State of the Media Art

2025/2026

Content, progress and pedagogy of the module

The module intoduces students to different critical positions on the 'state' of the media art, in-between practice-based research and theory-driven writing. At the course the students will be asked to analyse and discuss not only what is being considered 'state of the art' but also to learn to detect the signs of the various 'sources' and what epistemologies they employ. The students will learn the basic skills of expository essay writing and support the critical theory-driven dialogue in the practice-based research project that concludes the semester.

Learning objectives

Knowledge

  • Understand the various critical positions and epistemologies within the media art culture, encompassing both theory-driven and practice-based research.
  • Recognize the nuanced definitions and indicators of the 'state of the art' in media art cultures, focusing on its evolution, sources, and underpinning principles.
  • Comprehend the methodologies of expository essay writing and its significance in analyzing and reflecting on media arts culture.
     

Skills

  • Demonstrate the ability to articulate and analyze various media art projects, based on their epistemological underpinnings, experiments, and experiential dimensions.
  • Develop proficiency in expository essay writing, focusing on cultural journalism and critical analysis of media art projects.

Competences

  • Craft essays that critically engage with and communicate the interplay between media art, science, technology, and their sociocultural contexts.
  • Engage in reflective discussions and critical thinking, fostering a deeper understanding of the diverse positions within media arts cultures.
  • Innovate and adapt within the dynamic landscape of media arts culture, leveraging the synergies of art, science, technology, and economics.

Exam

Exams

Name of examState of the Media Art
Type of exam
Written exam
ECTS5
Permitted aids
With certain aids:
- Students notes
- Syllabus
- Relevante subject literature
Assessment7-point grading scale
Type of gradingInternal examination
Criteria of assessmentThe criteria of assessment are stated in the Examination Policies and Procedures

Facts about the module

Danish titleState of the Media Art
Module codeKAMAC20247
Module typeCourse
Duration1 semester
SemesterSpring
This module is offered only as a part of the ERASMUS MUNDUS Master of Excellence: Media Arts Cultures at Aalborg University, Denmark
2nd. semester
ECTS5
Language of instructionEnglish
Location of the lectureCampus Aalborg
Responsible for the module

Organisation

Education ownerMaster of Arts in Media Arts Cultures
Study BoardStudy Board of Art, Health and Technology
DepartmentDepartment of Communication and Psychology
FacultyFaculty of Social Sciences and Humanities