| Course Objectives: |
This course explores the past, present and future of communication technologies and their impact on the society and media. It covers analytical perspectives, concepts and theories to understand communication technologies historically and conceptually and to examine radical changes in organization of society, labor and politics, brought about by the recent development in communication technologies and diffusion of digital technologies. It provides various perspectives on the co-construction of society and communication technology, with a recognition that communication technology represents a complex set of practices, norms, and values that both reflect and shape our convictions about personhood, identity, time, class, gender, space, labor, and politics. It also covers the social dynamics and the use of communication technologies. |
| Course Content: |
This course provides a comprehensive analysis of the evolution of communication technologies and their profound influence on societal structures. It begins by addressing foundational concepts such as digital literacy and the digital divide, before tracing the historical trajectory of key innovations from the optical telegraph to contemporary mobile technologies. The course critically examines the role of technology in driving social change, utilizing theoretical frameworks like the network society and global village to understand the social construction of technology. The course also addresses pressing issues including media, political action, and the digital divide, as well as the socio-cultural dynamics of virtual life and online gaming. Through presentations and research projects, students will engage in a critical exploration of the interplay between communication technologies and society.
The teaching methods of the course are project, lecture , reading, fieldwork, collaborative learning, and guest speaker. |
| Week |
Subject |
Related Preparation |
| 1) |
Orientation
|
Course Schedule Review
Orientation
Discuss digital literacy, digital divide
|
| 2) |
Early History of Communication Technologies |
The Optical Telegraph”, Daniel Headrick, “Time, Space and the Telegraph” by James W.Carey, in Communication in history: Technology, culture, society. Routledge. Crowley, D., & Heyer, P. (2015). |
| 3) |
Mass Communication Technologies and Social Construction of Technology |
Robert S. Fortner and Darya Yanitskaya,, (2014) “Theoretical Perspectives on the Social Construction of Technology “ in the Handbook of Media and Mass Communication Technology, John Wiley&Sons |
| 4) |
Advent of Communication Technologies |
Documentary film : Lo and Behold : Reveries of the Connected World by Werner Herzog |
| 5) |
The Mobile Phone and...Smartphone, identity, democracy |
Sherry Turkle, “Always-On/Always-On-You: The Tethered Self” in Handbook of Mobile Communication Studies 2008 |
| 6) |
Political actions and Media |
Howard Rheingold, “Mobile Media and Political Collective Action” in Handbook of Mobile Communication Studies 2008 |
| 7) |
Midterm |
Exam |
| 8) |
Oral presentation of the research proposal and feedback in the classroom (10 minutes for each student).
|
Presentation I
|
| 9) |
Communication Technology, Innovation, Social Change and Future |
Ingeborg Astrid Kleppe and James Hosea, “Connecting local food to global consumers via the Internet” in Information and Communication Technologies in Rural Society. Being Rural in a Digital Age.
Marsaili Macleod, “Revitalising rural Europe’s indigenous languages” in Information and Communication Technologies in Rural Society. Being Rural in a Digital Age.
|
| 10) |
Theories of Communication Technologies: Network Society and Global Village |
Castells, M. (2007). Communication, power and counter-power in the network society. International journal of communication, 1(1), 29.
Mcluhan, M.(1964) Understanding Media, the extensions of man, Newyork: McGraw-Hill
|
| 11) |
Communication Technology and Digital Divide |
Antonelli, C. (2003). The digital divide: understanding the economics of new information and communication technology in the global economy. Information Economics and Policy, 15(2), 173-199..
Viviana Rojas, Joseph Straubhaar, Debasmita Roychowdhury, and Ozlem Okur (2004)“Communities, Cultural Capital, and the Digital Divide” in Media Access. Social and Psychological Dimensions of New Technology Use
Additional Readings: Linda A. Jackson Gretchen Barbatsis Frank A. Biocca Alexander von Eye Yong Zhao Hiram E. Fitzgerald ,(2004) “Home Internet Use in Low-Income Families: Is Access Enough to Eliminate the Digital Divide? In in Media Access. Social and Psychological Dimensions of New Technology Use
|
| 12) |
Living a Virtual Life and Games |
Kolo, C., & Baur, T. (2004). Living a virtual life: Social dynamics of online gaming. Game studies, 4(1), 1-31.
Additional Reading: T.L. Taylor(2006) , Play between Worlds. Exploring Online Game Culture, the MIT Press
Terms and Conditions May Apply- Netflix documentary
|
| 13) |
Final Project Presentations
|
Oral presentation of the research project in the classroom and debate. |
| 14) |
Final Project Presentations
|
Oral presentation of the research project in the classroom and debate. |
| |
Program Outcomes |
Level of Contribution |
| 1) |
Possess advanced level theoretical and practical knowledge supported by textbooks with updated information, practice equipments and other resources. |
2 |
| 2) |
Interpret and evaluate data, define and analyze problems, develop solutions based on research and proofs by using acquired advanced knowledge and skills within the field. |
4 |
| 3) |
Inform people and institutions, transfer ideas and solution proposals to problems in written and orally on issues in the field.
- Share the ideas and solution proposals to problems on issues in the field with professionals and non-professionals by the support of qualitative and quantitative data. |
5 |
| 4) |
Evaluate the knowledge and skills acquired at an advanced level in the field with a critical approach.
-Determine learning needs and direct the learning.
-Develop positive attitude towards lifelong learning. |
3 |
| 5) |
Act in accordance with social, scientific, cultural and ethic values on the stages of gathering, implementation and release of the results of data related to the field.
- Possess sufficient consciousness about the issues of universality of social rights, social justice, quality, cultural values and also, environmental protection, worker's health and security. |
3 |
| 6) |
Take responsibility as a team member in order to solve unexpected complex problems faced within the implementations in the field.
- Planning and managing activities towards the development of subordinates in the framework of a project. |
3 |
| 7) |
Organize and implement project and activities for social environment with a sense of social responsibility. |
1 |
| 8) |
Monitor the developments in the field and communicate with peers by using a foreign language at least at a level of European Language Portfolio B1 General Level. |
3 |
| 9) |
To be able to carry out an advanced work on the field independently and take responsibility. |
3 |