MGC3/S14 Mediated Participations 5 cr

• Mon 2.11. 12-16, P723 (Porthania)
• Tue 3.11. 12-16, P722 (Porthania)
• Wed 4.11. 12-16, lecture room 6 (univ. main building)
• Thu 5.11. 12-16, P722 (Porthania)
• Fri 6.11. 12-16, Unioninkatu 37, seminar room 1.

25 students at the most will be accepted to the course. Preregistration in WebOodi is required: 8.-14.10.2009.

Content

The course focuses on mediated participation, within a democratic ideological framework. The first two lectures focus on the concept of participation, its close connection to democracy and societal power distributions, and the differences between participation, access and interaction. The remaining lectures can be divided in three parts, respectively focusing on power and control, identity, and organizational structures. The course is complemented with a series of case studies, including an audience discussion program, access TV, alternative radio, reality TV, digital storytelling, vlogging and interactive film.

Completion

Assignments and course evaluation: Before October 15, participating students are requested to send a one-page essay on where they see the limits and constraints of mediated participation. This has to be emailed to Nico Carpentier (nico.carpentier(at)vub.ac.be). After the lecturers, students will write a 4500-5000 words essay on a specific case study of their choice, analyzing its participatory potential by looking at its power dynamics and identity constructions. Half of the essay will have to consist of a theoretical framework, not overusing the texts provided in the reader. The other half of the article will be on the selected case study. The deadline for this essay will be announced later.