Media History

An overview and examination of the role of communications media in society from orality to the internet. This course provides a comprehensive study of communication media and the social and cultural contexts within which they emerged and evolved historically. It considers the ways in which individuals, groups and society use media, and how media forms and content has in turn reflected and influenced society. This course promotes scholarly debate concerning major developments in media history and socio-cultural heritage and legacy. Students will consider contemporary media within a wider historical framework and therefore acquire a better understanding of the impact and implication of mass media within today’s world.