Master Class with Nick Couldry: "Theorizing Media as Practice"

This master class explores the theoretical and methodological implications of a new paradigm of media research that Nick Couldry develops in his recent and current work. This paradigm understands media, not as texts or structures of production, but as practice. Drawing on recent moves towards a theory of practice in sociology, this paradigm aims to move beyond old debates about media effects and the relative importance of political economy and audience interpretation, at the same time as moving beyond a narrow concentration on audience practices, to study the whole range of practices that are oriented towards media and the role of media in ordering other practices in the social world. The master class discusses the key advantages of this paradigm in mapping the complexity of media-saturated cultures where the discreteness of audience practices can no longer be assumed.

After an introductory talk by Professor Nick Couldry, three papers by doctoral candidates will be presented. A general discussion of the practice approach will follow.

This master class is primarily directed to doctoral students in Media, Communication and Cultural Studies at Dutch Universities. Interested students of Research Master Programmes in the same area and interested colleagues are also welcome to register.

Registration for masterclass:
-       Deadline for registration is May 30, 2012 (email to e.mueller@uu.nl).
-       Readings for the masterclass will be distributed in advance.
-       Participation in the masterclass is free of charge.
-       For further questions, please contact the organizer of the masterclass dr. Eggo Müller (e.mueller@uu.nl).