PRE-TEST

1. What is communication studies?
I would imagine it is the study of communication- that is the methods, processes and mechanisms involved to enable people to communicate through symbols and/or languages of some sort (including but not limited to f2f interactions, text ie.newspapers, broadcasting via radio, tv, satellite or the internet. I also think it would involve studying how people interpret the information that is communicated in a variety of contexts and subjects (politics/economics/entertainment). I would think this would involve studying journalism, broadcasting and even advertising. Isn’t it media-studies then? Hmm.

2. What is cultural studies?
I think it involves historical precedent and issues but more importantly focuses on contemporary ideologies and topics relating to class, ethnicity, race, religion and gender. All areas of society are encompassed in a holistic study that is both broader and more specific than communication studies politics, feminism, racism, philosophy, literature and critically examines how these topics/issues create and distribute meaning.

3. What is cybercultural studies?
As the world gets flatter due to globalization cyberculture and digital media become part of more people’s lives. The n-genners and digital natives are now members of online communities that essentially act like global villages- bringing a much wider range of perspectives to conversations and online decision making. Therefore, I believe that cybercultural studies involves examining all social trends and political/philosophical issues that are connected with social networks and the Internet. You have highlighted the fact that the internet is removing cultural barriers and this is a fact. From military beginnings to shaping a global society- but should we worried about becoming an eventual mono-culture?
We also need to remember that there is a huge percentage of the world’s population who continue to live ‘offline’ whether by choice or by poverty. How will these people amalgamate with an inevitable global cyberculture?

4. What is media studies?
My husband is a media studies guru and he would articulate it to be the critique of all forms of media- music, movies, theatre and literature as well as how these media are created and/or produced. I think we must also include the impact these media have on society in terms of consumption and generating trends. You’ve asked some good (and dare I say brave?!) questions about the diagrams. I too found them- not so much confusing- but oddly designed. I can see how the information interconnects but I think a different design or use of an alternate graphic organizer would make it more clear, obvious and succinct (perhaps an introductory activity for the next cohort Franc?!, lol).

5. What does new media studies entail?
I think the word ‘new’ in new media studies can be interchanged with ‘digital’. Digital studies examines the interconnectedness between the arts, IT and science. It involves the relationship between technology and culture in the digital environment.

7. What are some of the problems with mapping fields of study?
I think you have highlighted two essential issues with mapping fields of study. The fact that people use different terminology in different ways can lead to unclear communication of ideas. Overlap is possibly negated/minimized if the mapping were done in such a way that these overlapping areas could be conveyed (ie. Venn diagrams)- not always achieveable or ideal but a possible solution.

8. Describe the conceptual differences between technical, contextual, interactionist and hybridity theories of technology.

• Technological determinism is a belief that technology is ‘stand alone’ and can be used for social change
• Contextual theories of technology view technology as interdependent with the factors of culture and society
• Interactionists believe that technology is shaped WITH culture and society
• Hybridity – combines all factors so completely that there are no boundaries between the technology, culture or society