Faculty Advisor: Professor of Global Liberal Studies, New York University in Paris

Program Start Time: TBD (meetings will take place for around one hour per week)

Research Practicum Introduction

This research practicum explores the profound impact of media on our societies, politics, and individual psyches, prompting a critical examination of its ideological, political, and cultural dimensions. It delves into questions about the authenticity of truth in media amidst new forms of propaganda, the role of media in constructing societal identities, and its influence on mental health and the economy through attention and digital economies. This interdisciplinary program is ideal for students of sociology, political science, philosophy, psychology, and media studies, as well as anyone seeking to understand the complexities of our highly mediated world.

Students engaging in this program will gain foundational knowledge across diverse disciplines, preparing them for future studies in the social sciences and humanities. It introduces them to ethical debates and critical theories essential for navigating undergraduate coursework and beyond, equipping them with analytical skills crucial for careers in creative industries, marketing, politics, and media policy. Moreover, the program fosters a mindful engagement with media, enhancing both personal well-being and professional readiness to tackle contemporary societal challenges in their future careers.

Standards of Assessment

To excel, students must: 

• Come to each session prepared to discuss the readings

• Be proactive in developing their research ideas and drafting their final papers/completing their final project.

• Complete their final paper/project.

Possible Topics For Final Project

• Media and the Body

• Critical Theories and Methodologies of Media Studies

• Hyper-Sexualisation and Transgression

• Consumption, Commodity Fetishism, and Spectacle

• National, Cultural, and Global Visual Cultures

• Toxicity, Hate Speech, Blasphemy, and the Limits of the Sayable

• Media and the Reproduction of Power and Elites

• Loneliness, Isolation, Narcissism, Addiction

• Biometrics and Data/Information Economies

• Digital Labor - New Sites of Alienation and Reification

• Seduction, Desire, Fantasy

• Fashion and Fashion Photography

• Trauma, War, Disaster

• Coming to Consciousness/Compassion Fatigue

• Disinformation and Propaganda

• Media and Para-social Relationships

• The Gamification of Everyday Life

• Media and Collective Memory

• Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Realities, and the “Politics of the Algorithm”

• Global Communication and Media

Program Detail

• Cohort Size: 3-5 students

• Duration: 12 weeks

• Workload: Around 4-5 hours per week (including class time and homework time)

• Target Students: 9-12th grade students who are interested in sociology, political science, philosophy, ethics, psychology, globalization studies, anthropology, society and technology studies, media studies or related fields.

• Prerequisite: A general background in the humanities and the social sciences.