MD-UY 3164W Critical Studies in Media

4 Credits

This course is an introduction to the theoretical discourse used to analyze contemporary media in all of its forms. Students will develop an understanding of the media theories that have had a strong influence on the critical understanding of media over the past 100 years. From Marxism to Postmodernism, students will read original texts, texts that extrapolate from those key works, and general overviews of the field. The texts come from the disciplines of political economy, semiotics, philosophy, media studies, and science fiction. Through class discussions, writing assignments, and creative activities, students’ are expected to demonstrate informed, articulate insights about media and its cultural impact.

Prerequisite(s): Completion of first year writing requirements
Note: Satisfies a humanities and social sciences elective.