230577 Theorizing the Digital: From Hypertext to Second Life (S) (WiSe 2007/2008)

In the Second Media Age (Poster), digitality is no longer restricted to the realm of technology, but permeates our perceptions of literature, culture, and identity. In this light, "Theorizing the Digital" will investigate the emergence and future(s) of digital media, from Vannevar Bush's Memex to Web2.0, and from Donna Harraway's "informatics of domination" to the "Furries" Second Life. Authors for course readings include Deleuze and Guattari, Poster, Turkle, Harraway, Landow, Trend, Gee, and Nakamura. In addition, students should be prepared to spend significant time researching online, and to facilitate a session of the seminar (in groups). A course reader will be available mid-December; a mandatory meeting in preparation of the seminar is planned (probably late January).