Analog/Digital Cultures 1
Clemens Apprich
Institute of Fine Arts and Media Art, Media Theory
2023W, Lecture and Discussion (VD), 2.0 ECTS, 2.0 semester hours, course number S04795
Description
What are digital cultures? The question is typically answered by reference to social media platforms, online services, or the computer in general. However, despite the ubiquity of digital media technologies in our everyday culture, a lack of knowledge prevails as to what ‘the digital’ actually is. The lecture series poses this seemingly simple, but all the more complex question by interrogating the ‘deep history’ of the digital in relation to non-digital (i.e. analog) cultures. Based on key references from media as well as cultural studies (including feminist and critical race theory, algorithm and critical data studies), we will look into the transition from analog to digital cultures not simply in terms of a linear media change, but rather as a complex, often complicated interweaving between the two – an interrelation which affects the way we think, perceive and act in the world.
This semester the focus will be on the relationship of the mind and the machine with regard to digital media technologies. We will trace some of the history as well as epistemology of digital cultures back to their analog sources. We will discuss topics such as analog computing, binary systems, or neural networks, focusing specifically on early cybernetics’ fascination with the human brain that has since set the agenda in the quest for artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Examination Modalities
Students will take an oral exam, for which they can choose three references from the lecture.
Comments
The lecture will be held in English. A detailed course outline with assigned readings will be made available online.
Further inspiration on the question of what constitutes digital cultures can be found in this interview series.
Contact for questions concerning the lecture: henry.salfner@student.uni-ak.ac.at
Key Words
media theory, medientheorie, media history, mediengeschichte, cybernetics, AI, machine learning, digital cultures, pattern discrimination, diversity
Dates
10 October 2023, 10:00–11:30 Seminar Room 20
17 October 2023, 10:00–11:30 Seminar Room 20
24 October 2023, 10:00–11:30 Seminar Room 20
31 October 2023, 10:00–11:30 Seminar Room 20
07 November 2023, 10:00–11:30 Seminar Room 20
14 November 2023, 10:00–11:30 Seminar Room 20
21 November 2023, 10:00–11:30 Seminar Room 20
28 November 2023, 10:00–11:30 Seminar Room 20
05 December 2023, 10:00–11:30 Seminar Room 20
12 December 2023, 10:00–11:30 Seminar Room 20
09 January 2024, 10:00–11:30 Seminar Room 20
16 January 2024, 10:00–11:30 Seminar Room 20
23 January 2024, 10:00–11:30 Seminar room 35 , "Change of Room"
Course Enrolment
Via online registration
Curriculum Allocation
Art Education: subject kkp (Bachelor): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis 067/003.80
Art Education: subject kkp (Bachelor): Schwerpunkt Digitale Grundbildung (DGB): Wissenschaftliche Praxis 067/020.20
Art Education: subject kkp (additional subject): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis 067/003.80
Art Education: subject dex (Bachelor): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis 074/003.80
Art Education: subject dex (Bachelor): Schwerpunkt Digitale Grundbildung (DGB): Wissenschaftliche Praxis 074/020.20
Art Education: subject dex (additional subject): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis 074/003.80
Transformation Studies. Art x Science (Bachelor): Understand! Transformation: Analog/Digital Cultures, VD (Angewandte) 162/002.29
Transformation Studies. Art x Science (Bachelor): Focus! Transformation Areas: Digital Transformation 162/040.10
TransArts - Transdisciplinary Arts (Bachelor): Theoretical foundations: Theoretical foundations 180/003.01
Expanded Museum Studies (Master): Electives: Media Theory 537/080.20
Media Arts: Specialisation in Transmedia Arts (1. Section): Wissenschaftlich theoretische und historische Grundlagen: Medientheorie, Mediengeschichte 566/108.02
Media Arts: Specialisation in Transmedia Arts (2. Section): Wissenschaft, Theorie und Geschichte : Medientheorie, Mediengeschichte 566/208.02
Media Arts: Specialisation in Digital Arts (1. Section): Wissenschaftlich theoretische und historische Grundlagen: Medientheorie, Mediengeschichte 567/108.02
Media Arts: Specialisation in Digital Arts (2. Section): Wissenschaft, Theorie, Geschichte: Medientheorie, Mediengeschichte 567/208.02
Studies in Art and Culture (Master): Electives Area 2: Media Theory 568/006.11
Cross-Disciplinary Strategies (Master): Study Areas 1-3: Study Area 2: Science and Technology 569/020.02
Design: Specialisation in Communication Design (2. Section): Methodological and Theoretical Basics: Media Theory and Semiotics 577/203.05
Design: Specialisation in Fashion Design (1. Section): Methodological and Theoretical Basics: Free Elective Pool Methodological and Theoretical Basics 584/103.80
Conservation and Restoration (2. Section): Geisteswissenschaften: Kunst- und Kulturgeschichte 588/204.10
Fine Arts (2. Section): Scientific and Research Practice: Media Theory,Art&Knowledge Transfer,Th. of Architecture,Th. and Hist. of Design 605/202.02
Fine Arts (2. Section): Scientific and Research Practice: Free Electives out of Scientific and Research Practice 605/202.80
Design: Specialisation in Applied Photography and Time-based Media (1. Section): Methodological and Theoretical Basics: Media Theory and Communication Theory 626/103.05
Design: Specialisation in Applied Photography and Time-based Media (2. Section): Methodological and Theoretical Basics: Humanities 626/203.02
Cross-Disciplinary Strategies (Bachelor): Science and Technology: Deepening / Application 700/002.20
Co-registration: possible
Attending individual courses: possible