https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/L_ZABAMKD3051. Analytical skills: performing a close reading of scientific texts and applying theoretical concepts to practical academic work. 2. Research skills: finding, identifying and analyzing historical and contemporary primary and secondary sources and preparing a research proposal. 3. Writing skills: writing a scientific article of 3000 words.In this research seminar, students investigate audiovisual media from the perspective of a specific theoretical concept. Students learn to view media culture from various comparative positions, examine the role of media technologies in various historical contexts, examine the connections between material practices, social dynamics and sensory histories, and explore and apply a range of concepts related to media, such as materiality and aesthetics. Students will develop a research proposal focused on a case study and write a 3,000-word paper.Workgroup seminars with active participation and discussion. Research Seminar Media is a workgroup seminar that gives you the opportunity to discuss the most recent topics in media studies in detail and receive focused feedback from the instructor and your peers. The course is centered around the close reading and critique of scientific texts, the analysis of case studies and the subsequent preparation and writing of a research paper. The instructor will provide brief introductions to the weekly topics, but the primary emphasis during contact hours is on direct and focused group debates. Your active participation is essential to the success of this class. There is plenty of room for discussion, and you are encouraged and expected to ask questions and actively contribute to the class with ideas, texts, case studies and other relevant and interesting material.Assessment takes place on the basis of a written seminar paper (70%; learning objectives 1, 2, 3), a research proposal (10%; learning objectives 1, 2, 3) and participation via class activities, shared reading annotations and smaller assignments (20%, learning objectives 1, 2). All partial assignments have to be complete before the final assignment can be submitted. Students themselves are responsible for monitoring their learning process and checking that all assignments have been completed. The minimum passing grade for the seminar paper is 6,0. One resit is possible; the last grade is the final grade. Papers graded lower than 6,0 may be resat on the same topic. Students who wish to resit a paper graded 6,0 or higher must choose a new subject. Resits automatically disqualify from a cum laude graduation.Jancovic, Marek, Axel Volmar, and Alexandra Schneider, eds.Format Matters: Standards, Practices, and Politics in Media Cultures. Lüneburg: meson press, 2020.This course is mandatory for third-year students in MKDA who follow the media track.For attendance rules, see Teaching and Examination Regulations. Students should be aware that regular attendance is necessary to pass the course.All 1st and 2nd year MKDA courses have to be concluded successfully.