Universität Wien
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124263 KO Critical Media Analysis (2012S)

Reading the Online Fashion System: Critical Perspectives on Fashion Blog Culture

6.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 12 - Anglistik
Continuous assessment of course work

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 30 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Tuesday 13.03. 10:00 - 12:00 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Tuesday 20.03. 10:00 - 12:00 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Tuesday 27.03. 10:00 - 12:00 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Tuesday 17.04. 10:00 - 12:00 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Tuesday 24.04. 10:00 - 12:00 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Tuesday 08.05. 10:00 - 12:00 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Tuesday 15.05. 10:00 - 12:00 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Tuesday 22.05. 10:00 - 12:00 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Tuesday 05.06. 10:00 - 12:00 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Tuesday 12.06. 10:00 - 12:00 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Tuesday 19.06. 10:00 - 12:00 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Tuesday 26.06. 10:00 - 12:00 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

We live in a culture that is increasingly governed by the sort of media, which has distinguished itself from its "traditional" form of representation. Fashion blogs in visual culture can be examined from different social, cultural and communication perspectives within a digital media landscape of constant and rapid (ex)changes of information flow.
Key readings by fashion theorists from Simmel to Steele will be introduced to aid discourses on the politics of gender, race, identity and sexuality of the fashion system off-and online. This will correspond with the analysis of central communication theories, especially blogs as part of a larger field encompassing mobile media and what is referred to as Web 2.0.
Methodologies of virtual ethnography and qualitative online research theory will be discussed and applied to serve as a tool for critical media analysis.

Assessment and permitted materials

In-class attendance, participation and preparation, presentation, final essay.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

This course aims to prepare students for a critical reading and analysis of cultural and media studies texts, with a focus on key fashion theories (developing media literacy); to understand the processes within the fashion system and its social and economic significance; and provide tools, methods and concepts for an understanding of how fashion trends emerge historically and at present in the age of information technology and mobile media.
Another central goal is an understanding of key concepts and theories of blog cultures within the field of new media studies through familiarization of select readings. The course will encourage students to develop critical and analytical awareness of cultural and social issues found in the online realms. Additionally, this course will provide ways of utilizing research methods taken from virtual ethnography, to apply for individual research projects and relevant cultural and media studies texts.

Examination topics

Small-group discussions will follow a short introduction to the given topic from the regular set readings. Students are expected to prepare for each class, which may include in-class tasks, presentations, and written text analyses of designated readings.

Reading list

Barnard, M. (2002) (2nd ed.). Fashion As Communication. London and New York: Routledge.
Bruns, A. and Joanne Jacobs (2006). Uses of Blogs. New York: Peter Lang Publishing.
Clarke, D. B., Doel, M. A. and Housiaux, K. L. (2003). The Consumption Reader, London: Routledge.
Hine, C. (2008). The Sage Handbook of Online Research Methods. London: Sage.
Jenkins, H. (2006a). Fans, Bloggers, And Gamers: Exploring Participatory Culture. New York and London: New York University Press.
Kawamura, Y. (2005). Fashion-ology: An Introduction to Fashion Studies. Oxford and New York: Berg.
Lynch, A. and Strauss, M. D. (2007). Changing Fashion: A Critical Introduction to Trend Analysis and Meaning, Oxford and New York: Berg.
Rettberg, J. W. (2008). Blogging. Cambridge: Polity Press.
Vinken, B. (2005). Fashion Zeitgeist: Trends and Cycles in the Fashion System. Oxford and New York: Berg.
Welters, L. and Lillethun, A. (2007). (Ed.) The Fashion Reader. Oxford and New York: Berg.

Association in the course directory

Studium: Diplom 343, UF 344, BA 612
Code/Modul: Diplom 426/428, 436/438, 526/528, 536/538, 721-723, UF 4.2.5-426, BA07.3
Lehrinhalt: 12-4260

Last modified: We 09.09.2020 00:22