Interdisciplinary Topics Course (202-0-70)
Topic
Introduction to Digital Culture
Instructors
Heather Jaber
Meeting Info
Northwestern Qatar Room 3-203: Tues, Su 10:00AM - 11:15AM (AST)
Overview of class
This course offers an overview of fundamental and emerging debates in digital culture by combining interdisciplinary perspectives from the humanities and social sciences. It introduces concepts like abundance, algorithms, networked culture, and surveillance and incorporates discussions of contemporary artifacts like memes, GIFs, influencers, podcasts, and live streaming. It also revisits theoretical frameworks like affordances, intertextuality, infrastructure, genre, and others, paying special attention to the circulation of ideas, communities, and practices online and examining the structures which shape their movement. These ideas are examined through transnational case studies to explore the way that digital cultures intersect national and sociocultural boundaries, with an emphasis on Global South contexts. Students will have working knowledge of the vocabulary and frameworks needed for the study of digital culture, while also gaining the tools to mindfully consider ethical issues in the field. The course is structured to include lecture, discussion, guest speakers, and workshops.
Registration Requirements
- Prerequisites: None
- Open to first-year students and sophomores
- Open for CrossâRegistration
Enrollment Requirements
Enrollment Requirements: NUQ: Seats are reserved for Sophomore and Freshmen only.