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Interactive Media & Society - TFT00016I

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  • Department: Theatre, Film, Television and Interactive Media
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: I
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23

Module summary

This humanities module critically explores key issues related to the use of interactive media in a range of social contexts. Through detailed consideration of the histories, myths, and ideologies associated with certain technologies – as well as those associated with technology in general – we will question ideas of technological determinism and digital utopianism, and interrogate the ways interactive media shape culture, politics, visuality, and identity today.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Autumn Term 2022-23

Module aims

to explore the socio-cultural histories of a wide range of digital technologies

to consider how these technologies shape our lives and expectations in profound ways

to discover how these technologies are never neutral, but instead manifest issues of race, gender, class, and more in ways that are industrially downplayed

Module learning outcomes

Subject content

Demonstrate an ability to use critical thinking to reason about the socio-cultural impact of interactive media.

Gain an understanding of the development of media technology, social theory and cultural studies in the 20th and 21st century.

Become familiar with key issues and ideas in media studies and new media theory

Academic and graduate skills

Demonstrate skills in managing a range of information sources to analyse a relevant domain in interactive media and synthesise a view on its impact in society.

Develop critical skills in analysing digital tools and environments and understanding their roles throughout contemporary society.

Develop research skills, including skills in writing, reading and referencing.

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 30
Essay/coursework 70

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 30
Essay/coursework 70

Module feedback

Students will receive feedback in line with university guidelines.

Indicative reading

Indicative books:

Wendy Hui Kyong Chun, Updating to Remain the Same: Habitual New Media (Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2016)

José van Dijck, The Culture of Connectivity: A Critical History of Social Media (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2013)

Mary Joyce (ed), Digital Activism Decoded: The New Mechanics of Change. New York: IDEA, 2010.

Lev Manovich, The Language of New Media. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2001.

Astra Taylor, The People's Platform. London: Harper Collins, 2014.

Shoshanna Zuboff, The Age of Surveillance Capitalism (London: Profile, 2019)


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.