Analog/Digital Cultures 1
Clemens Apprich
Institute of Fine Arts and Media Art, Media Theory
2025W, Lecture and Discussion (VD), 2.0 ECTS, 2.0 semester hours, course number S04795
Description
What are digital cultures? The answer usually refers to social media platforms, online services, or computers in general. However, despite digital media technologies being ubiquitous in our everyday lives, there is a general lack of understanding of what 'the digital' actually is. The lecture series addresses this seemingly simple yet complex question by examining the 'deep history' of the digital age in relation to analogue cultures. Drawing on key references from media and cultural theory, including critical algorithms and data studies, we will examine the transition from analogue to digital cultures; not simply in terms of linear media change, but as a complex interweaving of the two that affects the way we think, perceive, and act in the world.
This semester, we will focus on the relationship between the mind and the machine in the context of digital media technologies. We will trace the history and epistemology of digital cultures back to their analogue origins. Topics to be discussed include analogue computing, binary systems, and neural networks. Specifically, we will explore the fascination with the human brain in cybernetics that shaped the pursuit of artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Examination Modalities
Students will take an oral exam at the end of the lecture, for which they can select three references from the lecture material. One reference is the content of one lecture (two texts). Students will then relate the references to something of their own interest (an artwork, a movie, a topic, a book, ...).
Alternatively, they can write a final essay or book review of around 15,000 characters (including spaces, footnotes and quotations, but excluding appendices, references and figures) by the end of the term (deadline: 31 March 2026). The essay or book review should demonstrate critical engagement with at least three references from the lecture.
Comments
The lecture will be held in English. Essays/book reviews can be submitted in either English or German. A detailed course outline with assigned readings will be made available online.
Critical learning environment: Despite different motivations and levels of study, I firmly believe that you are all here to learn. This means that I expect you to be both physically and mentally present. While I will not be keeping an attendance list or forbidding the use of laptops, please remember that a productive learning environment requires your willingness to facilitate it.
If you have questions regarding the structure of the course you can reach out to:
Lydia Baumgartner (sie/ihr) - student assistent
lydia.baumgartner[at]uni-ak.ac.at
Key Words
digital cultures, media theory, medientheorie, media history, analog computing, cybernetics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, media genealogy
Dates
07 October 2025, 10:00–11:30 Seminar Room 20
14 October 2025, 10:00–11:30 Seminar Room 21 , "change of room"
28 October 2025, 10:00–11:30 Seminar Room 21
11 November 2025, 10:00–11:30 Seminar Room 21
18 November 2025, 10:00–11:30 Seminar Room 21
25 November 2025, 10:00–11:30 Seminar Room 21
02 December 2025, 10:00–11:30 Seminar Room 21
09 December 2025, 10:00–11:30 Seminar Room 21
16 December 2025, 10:00–11:30 Seminar Room 21
13 January 2026, 10:00–11:30 Seminar Room 20 , "change of room"
19 January 2026, 09:00–20 January 2026, 17:00, "exams (Weibel Institute, PSK)"
Course Enrolment
From 01 September 2025, 09:00
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 (Enhancements study): 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 (Enhancements study): 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
Kunst- und Kulturwissenschaften (Master): Electives Area 1: Media Theory 568/005.06
Kunst- und Kulturwissenschaften (Master): Electives Area 2: Media Theory 568/006.11
Cross-Disciplinary Strategies (Master): Study Areas 1-3: Study Area 2: Science and Technology 569/020.20
Design: Specialisation in Design and Narrative Media (1. Section): Methodological and Theoretical Fundamentals: Media Theory 576/103.06
Design: Specialisation in Design and Narrative Media (2. Section): Methodological and Theoretical Fundamentals: Media Theory and Semiotics 576/203.05
Design: Specialisation in Communication Design (2. Section): Methodological and Theoretical Basics: Media Theory and Semiotics 577/203.07
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