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Instructor:
Niranjan Rajah
nrajah@sfu.ca
1 778 782-9034
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Prerequisites:
completion of 18 units
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
Introduces a discursive framework for media, design and cultural interfaces enabling students to interpret, negotiate, and engage with new media with an awareness of the significance of cultural and contextual difference. Assessment is based on written and project work. Writing/Breadth-Humanities.
COURSE DETAILS:
This course develops a discursive framework and introduces media practices from many cultural settings. We begin with a characterization of 'new media', an overview of relevant historical, theoretical and critical approaches including post-modern, post-colonial theory, new media history, questions of access and democracy in the context of globalization. We will examine case studies from different contexts such as mainstream media art, Japanese new media to Indian interface design, community computing and Islamic networking. Throughout the course, we will engage in a dialogue that will include your personal reflections, arguments and perspectives.
Topics Will Include:
- What is New Media?
- Interface, Community and Media as Message
- Postmodernism and Postmodernity
- Orientalism and Postcolonial Theory
- New Media Historiography
- Globalization and the Digital Divide
- Numerous case studies, for example (subject to change):
- Tradition in Japanese New Media - Anime
- Culturally Reflective Computing in India
- Community Computing, Crossing the Digital Divide
- Islam in the Digital Era
- Globalization and culturally hybrid mediations
COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:
The aim of this course is to help you develop an understanding of the cultural and social specificity of forms, contents, contexts at the junction of art, design, culture and technology. After finishing this course, you will be able to:
- Understand and reiterate key critical and theoretical approaches.
- Apply these approaches across a range of culturally-specific new media case studies.
- Synthesize the approaches and case studies to develop a position on the utility of a new discursive framework for media practices in a global context.
- Critically assess major concepts and apply them to your own practice.
This course explores new media as culture. At the completion of this course, you will have gained an ability to interpret, negotiate and engage with new media in diverse settings, with an awareness of the significance of cultural difference.
Grading
- Exercises and Milestone Deliverables 50%
- Project Draft 20%
- Final Project 30%
Materials
MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:
All required readings and resources will be provided.
Registrar Notes:
SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.
Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS