Special Topics Seminar: Experimental Media History Lab

In this seminar, we will explore a variety of historical media. We will also focus on how histories of media can be produced and complicated using a variety of materials, technologies, and methods that communicate historical research and personal arguments in experimental ways. Structured thematically week to week, and guided by readings that approach media history from different perspectives, the class will combine discussion and debate, historical research and experimental making-based assignments. Students will learn how researchers and theorists have thought about the importance of understanding older media to unlocking new perspectives on our current media environment. In addition, we will analyze how artists and makers have worked with, and been influenced by histories of older technologies to produce critical artworks and texts that present responses to and arguments on urgent topical issues.