Media Studies 2.0
1st Edition
Published on 21. March 2014
214 pages
978-1-136-18607-3 (ISBN)
Description
Media Studies 2.0 offers an exploration of the digital revolution and its consequences for media and communication studies, arguing that the new era requires an upgraded discipline: a media studies 2.0.
The book traces the history of mass-media and computing, exploring their merger at the end of the twenty-century and the material, ecological, cultural and personal elements of this digital transformation. It considers the history of media and communication studies, arguing that the academic discipline was a product of the analogue, broadcast-era, emerging in the early twentieth century as a response to the success of newspapers, radio and cinema and reflecting that era back in its organisation, themes and concepts.
Digitalisation, however, takes us beyond this analogue era (media studies 1.0) into a new, post-broadcast era. Merrin argues that the digital-era demands an upgraded academic discipline: one reflecting the real media life of its students and teaching the key skills needed by the twenty-first century user. Media 2.0 demand a media studies 2.0
This original and critical overview of contemporary developments within media studies is ideal for general students of media and communication, as well as those specifically studying new and digital media.
The book traces the history of mass-media and computing, exploring their merger at the end of the twenty-century and the material, ecological, cultural and personal elements of this digital transformation. It considers the history of media and communication studies, arguing that the academic discipline was a product of the analogue, broadcast-era, emerging in the early twentieth century as a response to the success of newspapers, radio and cinema and reflecting that era back in its organisation, themes and concepts.
Digitalisation, however, takes us beyond this analogue era (media studies 1.0) into a new, post-broadcast era. Merrin argues that the digital-era demands an upgraded academic discipline: one reflecting the real media life of its students and teaching the key skills needed by the twenty-first century user. Media 2.0 demand a media studies 2.0
This original and critical overview of contemporary developments within media studies is ideal for general students of media and communication, as well as those specifically studying new and digital media.
Reviews / Votes
"Media Studies 2.0 well repays a close reading and should be on the reading list of everyone teaching media. Merrin writes well and makes his points both seriously and entertaingly, a commendable combination."Paul A. Soukup, S.J., Santa Clara University, Communication Research Trends
"For thoughtful, clearly articulated reasons, and with a deep understanding of the history of media theories and practices, William Merrin makes a powerful argument that 'media studies' is in need of dramatic disruption. Media Studies 2.0 offers students and their tutors a fruitful vision of how to engage with today's complex digital media systems."
David Gauntlett, Professor of Media and Communications, University of Westminster
"Merrin's Media Studies 2.0 brings media to life and is the provocation that will force a real rethink in the field by students and scholars alike, and rightly so."
Andrew Hoskins, Interdisciplinary Research Professor, University of Glasgow
"William Merrin's Media Studies 2.0 provides a rethinking of the discipline of media studies by arguing that the digital transformation of older media forms and emergence of new media requires developing innovative forms of media studies that engage contemporary changes in media, social practices, and the shift to a digitized culture. Clear, provocative, and engaging, Merrin provides many keen insights into the new media matrix and makes clear the need to reconstruct media studies to respond our ever-evolving proliferation of new media and communications practices."
Douglas Kellner, George F. Kneller Philosophy of Education Chair, University of California, Los Angeles
"Merrin's Media Studies 2.0 works hard to offer a new account of the history (and prehistory) of media studies and it raises some interesting historical, theoretical and technological issues along the way. It is a controversial book, but one which should prove to be a valuable read for undergraduate students.
Ben Taylor, Principal Lecturer in Media & Cultural Studies, Nottingham Trent University
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
File size
2,25 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-136-18607-3 (9781136186073)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Person
William Merrin is an Associate Professor in Media Studies at Swansea University, with research interests in media theory, digital media and culture and media history. He is the author of Baudrillard and the Media (2005) and co-editor of Jean Baudrillard: Fatal Theories (Routledge, 2008).
Content
Introduction: 'Media Studies Gone Wrong' 1. Two Trajectories: The Rise of Mass Media and Computing 2. The Material Revolution: Becoming Digital 3. The Ecological Revolution: Convergence and Hybridity 4. The Cultural Revolution: The Post-Broadcast Era 5. The Me-Dia Revolution: The Second Reformation 6. Mass Media Studies: The Rise of Duck Science 7. The Emperor's Old Clothes: Why Media Studies Didn't Work 8. Upgrading the Discipline: Media Studies 2.0 9. The 21st Century Discipline: User Studies and the Productive Turn 10. Open-Sourcing Knowledge: Towards a University 2.0 11. Conclusion: 'Shit Just Got Real' Bibliography
