Societal transformation, digital upheaval, digital revolution: terms that one repeatedly encounters in communication science discourse and which mean one thing above all - media are evolving and society is evolving with them. In the context of changing media (communication), the question arises as to what consequences this has for society and especially for the people who live in it. While current perspectives on media change seem to take centre stage in debates, historical perspectives are often neglected. However, a look into the past can answer many prevailing questions and help to unterstand current challenges in communication science:
Why did the introduction of the television as a "window to the world" fundamentally change the relationship between the home and the outside world? To what extent was the Walkman able to significantly shape the identification of an entire youth culture in the 1980s? Or why were media technologies such as the Sony Betamax or Apple's digital assistant Newton unable to establish themselves?
In order to answer these questions, the seminar adresses various theoretical approaches to media change, which especially take up historical perspectives. Using empirical studies on selected media developments (e.g. radio, dual broadcasting system, mobilisation of media, dematerialisation of music, etc.) over the last 100 years, we will discuss how media (communication) is changing in concrete terms and what consequences this has for society, culture and human interaction.
In addition to active participation, students are expected to prepare a presentation in the form of text discussions. The grade is based on a term paper (Hausarbeit).
Please note: The seminar will be held in English.
- Lehrende/r: Jo Marie Dominiak