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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "COM 311-2"
COURSE NAME: "Digital Media Culture"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2015
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Pier Paolo Sarram
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 11:30 AM 12:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: COM 220
OFFICE HOURS: M-W -5
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
A process called convergence with it’s basis in digitalization -traditional media forms converging into digital formats accessed via computerized equipment— has seen the combination of many existing media into new forms that have challenged many of the original characteristics of each. The course will attempt at first to define the domain of Digital Media, proposing it as the amalgamation of different traditional media forms into new digitally based varieties. Subsequently the course will analyze the various forms which Digital Media has assumed and concentrate on the specific issues –cultural, political, economic, technological and social—that the various forms raise.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of the course students will be able to:

1.   understand and analyze the corresponding influences that traditional media and digital media are having upon each other

2.   recognize the ways in which central and continuing issues surrounding audiovisual media and the contexts in which all media operate are being reshaped by the social, technological, economic and cultural forces present in society today.

3.  recognize the influences that digital media is expressing in the cultural sphere

4.  learn the following critical terms: transliteration, digitization, remediation, hacking, information society, hypertextuality, interactivity, collective intelligence, panopticism
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Midterm 25%
Final Exam 25%
Final Paper 30%
Leading Discussion for Week's Readings 10%
Attendance and Participation 10%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
In accordance with University guidelines.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
SCHEDULE

COURSE SCHEDULE:

 LOGGING ON

Week 1: Introduction: What’s ‘new’ about Digital Media?

Week 2: Digitalization, Convergence and Politics

 PART I: TECHNOLOGIES

Week 3: TV: Cable, Satellite and Digital Technologies

Week 4: Cinema and Music: Digital Film, Sampling and Special Effects

Week 5: The Internet and the World Wide Web

Week 6: Just Gaming: Video Games and the Transformations of Narrative

 PART II: CULTURAL AND SOCIAL ISSUES

Week 7: The Politics Of New Media

Week 8: The Process Of Remediation

Week 9&10: Interactive Audiences

Week 11: Privacy, Surveillance and the Panoptic Sort

PART III: TEXTS

Week 12: Copyright, Peer-To-Peer & Creativity

Week 13: The Impact of Digital Technologies on Aesthetics

Week 14: The Aesthetics Of The Interface

LOGGING OFF

nb. There is not textbook for the class. All reading materials will be distributed through the class blog and will be available in digital format online. Readings include essays by Manuel Castells, P. David Marshall, Henry Jenkins, McKenzie Wark, Guy Debord, Larry Lessig, Bolter & Grusin among others.