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FS3522: MEDIA ARCHAEOLOGY AND HISTORIOGRAPHY A (2015-2016)

Last modified: 25 Mar 2016 11:39


Course Overview

This course will explore theories of media archaeology and visual historiography across the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. We will consider various media formations alongside scholarly responses to these questions. Readings will include Wendy Hui Kyong Chun, Jonathan Crary, Lisa Gitelman, Tom Gunning, Katherine Hayles, Erkki Huhtamo, Matthew Kirschenbaum, Friedrich Kittler, Vivian Sobchack, Paolo Cherchi Usai, and Siegfried Zielinski (among others).

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 3
Term Second Term Credit Points 30 credits (15 ECTS credits)
Campus Old Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Katherine Groo

Qualification Prerequisites

None.

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

Course Aims

1. Introduce the field of media archaeology and visual historiography.
2. Analyse the historicity of diverse media.
3. Examine archival practices and theories.

Main Learning Outcomes

Students will develop knowledge and understanding of:


1. key concepts and issues in media archaeology, archive theory, and historiography.
2. the relationship between visual artefacts and historicity.
3. significant works and movements in audio-visual culture from around the world and across the twentieth and twenty-first  centuries.

Students will develop the ability to:


1. engage in critical thinking.
2. identify key claims and summarize arguments.
3. use appropriate research methodologies and synthesise ideas drawn from a variety of sources.
4. read images closely, identifying patterns (repetitions, developments, sites of difference and disunity).
5. engage with the process of learning in a constructive and self-motivated fashion.
6. participate in reflective discussion, responding with evidence in measured fashion to other points of view
7. write clearly and construct coherent arguments.

Course Content

What kind of artefact is the moving image? The photograph? The digital file? What kind of history do these artefacts allow (or encourage) us to write? How are visual artifacts stored? And why are they sometimes discarded? This course will explore theories of media archaeology and visual historiography across the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. We will consider various media formations alongside scholarly responses to these questions. Readings will include Wendy Hui Kyong Chun, Jonathan Crary, Lisa Gitelman, Tom Gunning, Katherine Hayles, Erkki Huhtamo, Matthew Kirschenbaum, Friedrich Kittler, Vivian Sobchack, Paolo Cherchi Usai, and Siegfried Zielinski (among others).

Further Information & Notes

Available only to students in MA Film & Visual Culture, Programme Year 3. This course may not be included as part of a graduating curriculum with Media Archaeology and Historiography B. It will be available in session 2016/17 and in alternate sessions thereafter.

Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

1st Attempt

Essay 1 (2,000-2,500 words) (30%)
Essay 2 (3,000-3,500 words) (50%)
Blog Participation (10%)
Seminar Assessment (10%)

Resit

1 research essay (100%)

Formative Assessment

As part of their seminar participation, students will contribute short responses to a group blog. These responses will be used to track students' engagement with the readings and films as well as to gauge their preparedness for the summative forms of assessment.

Feedback

Students will receive feedback on their short responses; both of their essays; and their seminar participation.

Course Learning Outcomes

None.

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