Media History Literature Notes 2024-2025
Table of contents
Table of contents 1
Week 1: 4
● Media and the Making of British Society, c.1700–2000 - James Curran 4
Temporalities and Theory in Media History: Jukka Kortt 8
Week 2: 10
Chapter 1 Media in history 10
Chapter 7 Media in History 11
Readings : Transition to democracy 13
Readings 2: Struggles over “Press Freedom” and “Public Spheres” 15
Knowledge clip 1: 16
Knowledge clip 2: 18
Week 3: 20
Media in History - chapter 2 20
Cawley et al. (2019).’The “New” Newspapers: The Popular Press in Britain, Portugal,
Russia, and Germany, Late 1800s to early 1900s.’ In: The Handbook of European
Communication History, eds. Arnold, K., Preston, P. & Kinnebrock, S. (New York: Wiley), pp.
43-59 23
Harbers, F. & Broersma, M. (2022). ‘Pioneer Literary Journalists. The Intricate Relation
Between Literary Journalism and Professional Newspaper Reporting in the Netherlands,
1890–1930’ In: The Routledge Companion to World Literary Journalismt, eds. Bak, J. &
Reynolds, B. (New York/London: Routledge), pp. 74-89. 30
Week 4: 33
Media in History 1: 33
Media in History 2: 35
Stephen Teo (2013). ‘Film and Globalizations: From Hollywood to Bollywood’. In: Turner,
B.S. (ed.). The Routledge International Handbook of Globalization Studies. London:
Taylor&Francis. 412-428. 37
Knowledge clip 39
Week 5 43
Media In History 1: 43
Media In History 2: 45
Media in History 3: 47
Taylor, Dallas. (Host). Theater of the Mind [Podcast Episode]. Twenty Thousand Hertz.
2018, October 29. https://www.20k.org/episodes/theaterforthemind [runtime: 34
minutes/includes transcript] 51
Overview of Podcast Notes on Radio Dramas 51
Knowledge clip: 53
Week 6: 55
, Lecture Week 6: The Early History of the Web 55
Media in History 1: 62
Janet Abbate (2017) What and where is the Internet? (Re)defining Internet histories, Internet
Histories, 1:1-2, 8-14, DOI: 10.1080/24701475.2017.1305836 (Avaialble via the University
library) 67
Mackinnon, K. (2022). The death of GeoCities: seeking destruction and platform eulogies in
Web archives. Internet Histories, 6(1–2), 237-252.
https://doi.org/10.1080/24701475.2022.2051331 (Available via the University library) 71
GeoCities: A Bustling Online Community 72
Week 7: The Cultural History Meanings of Media 74
,Week 1:
● Media and the Making of British Society, c.1700–2000 - James Curran
Different interpretations of the history, each an understanding of how media has shaped society.
I. Introduction: Challenges in Media History
The Problem of Medium History: Media history often focuses on individual mediums,
creating fragmented understandings of their roles.
The Problem of Media-Centrism: Histories tend to focus narrowly on media content or
organization, neglecting broader societal connections.
The Problem of Specialization: Narrow focus weakens interest in mainstream media
history, leading to the rise of simplistic technological determinism.
The Proposed Solution: Examine long-term societal changes and connect them to media
development, offering six key interpretations of media history.
6 narratives:
A. Liberal Interpretation: Freedom and Empowerment
1. Core Idea: Media independence promotes democracy, holding the powerful accountable
and fostering public debate.
2. Historical Evolution:
○ 17th-18th centuries: Newspapers empower ordinary people by exposing
government actions and creating public discourse spaces.
○ 20th century: Radio and TV extend knowledge and bring debates into homes,
democratizing information further.
3. Key Themes:
○ Media as a watchdog.
○ Activism and early forms of social media.
○ Media evolution broadening access to political and social discourse.
B. Feminist Interpretation: The Advance of Women
1. Core Idea: Media reflected and influenced the changing roles of women, moving from
traditional stereotypes to supporting equality.
2. Historical Evolution:
○ 17th-19th centuries: Women confined to submissive roles; magazines promote
domestic ideals but provide platforms for moral debates.
, ○ 20th century: Media shifts from reinforcing traditional roles to reflecting women’s
growing equality, especially post-1970.
3. Key Themes:
○ Early magazines: Paradox of empowering women within narrow boundaries.
○ Post-1970: Economic and societal changes challenge traditional gender roles.
○ Media mirrors and pushes societal progress for women.
C. Populist Interpretation: Cultural Democracy
1. Core Idea: Media became more responsive to public desires for entertainment and
pleasure, challenging elite control.
2. Historical Evolution:
○ Libraries resisted stocking novels as “frivolous,” but public demand prevailed.
○ 19th-20th centuries: Tabloids, radio, and cinema cater to working-class tastes.
○ Even the BBC adapted to popular preferences, shifting away from only “uplifting”
content.
3. Key Themes:
○ Celebrating popular choice in media.
○ Democratization of cultural access.
○ Triumph of entertainment over elite preferences.
D. Libertarian Interpretation: Culture Wars
1. Core Idea: Media reflects moral battles between traditionalists and liberals, adapting to
growing diversity and individualism.
2. Historical Evolution:
○ Mid-20th century: Censorship starts relaxing as societal values shift.
○ 1970s onward: Media includes taboo language, marginalized groups, and diverse
representation.
3. Key Themes:
○ Struggles over moral regulation and censorship.
○ Media’s role in challenging social stigmas.
○ Shift from homophobia to tolerance in representations.
E. Anthropological Interpretation: National Identities
1. Core Idea: Media shaped and reflected evolving British identity, moving from
empire-focused unity to multiculturalism.
2. Historical Evolution:
○ 18th century: Protestant identity and fear of Catholic enemies unify Britain.
