Welcome to Digital Media: Theory and Practice
In advanced societies like Aotearoa-New Zealand, networked digital media touch almost every aspect of our daily lives, from our morning commute, to our day on the job, to our evening’s entertainment. The pervasive presence of networked digital media in our lives has had far-reaching effects. In the space of just a few short years, it has contributed to major transformations not just in the shape of our everyday experience, but in our labour cultures, political activism, ecological systems, cultural practices and social relationships
This course will use a combination of theory and practice to help you both understand and navigate these transformations. By the end of the course, you should be equipped not just with an understanding of the technological, social, political, and aesthetic specificities of networked digital environments, but with the media literacies and production skills necessary to negotiate those environments critically.
COURSE STAFF
SY TAffel
Course Coordinator and Manawatu Offering Coordinator
Ian Goodwin
Wellington Offering Coordinator
Pansy Duncan
Albany Course Designer
Kevin veale
Distance Offering Coordinator
Yuan gong
Albany Offering Coordinator
Luke anderson
Manawatu Technical Tutor
ilja herb
Wellington and Distance Technical Tutor
andrew korson
Albany Technical Tutor
The first, theory-led section of the course will provide an introduction to some of the affordances, potentials and characteristics of digital media, and review their social, cultural, political and ecological impacts. From algorithmic filter bubbles, to social media and identity, to the economic forms of platform and surveillance capitalism we explore the key ideas and issues surrounding media today. An associated essay assignment will invite you to connect and explore these themes in detail.
PART TWO
In the second, practice-driven section of the course, we move from discussion to critical making. You’ll learn how to produce digital media, from websites to podcasts to video essays. The associated assignment will ask you to employ digital tools and technologies to contribute to conversations about digital culture by making your own media texts. In the process of producing photographic, video and audio work, and building a website to host it, you will showcase your ability to creatively engage with and critically reflect on your immersion in the networked digital environment.
