This course examines from a cultural studies approach how new media shape and change representation, ideology and power relations in contemporary culture. It is an investigation of the struggle over meaning, knowledge and power produced by newer forms of media (web sites, virtual worlds, multimedia, computer games, digital video, special effects in cinema and net films, interactive computer installations etc). Analysing whether the newness of new media is really new or just a reformation of what already exists, this course explores what kind of challenge new media have brought to our everyday life and studies if the new forms produce distinctively different contents and audiences. We also look at how new media accentuate the productive dimension of the consumption process and identify the moments of transformation in cultural consumption.
