KUN4230 – Art, Technology, Media
Course description
Course content
The course gives and introduction to the relationship between art, media and new technology, as articulated in art practice, media theory and art theory/history. Key focus is the relationship between 20th Century art and so-called "new media" (from photography, film, radio, TV to computers and digital technologies) but older instances of art- and media-historical perspectives will also be discussed. The objective of the course is to give insight into the historical exchanges between art and technological development, as well as critical tools for discussing the concept of the medium and the relationship between art, sensation/perception, visuality and mediation. The course will also function as an introduction to the field of media aesthetics. Master students are expected to contribute more in-depth studies of these topics.
Learning outcome
After the completion of the course the student should be able to:
- give an overview of the key texts of media theory on the curriculum and give comparative analyses of the theoretical positions of the authors, from Walter Benjamin and Marshall McLuhan to Friedrich Kittler and Mark Hansen.
- present and give critical analyses of key artworks from the 20th Century`s media-technologically oriented art.
- present the most important technical and aesthetic aspects of 20th century media technologies and discuss how the theoretical and historical literature of the course might inform analyses of new alliances between art and media technology
- present the key critical perspectives from the field of media aesthetics.
Admission to the course
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
Students enrolled in other Master`s Degree Programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
Recommended previous knowledge
Courses on a bacic level from bachelor programs such as Aesthetics, History of Art or Culture Studies.
Overlapping courses
- 10 credits overlap with KUN2230 – Art, Technology, Media.
Teaching
Ca. 27 hours of classes. The classes are a combination of lectures and seminars divided into three-hour long sessions: Two hours of lecture followed by a one hour seminar /group discussion with student presentations. Following the seminars are highly recommended. We expect you to meet prepared for classes and to participate actively.
In order to qualify to the final exam, you must complete these compulsory assignments:
- Compulsory attendance at least 7 out of 9 classes.
- Oral presentation
Additional absence must be justified with documentation to the exam coordinator. Attendance will be taken at every class.
Some teaching materials may be distributed in Fronter.
Access to teaching
A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.
Examination
The examination on KUN4230 is a three day digital home examination.
The examination text must consist of 6-7 pages (each page à 2300 characters without spaces, not including illustrations, notes and reference).
You will take the home exam in Inspera. You must familiarize yourself with the login and submission procedures in timely manner before the submission of assignments. Read more about Inspera below and on the semester page.
For detailed information regarding examinations see Examination information at the Faculty of Humanities.
Language of examination
You may write your examination paper in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.