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2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

COMM3930 Media Philosophy: Technological Dasein

20 creditsClass Size: 48

Module manager: Dr Paul A Taylor
Email: p.a.taylor@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

Module replaces

COMM3110 Contemporary Communications Theory

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module introduces students to contemporary theories of technology and technological society that are deeply critical of the status quo. Martin Heidegger's ground-breaking essay "The Question Concerning Technology" is used to explode what has become known as "the myth of neutrality" - i.e. the notion that it is not the technology but how you use it that is most important. This is shown to be a deeply flawed and naive perspective that continues to dominate most uncritical thinking. Heidegger's work is then further updated with reference to Jean Baudrillard's critical and frequently ironic account of contemporary society's domination by superficial signs rather than more meaningful and more culturally resonant symbols. Students are shown how, despite the rise of complex digital technologies, we routinely live in uniquely one-dimensional times. The module concludes with a detailed look at the work of Slavoj Zizek and his highly entertaining and idiosyncratic application of both Hegelian philosophy and Lacanian psychoanalysis to the current political mediascape. Students are taught to be wary of engaging with the ideology of "I know very well, but even so ..."

Objectives

Students will learn the key features of philosophically-inspired media theory including: Heidegger's seminal philosophical account of technology's cultural impact as a key reference and starting point and the latest developments in media theory.

Students will receive a full introduction to the oeuvres of Jean Baudrillard and Slavoj Žižek as they relate to communications and film studies.

Baudrillard's account of the 4 orders of simulacra is used to trace postmodernity's replacement of the symbol with the sign and to explore the profound social consequences of this development and how it is manifested in various cultural forms – films etc.

Žižek's topical updating of Critical Theory for the contemporary mediascape is explored in order to ask new and innovative questions about the cultural impact of media environments such as cinema and cyberspace.

Learning outcomes
1. Demonstrate understanding of key theories, ideas and debates in media-related philosophy
2. Apply philosophical theories and ideas to the critical analysis of contemporary media texts.
3. Demonstrate understanding of the relationship between theory, criticism and analysis
4. Synthesise complex concepts and ideas in the presentation of an academic essay

Skills outcomes
Critical thinking and textual analysis

Syllabus

An introduction to critical thinking about technology; Martin Heidegger's "The Question Concerning Technology" Essay; Jean Baudrillard's theory of simulation, his theories of signs and symbols, and his conceptualization of contemporary society as a system of objects; Slavoj Zizek's theory of ideology; Zizek's theory of violence - subjective and objective.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	11	2.00	22.00
Private study hours			178.00
Total Contact hours			22.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Students are expected to read and view material related to the module outside taught sessions, consisting both of prescribed books and visual material, and other relevant material discovered through their own research.

Approx breakdown of study time:
Background Reading/Viewing and Essay preparation - 140 hours
Essay writing - 38 hours
An extensive collection of books, journals and DVDs is available in the Edward Boyle Library to support this private study, and this collection is being continually added to.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Detailed class discussions are focused upon both the modules overall themes and essay-specific material in order to monitor students' conceptual progress as the module develops.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	1 x 2,500 - 3,000 word	50.00
Essay	1 x 2,500 - 3,000 word	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

To resit either component, please select an alternative essay question from the module handbook.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 13/02/2018

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