Bergen, November 14-17, 2006.

Technology and the Public Sphere


Venue and organizers
Keynote speakers
Paper requirements and study groups
Schedule
Reading list

The relationship between media technologies and the public sphere is increasingly important. We will explore it theoretically and empirically during four days of intense academic activity.

 

 

 

 

Study: Before the Bergen event we will close-read three seminal theorists. John Dewey was an American pragmatist who wrote about technology and the public sphere in the 1880s to 1930s. Marshall McLuhan was the hyper-sensitive medium theorist with oracle-status, writing in the 1950s to 1980s. Jürgen Habermas is the acclaimed wise man of the European public sphere, and has theorized its role in civil society since the 1960s. A range of articles from contemporary writers will also be discussed, among them James Carey, Chantal Mouffe and Graham Murdock.

Discuss: In Bergen we will discuss the main topics during plenary sessions and debates, in parallel panel sessions and study groups, and in the evenings. Professor Andrew Feenberg (Canada),  professor Brian Winston (UK) and professor Peter Dahlgren (Sweden) have confirmed their presence during the course. They will give plenary lectures and take part in discussions.

Write: All students must write papers related to our topics. A first draft must be written before November 10th, and after reviews and critique during the seminar, the final version should be handed in by January 10, 2007. The course gives 8 ECTS points for the participants, and a diploma will be issued for those who complete.

Contact: Lars.Nyre@infomedia.uib.no