11 January 2016

In Medias Res: Media, Technology, and Culture

According to Michel Foucault, the “blueprint” of the 20th century was the prison or hospital.  However, we might say that the “blueprint” for the 21st century is the computer network: namely the Internet.  With the technological revolutions of the 21st century, we see the digitalization and informationalization of everything.  Learning to live, think and act within this sort of society is increasingly difficult and requires new diagnostics of culture, politics and the self.  This class will engage with these questions in light of the importance of materiality and embodiment in the community of faith’s ongoing reflection upon Christian life and mission.

ICSD 132301 W16
Instructor: Matt Bernico
Distance

(MWS)

Syllabus 

Required Texts:
Galloway, Alexander R. 2004. Protocol: How Control Exists After Decentralization. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press.
McLuhan, Marshall and Quentin Fiore. 2001. The Medium is the Massage: an Inventory of Effects. Corte madera, CA: Gingko Press.
Sconce, Jeffrey. 2003. Haunted Media: Electronic Presence from Telegraphy to Television. Durham, N.C.: Duke University Press.