Anthropology of Media

Catalog description

Using anthropological theory and principles, this course gives students an overview of the effects that mass media have on human societies, both industrialized and non-industrialized, as well as societies that are “developed” and “developing.” It covers popular and scientific depictions of non-Western versus Western societies as well as media use cross culturally. It includes a brief overview of basic anthropological concepts (so that an anthropology background is not required) and outlines a basic framework with which we can use these to understand media. Students learn how anthropologists have used media technologies to study human cultures. The course also looks at media use by indigenous peoples and other traditional anthropological subjects.