Summary
introduction to communication studies: summary of chapter 7: medium theories
- Course
- Institution
- Book
summary of chapter 7: medium theories, from the course introduction to communication studies, VUB
[Show more]
Connected book
Book Title:
Author(s):
- Edition:
- ISBN:
- Edition:
More summaries for
-
Needing help with (introduction to) communication studies? Here's a full list of the most important concepts and terms!
-
Summary Introduction to Communication Studies
-
introduction to communication studies: summary of chapter 2: approach-paradigm-theory
Seller
Followanaellekermarrec
Reviews received
Content preview
7. Medium theories→ we need to think about new theories, but also not forget the old ones; attention to
complexity, nuance and historical perspective. Leads to fundamental debate regarding
societal change; but beware of hypes, boom and doom, historical amnesia…
- New media technologies; a possible twilight zone, because of the complexity and
multiplicity of the topic, its rapidly moving and uncertain
- Axioms for the new research;
→ technological and societal evolutions not necessarily in parallel
→ what is technologically possible, does not necessarily happen
→ importance of non-technological aspects in take up of media and
communication
→ limited predictability
Approaches; focus on the form of the medium; content is not that important, the form is.
They look into the history in comm technologies and how they contribute to social change.
Each technology can be linked to a certain preference/bias. (eg; you read the newspapers
very differently than you watch television), communication revolutions will lead to social
revolutions.
1) Toronto school
1. Innis: focuses on relationship comm media - social structure on macro level,
argues that the control of time and space is crucial in societal organisation
→ distinction between oral and writing culture
→ distinction between time binding (clay, stone, hand-written manuscripts);
oral cultures, often marked by stability, hierarchy, tradition, religious power →
but very limited in binding space, eg to transfer info to other places
and space binding media (papyrus, paper, radio, television); less sustainable,
fluid, nut much easier to bind space, marked by change, secularisation,
political power
→ not the content of media is important, but their material nature. He linked the
control of dominant form of technology to different groups in society (who has the
power).
→ rise of another dominant medium produces an imbalance that results in new forms
of communication and a new balance/division of power in society → media changes
the social structures in which they are used (=conflict approach)
- Very interested in looking into print culture and what changed after printing
press; individualism (which undermines social structures), more centralised
power, less importance to debate ≈ political economy
1
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller anaellekermarrec. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $4.91. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
Can Stuvia be trusted?
4.6 stars on Google & Trustpilot (+1000 reviews)
53068 documents were sold in the last 30 days
Founded in 2010, the go-to place to buy study notes for 14 years now