MIT Graduate Program in Comparative Media Studies

Studying Media and Making Media

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Podcast: John Hartley, “Creative Industries, Micro-productivity and Social Learning: A Cultural Science Approach to Cultural and Media Studies”

“To have great poets, there must be great audiences too.”

–Walt Whitman

This paper outlines recent developments in the field of cultural and media studies, including an account of changes in the economy, culture and technology, and consequent initiatives in educational provision for the creative industries. It goes on to outline the case for a new approach to media and culture, based on evolutionary and complexity studies, in which the comparative media environment is recast in terms of ‘micro-productivity’ (user-created content) and ‘social learning’ (networked knowledge).

John Hartley is an educator, author, researcher and commentator on the history and cultural impact of television, journalism, popular media and creative industries.

About Andrew Whitacre

Andrew directs the communications efforts for CMS/W and its research groups. A native of Washington, D.C., he holds a degree in communication from Wake Forest University, with a minor in humanities, as well as an M.F.A. in creative writing from Emerson College.

His work includes drawing up and executing strategic communications plans, with projects including website design, social media management and training, press outreach, product launches, fundraising campaign support, and event promotions.