Ampersand: Modern Media: The Good, the Bad and the Future I

3 units

This first term of a two-semester course would establish an essential background in media literacy and theory for both traditional mass media and the types of digital, or "new," media which have exploded over the past thirty years of the digital age. Accruing a nuanced understanding of the historic and present-day realities of journalism, publishing, documentary, and news reportage, we will consider the myriad ways in which new media have transformed the landscape of each. Eileen G'Sell will be leading discussion on readings relevant to mass media and new media histories, and assigning short, generative assignments. John R. Green will appear via Zoom to discuss television in the time of 9/11 and the new landscape of documentary. Small class. First-year students only. Credit only.