January 23, 2008

Lecture: Why should I care about comm tech?

Key concepts: technology, communication, media, communication technologies are pervasive, what is new about new media
Examples: Macromedia Flash cartooning on http://www.homestarrunner.com/, G4 Pulse video interview with the creators (requires Windows Media Player)

Class Reader: Case study: Solresol, the Universal Musical Language

Collins, Paul. (2000). The Strange and Epic and Tragic Trajectory of Solresol, the Universal Musical Language. McSweeney's 5: 50-66. Password Protected Online Full-Text (PDF) [Get Password Help]
Key concepts: Solresol, Solresol as an example of: contingency, wants and needs
Also think about: definition of comm tech; is language a technology?