This module explores the history of the digital media economy and seeks to provide a better understanding of digital media as an object of study and its social, economic and cultural role in developed Western societies. The content of the module revolves around the history of hacking, digital media piracy and peer-to-peer networks. Drawing from this history we explore issues of power, social change, disruption and appropriation. The module also addresses theory that seeks to better understand digital media, mediation and remediation as well as work that explores the role of code as a social agent. Key topics include digital media ownership, surveillance, transmedia viral marketing, convergence, prosumption, copyright and pirate politics.
A sample of topics covered:
* The Hacker Ethic
* Digital Media Economy
* The History of Digital Piracy
* Algorithmic Surveillance
* What is Code?
* Ripping, Remixing and Viral Culture
A sample of topics covered:
* The Hacker Ethic
* Digital Media Economy
* The History of Digital Piracy
* Algorithmic Surveillance
* What is Code?
* Ripping, Remixing and Viral Culture
- Module Supervisor: James Allen-Robertson