Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Acquire knowledge about the political economy of media.
- Recognize and analyze the environmental implications of media technologies and infrastructures.
- Investigate and analyze extraction, thermal practices, fabrication, labor and waste in media technologies.
- Create artistic approaches to question unethical practices in digital culture.
Credits: 3
Schedule: 07.09.2020 - 30.11.2020
Teacher in charge (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022): Matti Niinimäki
Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Samir Bhowmik, Matti Niinimäki
Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):
CEFR level (applies in this implementation):
Language of instruction and studies (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022):
Teaching language: English
Languages of study attainment: English
CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD
Content
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
This course is a response to the contemporary discourse of political economy of media and related environmental implications. It tackles the Anthropocene through the lens of media theory, culture and philosophy to understand the geological underpinnings of contemporary media. What are the planetary impacts of technological media? What are the various focuses, entanglements and materialities? The course investigates the topics of extraction, thermal practices, fabrication, labor, and waste as related to cultures of media. Finally, the course examines artistic approaches and methodologies that engage with these materialities, geographies and geologies.
This course is a follow-up from the Archaeology of Media Infrastructures, and consists of close readings of provided literature, class discussions and critical writings.
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
80% attendance and completed assignments are required to pass the course. Short paper based on selected themes as final assignment, and/or artistic projects that demonstrate aspects of the subject.
In-class Discussion: 30% / Documentation (blog): 40% / Final Project / Article: 30%
*Students who stay above 50% will Pass.
Workload
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
- Every student will contribute to the blog. You are expected to post every week before start of class a 1 page text (300 words).
- Read the assigned literature for each class. These can be found from the Syllabus, and as well from myCourses.aalto.fi.
- Annotate and write a 1 page text. This document may have images / video / links etc. The text can be your reflections, examples, projects, ideas etc. as related to the topic and literature of the week. This may also contain the building blocks of your own final project / article whether it may be a piece of writing, visualization or project.
- Final writings must also be posted on the course blog.
- Besides the required documentation, you are free to post anything else related to the subject, that could be useful to you or others.
- Documentation to the blog will hold a 40% weightage for a pass/fail grade. At least 5 posts out of max total of 8.
DETAILS
Study Material
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
All study materials can be found in mycourses.aalto.fi and the course blog: https://blogs.aalto.fi/mediainfrastructures/
Prerequisites
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
Recommended:
- Introduction to Media Art and Culture
- Research Skills for New Media
- Archaeology of Media Infrastructures
SDG: Sustainable Development Goals
9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
10 Reduced Inequality
11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
12 Responsible Production and Consumption
13 Climate Action
- Teacher: Bhowmik Samir
- Teacher: Niinimäki Matti