LFU:online

Department of American Studies Department of American Studies

Mag. Dr. Erwin Feyersinger Mag. Dr. Erwin Feyersinger

610010

Discourse/Identitiy: American Cultures: Mediated Lives: Contemporary Society and Digital Culture

PS 2

5

weekly

each semester

English

The ongoing digital revolution radically influences and alters many aspects of contemporary society. New media and social media make novel ways of interaction, cooperation, and communication possible. In this course, we will explore innovative uses and the cultural impact of digital media in art and entertainment (hypertext fiction, flash mobs, alternate reality games), politics (Barack Obama’s presidential campaign, media coverage based on blogs, tweets, and YouTube videos, surveillance cameras), the economy (viral marketing, digital distribution), and social interaction (Facebook, Chatroulette). We will discuss new media theories and critically analyze the contexts and consequences of a rapidly changing mediascape.

Lecture inputs, research, presentations, discussion.

Active participation, assignments, presentation, research paper (10–15 pages).

Course materials and selected primary and secondary sources will be posted on the e-campus