FHTW Berlin
Fachbereich 4
Internationale Medieninformatik
KOMM-MED: Kommunikations- und Medientheorien
Sommersemester 2001
| |
FHTW Berlin |
General information
In this course we will be looking at the basics of communication and media theory, mass communication, and communication models. We will cover a broad area of media ranging from print to broadcast media and looking at on-demand and interactive media, as well as looking into media theoretical aspects of text, symbols, pictures, speech, and moving pictures. We will not be able to cover everything - there are complete courses of study that just focus on media theory - but will try and establish some basics and give you a broad overview.
The course meets Tuesdays from 13.45-15.15 in HG 208 and Wednesdays from 8.00-9.30 in HG 125 for lectures.
The instructor is Prof. Dr. Debora Weber-Wulff. My office is on the top floor of the Verwaltungsgebäude, room 802. However, I tend not to be there when people are looking for me, but I read my email religiously. Do not hesitate to contact me by email at weberwu@fhtw-berlin.de if you have any questions.
At the beginning of the semester I will be giving lectures on topics in the area of communication and media theory. I have a list of topics in the schedule that are suitable for preparation and presentation by a student. You may choose one of the topics for giving a 30 minute presentation in English (including questions and answers) on the appointed day. In addition you must submit a written paper (in either English or German) of 10-20 pages. Both the presentation and the paper will be graded, the presentation counts for 40 points and the paper for 60.The papers are due the day of your talk. I expect you to continue to attend the class after your talk. If you miss three lectures you will have to take the exam. If you attend regularly, have given a presentation, and submitted a paper, you do not need to take the exam.
The topics will be distributed in the first lecture. They will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis. If more than one person wants the same topic, a random choice will be made. Should any be left vacant, or you have suggestions of your own for interesting topics, please contact me by email anytime and we will see what can be arranged. You may not submit a paper and then take the exam in order to get a better grade.
Lecture notes may be taken and published in order to obtain 3 extra exam points. I will appoint 1-2 scribes in each lecture, I do not take reservations. The lecture notes must be more than just a different rendering of my slides or the slides of the student speakers and should include links to outside material. They are to be published no later that the week after the lecture on the net, and the URL must be mailed to me. Set up an appropriate directory and use a good name for the page. This link is to information on how to take lecture notes.
The exam will be on Wednesday, July 18, 2001 in the lecture hall unless otherwise posted. The exam will consist of 100 points. Add to your exam or paper and presentation points 3 points for the lecture notes, if you published them. Then look up your number in the grade table to find your grade.
I hope that this course will give you a good overview of the basics of media theory and a good overview of topics in media and communication.