New Media and the Digitalisation of Everyday Life

The topic of digital media in the context of modern society is ever-evolving. We often wonder how new media shape our social world, how it affects us at an individual level, how digital media influences culture and vice versa. This 3-week programme will delve into the most pressing issues regarding digital media both through exploring political, societal and cultural implications, ultimately allowing us to understand digital media’s impact on every day life.


Since the 2000s, the boundaries between online and offline worlds have increasingly become more warped, and the lines that traditionally separated physical and digital realms are blurrier than ever. This accelerating fusion of virtual and physical realms characterises our current mode of existence as human beings. Everyday life is marked by rapidly changing technological conditions, which bring with them exciting and new possibilities as well as imminent ecological threats to our world. How can we make sense of this all?

This summer program is designed to dissect what it means to exist in the digital age in all of its complexity. Through new media analyses of culture, politics and sociality, you will develop a comprehensive view on the digitalisation of existence. You will engage with popular discourse, cutting edge research and dynamic texts to build an up-to-date understanding of the most pertinent issues surrounding new media, technology and everyday life.

Course leader

Dr. İdil Galip

Target group

Students with at least some university experience who are curious about digital media, society and (internet) culture.

Course aim

The course offers a blend of lectures, expert guest sessions, workshops and excursions so that the participants can cultivate a grounded and well-rounded understanding of the topics. These topics will be presented in three units over three weeks: culture (1), politics (2), and sociality (3). From internet aesthetics and subcultures, platform power and the future of work, to love on dating apps and sociality in video games, this programme will give you a guide to understanding new media and everyday life.

Credits info

6 EC
European Credits.

Fee info

EUR 1750: What's included in the fees?
All programmes organised through the Summer Programmes Office at the Graduate School of Social Sciences (including this programme) are designed so that you can focus on participating in the course and immersing yourself in your new environment. We make that possible by including the following in the tuition fee:

All course readings and materials
Online payment costs
Lunch on class days
Excursions and excursion lunches
Welcome and farewell events
Access to the digital learning environment and UvA (digital) library
A UvA Student Card
Access to all university buildings and facilities
An official transcript or certificate of participation
A public transit card with small starter amount (you will receive this at the Academic Opening on the Sunday at the start of the programme)
EUR 850: Approximate housing fee for the duration of the course. Arranging housing via our office is optional.

Scholarships

Please visit our website for scholarship opportunities.