Cognitive Science 0265 - Media and Mobility

Most media - a book as well as a smartphone - are mobile. And mobility increasingly involves media: think GPS and real time bus schedules. Not surprisingly, the previously separate fields of media studies and mobility studies are becoming frequent collaborators. This course will explore this exciting new interdisciplinary area. Our focus will be on such media/mobility examples as wearable media, geomedia (GPS), travel, autonomous and shared vehicles. Students will design and carry out a semester-long project that applies theoretical knowledge to some practical or policy-oriented matter. This might involve, for example, a study of the Five College bus system or the management of traffic flows at a sports venue or observation of airport behavior.

Writing and Research Independent Work In this course, students are expected to spend at least six to eight hours a week of preparation and work outside of class time. This time includes reading, writing, research.