The course provides students with an insight into the understanding of the concept of theory and the importance of theory for understanding the contemporary media environment. It introduces them to the meaning of theoretical directions of contemporary media and to the most important theorists of contemporary media. The course will present the influences of contemporary media (from mobile phones to social networks) through theoretical analyses (agenda-setting, uses and gratification). By gaining insight into the basic research paradigms (exploratory, interpretative and empirical) and introducing them to ways of observing the media. Appropriately, through examples and profiles of interesting theorists, the course introduces students to the meaning of theoretical concepts: functionalist theory of media and society, critical political-economic theory, theory of communication technological determinism, theory of mass society, theory of networked information society, theories of mediation and mediatization, normative theory, theory of spectacle. They will understand the principles and social role of contemporary media, what media convergence is and how converged media work, what new media are such as the Web, Wikipedia, YouTube, Facebook and other social networks, Amazon and the role they play in the contemporary media environment. Students will be introduced to scientific terminology and their ability to understand and analyze media signifying practices will be stimulated through insight into semiotics, aesthetics and critical analysis of media content.

The course provides students with an insight into the understanding of the concept of theory and the importance of theory for understanding the contemporary media environment. It introduces them to the meaning of theoretical directions of contemporary media and to the most important theorists of contemporary media. The course will present the influences of contemporary media (from mobile phones to social networks) through theoretical analyses (agenda-setting, uses and gratification). By gaining insight into the basic research paradigms (exploratory, interpretative and empirical) and introducing them to ways of observing the media. Appropriately, through examples and profiles of interesting theorists, the course introduces students to the meaning of theoretical concepts: functionalist theory of media and society, critical political-economic theory, theory of communication technological determinism, theory of mass society, theory of networked information society, theories of mediation and mediatization, normative theory, theory of spectacle. They will understand the principles and social role of contemporary media, what media convergence is and how converged media work, what new media are such as the Web, Wikipedia, YouTube, Facebook and other social networks, Amazon and the role they play in the contemporary media environment. Students will be introduced to scientific terminology and their ability to understand and analyze media signifying practices will be stimulated through insight into semiotics, aesthetics and critical analysis of media content.