Category Archives: History and Theory

Benjamin and Nichols

This week we will be discussing Benjamin’s famous article, “The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction,” and Nichols’s refiguring of the article, “The Work of Culture in the Age of Cybernetic Systems.” Both can be obtained via … Continue reading

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The Printing Press

Starting this week we will be turning to looking at theorists who have attempted to understand the way technology (as in specific technical artifacts) change media representation. First up is Eisenstein and the printing press. I will talk about the … Continue reading

Posted in Discussion, History and Theory | 14 Comments

Remediation Thursday

Thursday we will be discussing Bolter & Grusin’s book Remediation. You should read Part 1, and Part 3 as it is in these two chapters that they lay out the central argument. In Part 2 they look at several different … Continue reading

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January 29-Ong/McLuhan and Representation

On Thursday we will continue our discussion about media as representation by turning to Ong and McLuhan. You should read the “Introduction,” “Chp 1: The Orality of Language” and “Chp 4: Writing Restructures Consciousness” (all of eReserve) You should also … Continue reading

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Thursday-On Representation

On Thursday we will be talking about two important works in the “theory of representation.” Begin by reading Plato’s Phaedrus. This can be found in The Dialogues of Plato. Note: You only need to read Phaedrus, the whole book is … Continue reading

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Welcome to History and Theory of Emerging Media

Welcome to ATEC 6V81, The History and Theory of Emerging Media. The title for this course is a bit deceptive, as it is not a history course, but rather the history of the theory. It is in fact not even … Continue reading

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Working on the Syllabus

Okay, below is the working version of the syllabus for next semester. The course is far more about theory than history despite the fact that both words appear in the title. The course is supposed to function as an introduction … Continue reading

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First Post

This blog is now for History and Theory of Emerging Media, ATEC6V81, Spring ’09. To clear up any confusion the class is worth 3 credits. More will be posted soon here re: syllabus and readings, in case you should want … Continue reading

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