Media Anthropology- Introduction

This course aims at outlining the major perspectives, concepts and research areas prevalent in contemporary media anthropology, and includes an introduction into current debates, important works and authors in this field. The central focus is on “classical” mass media such as radio, TV, journals and newspapers, but also ICT, video and (to a lesser extent) film and small alternative media.
What is the perspective of media anthropology? We are starting from the assumption that today, media shapes the social and cultural construction of (almost) all societies worldwide.  This process is, however, related to the creation of distinctive modes and experiences of media appropriation, production & reception, that are framed by local social and cultural forms, systems of knowledge and power relations. Media are both shaped by global flows of information, images and technologies, as well as local modes of communication, representation, remediation and symbolic expression.

We will discuss these issues on the basis of selected case studies, research data presented by the lecturer as well as contributions by the participants.

Some further ressources,  social media

RSS-Reader:    

Temporary Padlet:  https://de.padlet.com/wall/6o4rvyc4wxrp

A Padlet for additional material, a collection of data and sources on Africa pertinent to the course:  https://de.padlet.com/wall/13lhfbl6vbjf

 News Stand , Cotonou, Benin, 2010