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Interactive Media & Society (BCI 3) - TFT00074H

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  • Department: Theatre, Film, Television and Interactive Media
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • 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 discuss the socio-cultural impact of film, television, gaming and web-based technologies.

To enable comprehension of the social uses of digital technologies according to gender, race, age, sexuality and social class.

To provide case studies of particular film, television, gaming and web traditions and forms at specific periods and in different social contexts.

Module learning outcomes

At the end of this module you will

Be able to deploy advanced critical thinking to reason about the socio-cultural impact of interactive media.

Understand - in some depth - the development of media technology and interactive media businesses in line with social theory and cultural studies in the 20th and 21st century.

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

Be able to  manage a range of information sources to analyse key issues in interactive media and synthesise a view on their impact on commerce and society

Develop advanced critical skills for analysing digital tools and environments and understanding their roles across contemporary society and media business

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 Chun and Thomas Keenan (eds), New Media, Old Media: A History and Theory Reader: Interrogating the Digital Revolution. London & New York: Routledge, 2005.

Glen Creeber and Royston Martin (eds), Digital Culture: Understanding New Media. Berkshire: Open University Press, 2008.

Nicholas Gane and David Beer, New Media: The Key Concepts. Oxford & New York: Berg, 2008.

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.


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.