SOLUS is Queen’s Student On-Line University System. You’ll have access to a SOLUS account once you become a Queen’s student. You’ll use SOLUS to register for courses, add and drop courses, update your contact information, view financial and academic information, and pay your tuition.
Culture & Technology
FILM 335/3.0
Research and studies in relations of media, technology, and culture. Critical examination of cultural and communication technologies and the employment of technology within selected examples from film, television, and digital media.
This course shall examine the role played by technology, and especially communications technology, in the 20th and 21st centuries. We shall consider the ways in which not only has technology changed in this time frame, but also how our understanding of the world has changed through technology. Indeed, we will examine whether or not our notions of the world itself can now only be understood through technological mediation and whether it is possible to live an unmediated life. To these ends, we will begin the course with a consideration of key theories and concepts that address the relationship between culture and technology. We will then examine some distinct technologies of the 20th and 21st centuries and see how they have affected our understanding of our world and ourselves. Examples shall be drawn from film, television, and digital media.
Please note: This course is typically offered in the winter term
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Describe technology as expansive and explain how it shapes personal, societal, national, and global spheres
- Identify and engage in a variety of cultural media/texts--theoretical, artistic, and others
- Justify their roles as viewers/consumers/producers of cultural texts, including the ways in which they might be seduced into replicating--or potentially subvert--certain ideologies and power structures
- Research and analyze a topic of interest related to culture and technology, and communicate findings through academic writing.
Description
Research and studies in relations of media, technology, and culture. Critical examination of cultural and communication technologies and the employment of technology within selected examples from film, television, and digital media.
This course shall examine the role played by technology, and especially communications technology, in the 20th and 21st centuries. We shall consider the ways in which not only has technology changed in this time frame, but also how our understanding of the world has changed through technology. Indeed, we will examine whether or not our notions of the world itself can now only be understood through technological mediation and whether it is possible to live an unmediated life. To these ends, we will begin the course with a consideration of key theories and concepts that address the relationship between culture and technology. We will then examine some distinct technologies of the 20th and 21st centuries and see how they have affected our understanding of our world and ourselves. Examples shall be drawn from film, television, and digital media.
Terms
Fall 2020
Course Dates:
Sept. 8 - Dec. 7, 2020
Exam Dates:
N/A
Evaluation
43% - Mastery Questions (x2)
30% - Group Presentation
25% - Research Paper
2% - Participation
** Evaluation Subject to Change **
Live Sessions
This course has required live sessions (e.g. webinars, synchronous activities). Please consult the Timeline in the first week of class.
Instructor
Professor Philippe Gauthier (philippe.gauthier@queensu.ca)
Textbooks and Materials
ASO reserves the right to make changes to the required material list as received by the instructor before the course starts. Please refer to the Campus Bookstore website at http://www.campusbookstore.com/Textbooks/SearchEngine/ to obtain the most up-to-date list of required materials for this course before purchasing them.
Required Textbook
- Andrew Utterson, ed. Technology and Culture, The Film Reader (Routledge, 2005)
- Other listed readings will be made available through the onQ course site.
Time Commitment
Students can expect to spend approximately 9 hours per week on study/practice and online activity for this course.
Course Resources
About SOLUS
About OnQ
onQ is Queen's online learning platform. You'll log into onQ to access your course. All materials related to your course—notes, readings, videos, recordings, discussion forums, assignments, quizzes, groupwork, tutorials, and help—will be on the onQ site.
About Credit Units
Queen’s courses are weighted in credit units. A typical one-term course is worth 3.0 units, and a typical two-term course is worth 6.0 units. You combine these units to create your degree. A general (three-year) BA or BSc requires a total of 90 credit units.
Computer Requirements
To take an online course, you’ll need a high speed internet connection as well as a microphone and speakers to be able to watch videos, hear sounds, and participate in interactive online activities. A webcam is recommended but not necessary.
System Requirements:
Computer Specifications
- Windows 8.1 or newer
- OSX 10.13 (High Sierra) or newer
- Dual Core 2 GHz processor
- 4 GB RAM
- Soundcard
- USB Headset
- Webcam
Supported Browsers
- Chrome (preferred - latest version)
- Firefox (latest version)
- Safari is not recommended as it causes several known issues in onQ
- Edge is not recommended as it causes several known issues in onQ
Internet Connection
- Wired high speed access: Cable or better
- Wifi is not recommended
Java
- Latest version
Media Player
- Flash (latest version)
Adobe Reader
- Latest Version
Dates/Deadlines
The deadlines for new applications to Queen’s Arts and Science Online courses are in our Upcoming Application Dates section.
Grading Scheme
The information below is intended for undergraduate students in the Faculty of Arts and Science. Academic Regulations in other Faculties may differ.
| Letter Grade | Grade Point |
| A+ | 4.30 |
| A | 4.00 |
| A- | 3.70 |
| B+ | 3.30 |
| B | 3.00 |
| B- | 2.70 |
| C+ | 2.30 |
| C | 2.00 |
| C- | 1.70 |
| D+ | 1.30 |
| D | 1.00 |
| D- | 0.70 |
| F | 0.00 |
GPA Calculators
Have your SOLUS grade report handy and then follow the link to the Arts and Science GPA calculators.
How does this affect my academics?
See the GPA and Academic Standing page.
Follow the link above for an explanation of how the GPA system affects such things as the Dean’s Honour List, requirements to graduate, and academic progression.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Grading Scheme
Please follow this link to the FAQ's
Tuition Fees
Tuition fees vary depending when you start, your year, faculty, and program. Fees for Summer Term 2018 first-year Distance Career Arts & Science Domestic students are as follows: for a 3.0-unit course, $685.90; for a 6.0-unit course, $1371.80 See also Tuition and Fees.
Campus Bookstore
All textbooks can be purchased at Queen’s Campus Bookstore.
Non-Queen’s Students
All Queen’s Arts and Science Online courses are open to students at other universities. Before applying as a visiting student, request a Letter of Permission from your home university that states that you have permission to take the course and apply it to your degree. See also Apply.
Academic Integrity
Please see Queen’s policy statement on academic integrity for information on how to complete an online course honestly.
