MA in Interactive Media: Critical Theory & Practice, Goldsmiths, University of London

MA in Interactive Media: Critical Theory & Practice

In the last ten years, interactive media have increasingly become part of the exciting new field of computational culture. Computation can no longer remain the property of specialised expertise. We believe that coding, programmability and modelling are investing culture by operating as open-source forms of knowledge, aesthetic and power. Interactive media are for us agents of computational cultures ready to re-formalise the way in which we see theory and practice.

"With its intersecting of experimental media practice with critical theory, it was not a difficult decision for me to choose Interactive Media as the masters programme to study on. I wanted to explore my own creative practice but with a strong theoretical backbone present along the way, which the course gave."

Emilie, MA in Interactive Media

Length:
1 year full-time or 2 years part-time.

Applying:

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If you're applying for funding, you may be subject to an application deadline. Find out more about funding opportunities for home/EU applicants, or funding for international applicants.

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Entrance requirements:
You should have a degree of at least upper second class standard, or an experiential background, in a relevant subject, and an ability to engage with cultural theory. If your first language is not English, you normally need a minimum score of 7.0 in IELTS (including 7.0 in the written element) or equivalent. Find out more about our English Language requirements.

Funding:

UK/EU students may be eligible for AHRC funding.

Careers:
New media researcher; new media curator; new media practitioner; new media project manager.

Skills:
Software applications; aesthetic evaluation; design concepts; project development; interdisciplinary knowledge.

Fees:
Please see Tuition fees.

Staff research interests:
Please see Staff research interests.

Contact the department:
Contact Cultural Studies

About the department:
Centre for Cultural Studies

Download a booklet [PDF, 541KB]

We want you to join us at this cutting edge of media theory and practice. We're looking for students from design, scientific, artistic, cultural, philosophical, and/or political backgrounds who have felt the polarity of their disciplines and are looking for a critical environment in which the practical and theoretical carry equal weight and are not simply merged.

You'll be tutored by leading theorists including Luciana Parisi (author of Abstract Sex), Graham Harwood (Transmediale Festival prize 2009, http://yoha.co.uk/), with special input from Bernard Stiegler (author of Technics and Time) Matthew Fuller (editor of Software Studies, Keynote at Transmediale 2012, http://www.transmediale.de/) and Scott Lash (author of Critique of Information). You'll be studying in a vibrant research field.

Our students are now working as creative technologist and interaction designer (Joao Wilbert, 2008, http://jhwilbert.com); NGO researcher and adviser (Jean Demars, 2009); editor and researcher for Mute Magazine (Caroline Heron, 2008); PhD researcher in Computational Aesthetics and Culture (Beatrice Fazi, 2008); and as director of art projects in urban media and physical computing (Vincent Van Uffelen, 2009). In 2011 MA in Interactive Media students won a prestigious prize at the media arts festival Ars Electronica.

The MA develops a new philosophical direction in the study of interactive media and computational cultures. Help us to speculate: prodding and poking computational media machines, following their pathologies, and diagnosing our futures. It will provide you with:

an in-depth engagement with the theories and practices of computational culture with a strong basis in critical, non-linear and post-structuralist theory
a critical and creative engagement with ideas of computation and interaction in the context of visual arts, with a chance to work on live arts projects
a deep understanding of the uses of media systems within specific social contexts (NGO, local organizations, global institutions)
an interdisciplinary theoretical and practical framework for research and speculation into emerging and historical media
a critical reflection on gadget culture
a creative analysis and re-invention of the ontologies, histories and aesthetics of old and new machines
an experimental use of art methodologies aiming to open up new domains of enquiry
a critical approach to interactive media in terms media agencies and media ecologies
the opportunity to participate in an exciting, intellectual environment of theory, practice, and new visual arts.

Find out more about:

What you study

Four compulsory core courses:

One option course (or two half-length courses where available) from a wide range available within Goldsmiths.

Participation in the programme’s annual expo.

A dissertation comprising an integrated major practical project and 6,000 word essay.

[Find out more]

Assessment

Essays; practical projects; dissertation including an integrated major practical project and essay.

Register your interest

If you register your interest in this programme we will keep you informed about open days and send you relevant further information. If you subsequently decide to apply for this programme you will be able to use the same login details to apply.