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Digital Media and Information in Society/Discussions/7-Applying Theoretical Frameworks

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I've asked ChatGPT about the Critical Theory on the Telegraph and it gave me the eight ways on how Critical Theory works with it. Before the telegraph was used by the highest power to communicate with other countries or businesses. Nobody could've had use of the telegraph until later on where the telephone was invented. Critical Theory even analyzed how it affected working conditions and employment patterns of telegraph operators. It also analyzed that the telegraph helped us understand a new language with Morse Code.https://chat.openai.com/share/8891bb96-ec2f-45fb-a82a-d6150c000622

What is a theoretical Framework

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A theoretical framework provides a foundational structure for research, offering guiding concepts and perspectives. It shapes inquiry, determines methodology, and interprets findings within a specific context.

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  1. A theoretical framework is the backbone for research endeavors.
  2. Acts as a lens for scholars to view, analyze, and interpret subjects.
  3. Provides a structured set of concepts, ideas, and principles.
  4. Offers context for understanding specific phenomena.
  5. Influences the questions posed in research.
  6. Shapes the methodologies chosen.
  7. Directs interpretations of research findings.
  8. Provides a pre-defined perspective.
  9. Guides research direction and focus.
  10. Grounds research within broader academic discourses and traditions.

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A "theoretical framework" provides the structural foundation for academic research, illuminating the interwoven theories, concepts, and definitions central to an investigation. This isn't merely a backdrop; it's the guiding lens that shapes the research's trajectory, ensuring precision, focus, and pertinence. By embedding research within wider academic conversations, the framework lends both purpose and context.

In the humanities, with its deep dive into human experiences, culture, and expression, the significance of a theoretical framework becomes amplified. For instance, a scholar employing **Feminist Theory** in studying the telephone might explore how this technology reshaped gender roles in the 20th century. They could investigate its role in expanding women's social freedoms, or its media portrayal as a primarily female-used tool. Did the telephone fortify existing gender norms, or subtly subvert them by granting women a broader communicative reach?

On another note, a researcher leveraging **Actor-Network Theory** could delve into the world of photography. They might dissect the network of relationships between humans and non-human entities in the evolution of the camera. How did the interactions between photographers, subjects, camera manufacturers, and even the photos themselves shape the cultural significance of photography?

These frameworks equip humanities scholars with tools for deep analysis. Using these lenses, they can offer intricate, contextually rich interpretations of information technologies, ensuring their research is grounded and insightful.

Eight selected theoretical frameworks for the humanities

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I've selected eight influential theories that have garnered significant scholarly attention over the past few decades. These were chosen based on their pertinence to the humanities, their capacity to frame questions about cultural and social issues surrounding information technologies, and their implications on the affordances of these technologies. Delving into each will provide insights into different facets of media and technology's relationship with society. Here are these notable frameworks:

  • Semiotics and Media - An exploration of signs, symbols, and meanings within media contexts. Wikipedia article
  • Actor-Network Theory - Examines relational ties between entities, be they objects, ideas, or people. Wikipedia article
  • Postcolonialism - Analyzes the cultural legacy of colonialism and its contemporary ramifications. Wikipedia article
  • Narrative Theory - Investigates stories, their structures, and how they shape human understanding. Wikipedia article
  • Critical Theory - Questions power structures, ideologies, and societal norms to foster societal change. Wikipedia article
  • Phenomenology of Technology - Explores human experience and consciousness in relation to technology. Wikipedia article
  • Cultural Materialism - Focuses on the role of material conditions in shaping cultural practices. Wikipedia article
  • Feminist Media Theory - Analyzes media's role in reinforcing or challenging gender roles and biases. Wikipedia article

Assignment: Analyzing Technology through Theoretical Lenses

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Objective: Examine specific information technologies through different theoretical frameworks, gaining insights into how these tools have been researched and understood academically.

Telegraph Telephone Phonograph Photograph
Semiotics Michael, Vincent Michael, Vincent Connor, Johjn Connor, John
ActorNetwork Caden, Elijah Caden, Elijah Tyler, SamD Tyler, SamD
Postcolonial Hunter, Casey Hunter, Casey Jared, Corbin Jared, Corbin
Narrative AlexA, Everett AlexA, Everett Ayden, Draven Ayden, Draven
Critical James, John James, John, Angel Darren, Zedd Darren, Zedd
Phenomenological Nicole, Gianni Nicole, Gianni SamB, Bart SamB, Bart
CulturalMaterialism Tobias, AlexC, Charlotte Tobias, AlexC Declan, Tucker Declan, Tucker
Feminist Jalen, ElijahS Jalen,Steve, ElijahS Braden, Reese Braden, Reese

Instructions:

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  1. Selection: Review the table above; each cell represents a combination of a technology and a theoretical framework. Students will be assigned cells in class (if you were not in class, select an empty cell or a cell with only one name if all are filled).
  2. Review: Review the Wikipedia articles about the theoretical frameworks associated with your assigned cells.
  3. Research: Use Google Scholar to identify a scholarly source for each of your assigned cells that studies the respective technology using the chosen theoretical framework.
  4. Summary: For each source:
    1. Detail the method of analysis: What data was collected? How was it analyzed?
    2. Highlight the most intriguing conclusion of the analysis.
    3. Provide a citation to the source.
  5. Wikiversity Journal Sub-page Creation:
    1. Navigate to your Wikiversity journal.
    2. To create a sub-page, add a slash (/') at the end of your journal's URL, followed by a suitable title for this assignment, for example: /Semiotics_Analysis_of_Telegraphy (use _ between words).
    3. Click 'Create' to start the new page.
    4. Write your summary on this sub-page.
  6. Categorization: At the bottom of your sub-page, add categories for both the theoretical framework and the technology you have researched:
    1. [[Category:TheoryName]] (use theory exactly as presented in table)
    2. [[Category:TechnologyName]]
  7. Submission: Submit the link to your sub-page in the appropriate Brightspace quiz.

Summaries

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Telegraph

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Semiotics

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ActorNetwork

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No pages meet these criteria.

Postcolonial

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Narrative

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No pages meet these criteria.

Critical

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No pages meet these criteria.

Phenomenological

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No pages meet these criteria.

CulturalMaterialism

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No pages meet these criteria.

Feminist

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Telephone

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Semiotics

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ActorNetwork

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No pages meet these criteria.

Postcolonial

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No pages meet these criteria.

Narrative

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No pages meet these criteria.

Critical

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No pages meet these criteria.

Phenomenological

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No pages meet these criteria.

CulturalMaterialism

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No pages meet these criteria.

Feminist

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No pages meet these criteria.

Phonograph

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Semiotics

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No pages meet these criteria.

ActorNetwork

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No pages meet these criteria.

Postcolonial

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No pages meet these criteria.

Narrative

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No pages meet these criteria.

Critical

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No pages meet these criteria.

Phenomenological

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No pages meet these criteria.

CulturalMaterialism

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No pages meet these criteria.

Feminist

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No pages meet these criteria.


Photograph

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Semiotics

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No pages meet these criteria.

ActorNetwork

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No pages meet these criteria.

Postcolonial

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No pages meet these criteria.

Narrative

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Digital Media and Information in Society/Student Journals/BeastRengoku/Narrative and Semiotics

Critical

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Phenomenological

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No pages meet these criteria.

CulturalMaterialism

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No pages meet these criteria.

Feminist

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No pages meet these criteria.

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