Media Archaeology
Did you know that the idea behind FaceTime is more than a 100 years old? Or that wireless public large-scale file-sharing could be executed in the 1980s? Or that a music-on-demand system was in fact realised in 1895?
Many of the media technologies we live with today have unexpected, untold, and even whimsical histories. That is, media history is often presented as a series of successful inventions and inventors.
However, media history is also full of weird failures, forgotten gadgets, strange experiments, and imagined futures. Instead of allowing these to disappear, neither from our memories nor from our material lives, media archaeology will help you understand how such overlooked histories and technologies still have a surprising impact on our contemporary digital lives.
Are you new to Media Archeology? - Perfectly fine!
You do not need to have previous experience of media archaeology to enjoy this course. Its relevance and applicability spans over several fields, and speaks to both master level students and doctoral students.
Information for admitted students spring 2025
Congratulations! You have been admitted at Stockholm University and we hope that you will enjoy your studies with us.
In order to ensure that your studies begin as smoothly as possible we have compiled a short checklist for the beginning of the semester.
Follow the instructions on whether you have to reply to your offer or not.
universityadmissions.se
Checklist for admitted students
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Activate your university account
The first step in being able to register and gain access to all the university's IT services.
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Register at your department
Registration can be done in different ways. Read the instructions from your department below.
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Read all the information on this page
Here you will find what you need to know before your course or programme starts.
IMPORTANT
Your seat may be withdrawn if you do not register according to the instructions provided by your department.
Information from the department - courses
For you who have been admitted to courses/programmes at the Department of Media Studies.
Dear student, via the link below you find information regarding registration and other practical concerns such as waiting list, conditionally admitted and more.
Timetable semester start Spring 2025
January 7: Welcome emails start being sent out from us to those admitted - to the email address you used when you applied for the course/programme at antagning.se/universityadmissions.se
January 7 - 15: Online registration period for all courses (unless otherwise stated in the welcome email). NOTE: To keep your place, you must register online, unless otherwise noted. The welcome email contains all the information you need for online registration.
Week 3, 2025: from this date, reserves can be accepted. You will be contacted via email and will have to respond quickly to accept your place.
January 20: Start of the Spring semester.
Registration - How to:
Registration Spring Semester 2025
Read more on the department website
Welcome activities
Stockholm University organises a series of welcome activities that stretch over a few weeks at the beginning of each semester. The programme is voluntary (attendance is optional) and includes Arrival Service at the airport and an Orientation Day, see more details about these events below.
Your department may also organise activities for welcoming international students. More information will be provided by your specific department.
Find your way on campus
Stockholm University's main campus is in the Frescati area, north of the city centre. While most of our departments and offices are located here, there are also campus areas in other parts of the city.
Read more
For new international students
Many of the media technologies we live with today have unexpected, untold, and even whimsical histories. That is, media history is often presented as a series of successful inventions and inventors.
However, media history is also full of weird failures, forgotten gadgets, strange experiments, and imagined futures. Instead of allowing these to disappear, neither from our memories nor from our material lives, media archaeology will help you understand how such overlooked histories and technologies still have a surprising impact on our contemporary digital lives.
Are you new to Media Archeology? - Perfectly fine!
You do not need to have previous experience of media archaeology to enjoy this course. Its relevance and applicability spans over several fields, and speaks to both master level students and doctoral students.
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Course structure
The course looks at the intricate temporal relations that exists in between new and old media technologies.
In this course the concept "new media" is questioned and contemporary digital cultures are put in a historical perspective. During the course students will examine forgotten, overlooked, recycled, debunked and imagined media technologies as well as the myths, hopes and hesitations surrounding those. A strong focus will be on how media materiality, functionality and design could be seen as coordinating political, social and cultural practice.
For successful results on the course, the you will demonstrate:
- In-depth understanding of the media history of digital cultures;
- In-depth understanding and analytical ability regarding societal and time-related myths, hopes and concernsabout (digital) media technologies.
Teaching format
The teaching formats include not only traditional lectures, but also old-school programming and innovative design exercises, for example, which will provide a hands-on experience that will deepen your knowledge.The course follows a cycle of theoretical lectures and hands-on activities relating to a specific theme.
Tuition takes place in the form of lectures and seminars. All tuition is mandatory. Tuition is in english.
Master's Programme student
This course is also an optional part of the Master's Programme in Global Media Studies, and we welcome students from other programmes that meet the eligibility.
Assessment
The course is examined through a home exam.
Examiner
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Schedule
The schedule will be available no later than one month before the start of the course. We do not recommend print-outs as changes can occur. At the start of the course, your department will advise where you can find your schedule during the course. -
Course literature
Note that the course literature can be changed up to two months before the start of the course. -
Course reports
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Contact
General information
master@ims.su.se
Student Counsellor
studievagledare@ims.su.se
