General Course Information

ST: Digital Aesthetics – Spring 2016 – MSCR 3210:01 CRN#36836
Class: MR11:45am – 1:25pm (Kariotis Hall 204)
Course Prerequisites: MSCR 1220

N.B. This syllabus functions very much like a living document and the course website will reflect updates or changes to the syllabus, assignments, etc. The course syllabus provides a general plan for the course and deviations may be necessary. Thus, check the website regularly.

Course Description

“If at first you don’t succeed, failure may be your style.” —Quentin Crisp

This course explores digital aesthetics through the investigation of a specific question: what do we learn about digitality when we examine the aesthetic form of audiovisual media and technologies when they fail? To answer this question, this course will ask you to reframe normative assumptions about failure (as an experience with or judgment about unsuccessful execution or inadequacy, or, more broadly, as a definitive problem to overcome). In doing so, this course will allow us to expand our understanding of digital aesthetics beyond an over-simplified list of tools, techniques, or technological operations used to produce audiovisual media.

During the course, we will read about aesthetics, digitality, media, and technology from a range of disciplinary and theoretical perspectives (including film studies, object-oriented philosophy, phenomenology, platform studies, queer theory, software studies, sound studies, speculative realism). We will explore topics ranging from the ontology of the (digital) photograph to the fantasy of sonic fidelity; from our ability to acknowledge the value of mediated “noise” to pixelization as a critique of our desire for visual mastery; and, from logics of code and virality to our experiences with unintentional audiovisual glitches. Course readings and topics will be paired with media, which students will screen/explore in and outside the classroom.

Course Objectives

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

  • Define key terms, concepts, and theories fundamental to the study of digital media aesthetics; and, demonstrate the ability to employ these terms, concepts, and theories within class discussion, presentations, and academic writing.
  • Conduct research specific to the study of digital media aesthetics.
  • Engage in critical analyses about media based upon a range of theoretical frameworks.
  • Plan, write, revise, and present an original argument about digital media aesthetics, which should pursue a research question, proceed in an orderly fashion, engage smartly with theoretical readings and concepts, and rely on precise and relevant analysis of a media object.

The critical, argumentative, and written skills gained in this course are those required for upper-level courses as well as for other critical engagements with the world.

 

Required Texts

  • Readings, available online.
  • Course screenings (held during class unless otherwise noted).

N.B. This course will contain materials some students may find offensive (e.g. controversial readings and/or media clips with foul language, nudity, sexual scenes, etc.). Review the syllabus carefully to determine your commitment to the course and the required readings/screenings.

Printable Syllabus (original version without web updates)