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Research Master Media and Performance Studies
The MA program in Media Studies focuses on the cultural construction of old and new media, both diachronically ('emerging media') and synchronically ('comparative media studies'). From the ancient theatre to cinema to YouTube, media shape and is shaped by various historical and contemporary publics and contexts ('media cultures'). Media is the means by and through which identity, culture, meaning and memory are performed; media caters to our desires, gives space to our imagination and (by producing it) shows us reality.
In contrast to definitions of media studies based upon a supposition of media's technological, semiotic or aesthetic specificity of media, in this program, media is studied in terms of performance that is understood as both practice and perspective. As practice, performance denotes execution, carrying out, doing. As an artistic practice, it refers to a genre of artistic work, often combining various media and self-consciously blurring the boundaries between disciplines and traditions. Performance as perspective illuminates the instability of meaning, with its open-ended, material, and embodied character, as well as the relationship between social conventions and individual acts.
This program is aimed at students interested in theoretical and historical research into media and performance, including cultural constructions and the effect of being embedded institutionally, as well as impact on citizenship, cultural identity, old and new forms of popular representation, entertainment and cultural participation. The program puts a special emphasis on intermediality and media comparison, including reception of and the connections between different forms, looking especially at the relationship between new and older media. The staff combines a strong interest in historical research in local and regional media practices (both locally in the Netherlands and within the global context) with theoretical interests in intermediality, embodiment and visuality. Media Studies in Utrecht is also known for research into recent developments in the field of audiovisual and digital media and their impact on the arts, culture and society. Students are invited to participate in these research activities.
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Related links
• MA Media Studies at Utrecht University's website
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This MA program is officially registered under the name Media Studies (research) (code 60194). You will need to use this name and code when you apply for this program.
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