Communication 614 - Media Theories

This course provides a historical and critical framework for understanding the literature and research traditions within the field of media studies. Starting from the history of "mass society" as a concept in social thought, we will examine media as institutional actors, technological artifacts, systems of representation, and meaningful cultural objects. We will discuss the links between media, culture, and power from a broad range of perspectives, including political economy, media effects, cultural studies, racial capitalism, postcolonialism, and technology studies. We will read media theories not only as a form of critique but also as a framework for constructing future research questions.

Open to Doctoral Communication students only. Enrollment in the Communication PhD Program, or a graduate student at UMass by permission of the instructor.