Table of contents
Table of contents 1
Week 1: 4
● Media and the Making of British Society, c.1700–2000 - James Curran 4
Temporalities and Theory in Media History: Jukka Kortt 8
Week 2: 10
Chapter 1 Media in history 10
Chapter 7 Media in History 11
Readings : Transition to democracy 13
Readings 2: Struggles over “Press Freedom” and “Public Spheres” 15
Knowledge clip 1: 16
Knowledge clip 2: 18
Week 3: 20
Media in History - chapter 2 20
Cawley et al. (2019).’The “New” Newspapers: The Popular Press in Britain, Portugal,
Russia, and Germany, Late 1800s to early 1900s.’ In: The Handbook of European
Communication History, eds. Arnold, K., Preston, P. & Kinnebrock, S. (New York: Wiley), pp.
43-59 23
Harbers, F. & Broersma, M. (2022). ‘Pioneer Literary Journalists. The Intricate Relation
Between Literary Journalism and Professional Newspaper Reporting in the Netherlands,
1890–1930’ In: The Routledge Companion to World Literary Journalismt, eds. Bak, J. &
Reynolds, B. (New York/London: Routledge), pp. 74-89. 30
Week 4: 33
Media in History 1: 33
Media in History 2: 35
Stephen Teo (2013). ‘Film and Globalizations: From Hollywood to Bollywood’. In: Turner,
B.S. (ed.). The Routledge International Handbook of Globalization Studies. London:
Taylor&Francis. 412-428. 37
Knowledge clip 39
Week 5 43
Media In History 1: 43
Media In History 2: 45
Media in History 3: 47
Taylor, Dallas. (Host). Theater of the Mind [Podcast Episode]. Twenty Thousand Hertz.
2018, October 29. https://www.20k.org/episodes/theaterforthemind [runtime: 34
minutes/includes transcript] 51
Overview of Podcast Notes on Radio Dramas 51
Knowledge clip: 53
Week 6: 55
, Lecture Week 6: The Early History of the Web 55
Media in History 1: 62
Janet Abbate (2017) What and where is the Internet? (Re)defining Internet histories, Internet
Histories, 1:1-2, 8-14, DOI: 10.1080/24701475.2017.1305836 (Avaialble via the University
library) 67
Mackinnon, K. (2022). The death of GeoCities: seeking destruction and platform eulogies in
Web archives. Internet Histories, 6(1–2), 237-252.
https://doi.org/10.1080/24701475.2022.2051331 (Available via the University library) 71
GeoCities: A Bustling Online Community 72
Week 7: The Cultural History Meanings of Media 74
,Week 1:
● Media and the Making of British Society, c.1700–2000 - James Curran
Different interpretations of the history, each an understanding of how media has shaped society.
I. Introduction: Challenges in Media History
The Problem of Medium History: Media history often focuses on individual mediums,
creating fragmented understandings of their roles.
The Problem of Media-Centrism: Histories tend to focus narrowly on media content or
organization, neglecting broader societal connections.
The Problem of Specialization: Narrow focus weakens interest in mainstream media
history, leading to the rise of simplistic technological determinism.
The Proposed Solution: Examine long-term societal changes and connect them to media
development, offering six key interpretations of media history.
6 narratives:
A. Liberal Interpretation: Freedom and Empowerment
1. Core Idea: Media independence promotes democracy, holding the powerful accountable
and fostering public debate.
2. Historical Evolution:
○ 17th-18th centuries: Newspapers empower ordinary people by exposing
government actions and creating public discourse spaces.
○ 20th century: Radio and TV extend knowledge and bring debates into homes,
democratizing information further.
3. Key Themes:
○ Media as a watchdog.
○ Activism and early forms of social media.
○ Media evolution broadening access to political and social discourse.
B. Feminist Interpretation: The Advance of Women
1. Core Idea: Media reflected and influenced the changing roles of women, moving from
traditional stereotypes to supporting equality.
2. Historical Evolution:
○ 17th-19th centuries: Women confined to submissive roles; magazines promote
domestic ideals but provide platforms for moral debates.
, ○ 20th century: Media shifts from reinforcing traditional roles to reflecting women’s
growing equality, especially post-1970.
3. Key Themes:
○ Early magazines: Paradox of empowering women within narrow boundaries.
○ Post-1970: Economic and societal changes challenge traditional gender roles.
○ Media mirrors and pushes societal progress for women.
C. Populist Interpretation: Cultural Democracy
1. Core Idea: Media became more responsive to public desires for entertainment and
pleasure, challenging elite control.
2. Historical Evolution:
○ Libraries resisted stocking novels as “frivolous,” but public demand prevailed.
○ 19th-20th centuries: Tabloids, radio, and cinema cater to working-class tastes.
○ Even the BBC adapted to popular preferences, shifting away from only “uplifting”
content.
3. Key Themes:
○ Celebrating popular choice in media.
○ Democratization of cultural access.
○ Triumph of entertainment over elite preferences.
D. Libertarian Interpretation: Culture Wars
1. Core Idea: Media reflects moral battles between traditionalists and liberals, adapting to
growing diversity and individualism.
2. Historical Evolution:
○ Mid-20th century: Censorship starts relaxing as societal values shift.
○ 1970s onward: Media includes taboo language, marginalized groups, and diverse
representation.
3. Key Themes:
○ Struggles over moral regulation and censorship.
○ Media’s role in challenging social stigmas.
○ Shift from homophobia to tolerance in representations.
E. Anthropological Interpretation: National Identities
1. Core Idea: Media shaped and reflected evolving British identity, moving from
empire-focused unity to multiculturalism.
2. Historical Evolution:
○ 18th century: Protestant identity and fear of Catholic enemies unify Britain.
