Master
2025/2026
Mediatization of Memory
Type:
Elective course (Contemporary Media Research)
Delivered by:
Institute of Media
When:
2 year, 2 module
Open to:
students of one campus
Instructors:
Irina Dushakova
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
3
Course Syllabus
Abstract
The course is devoted to the ways of memory processing in the media and is focuses around two dimensions: individual / collective and discursive / material. During the course, students will be offered theoretical resources for understanding current rise of memory studies as well as examples of new media projects in AR, VR, with the involvement of users or as new technologies in institutions traditionally working with memory (museums).The course is built around the concept of deep mediatization (A. Hepp, 2020), postmemory (M. Hirsch, 2012) and the theory of discourse-material knot (Carpentier, 2017). These two approaches will allow students to see the current processes and trends in the public sphere with a critical perspective to technology that lays at the backends of the media and will also equip them with the ability to include material infrastructures together with the textual meanings in their research.At the same time, the course will allow students to reflect on current trends in the media field associated with the growing interest in historical events in the media, with numerous projects and databases that declare their goal of preserving memory as well as new technologies that remind users of past events or intended for various commemorative practices.The course will provide students with theoretical training at the intersection of memory studies and media studies and at the same time increase their familiarity with new media projects.
Learning Objectives
- To introduce classical and modern theoretical concepts in memory studies to students and to provide them with tools for analysis of the inter-influence of memory and media.
- To teach students to use various methods of collecting, processing and interpreting data related to certain aspects of media memory.
- To introduce key digital projects that preserve history in different ways (digital archives, VR/AR galleries, diverse apps based on individual/collective memories, etc.).
Expected Learning Outcomes
- analyzes discourses about the past, about historical memory, about the memories of eyewitnesses
- knows the basic concepts of mediation and mediatization
Course Contents
- Overview of theoretical approaches in memory studies
- Politics of memory: from geopolitics of digital heritage towards the analysis of actors involved in the ‘memorial boom’
- Connecting meanings with environment through personal gadgets
- Multilayer memory. Material dimension in preserving memory. Infrastructure of memory.
- Postmemory (by M. Hirsch) in contemporary media landscape
Assessment Elements
- Multiscalar Memories: Using Smartphone to Explore Cultural MemoryThis task trains students' ability to creatively engage with the city of Moscow as the source of empirical material for the course and connecting it to various theoretical readings from memory studies
- Analysis of a digital archive
- Attendance of classes & Activity during the course
- Final Project
Interim Assessment
- 2025/2026 2nd module0.25 * Multiscalar Memories: Using Smartphone to Explore Cultural Memory + 0.25 * Analysis of a digital archive + 0.2 * Attendance of classes & Activity during the course + 0.3 * Final Project
