FRS 002 — Sec. 012 — (2 units) — CRN 53600 — W 1:10-3:00 pm — Regency Square TCS Conference Room, 508 2nd Street, Davis
Alternative Media Practices

Instructor: Jesse Drew, Program in Technocultural Studies, College of Letters & Science

Description: New communications have become increasingly central to our informational and cultural environments. Such practices as blogging, file-sharing, list-serv subscribing and podcasting have become standard activities for millions of people seeking news and entertainment beyond the traditional media. This class will analyze these alternative media practices and put them into historical and cultural perspective.

Format: The seminar will meet for two hours each week. The time will be divided between informal lecture presentations, discussion, and student presentations. Reading material will be provided. There is no text for the course. Students will be required to prepare a short paper on a topic to be chosen in consultation with the instructor. Grading: The course grade will be based on the quality of their written paper -- 5 to 7 pages (1/3) and oral presentations (1/3) and on the frequency and quality of their participation in class discussion (1/3).

About the Instructor: Jesse Drew is Associate Director of Technocultural Studies and has been active in alternative media production for over 30 years. His video and multimedia work have been exhibited internationally in many festivals and venues. Recent writings include Technopranks: Carving Out a Message in Electronic Space (Processed World Magazine), and From the Gulf War to the Battle of Seattle: Building an International Alternative Media Network in A. Chandlers and N. Neumark: In At a Distance: Precursors to Art and Activism on the Internet, (MIT Press).