Media studies is topic of yearlong lecture series

The new field of media studies will be explored in a series of lectures beginning Oct. 6 that focus on emerging research, particularly by younger scholars in the field. The yearlong series, which is free and open to the public, will present a range of approaches to the field from the perspectives of cultural studies, media archaeology and digital humanities. 'The approach to this series is totally unique to Cornell,' says Tom McEnaney, assistant professor of comparative literature and co-organizer of the series. 'Not only will it showcase the most transformative thinkers in media studies - from specialists in information theory to disability studies and media archaeology - but it brings that scholarship together with cutting-edge research in critical computational humanities. We hope the intersection of these conversations will really point the way forward in these fields.' Added Jeremy Braddock, associate professor of English and co-organizer of the series: 'People from all across Cornell - scholars in the humanities, social sciences and information sciences, as well as artists, musicians and librarians - actively investigate media. We hope this series will both support existing relationships and spark new ones across the university.' The series arose from a working group convened last spring of faculty members who meet regularly to share their work and discuss curriculum development related to media studies.