Introduction

Baudrillard and Postmodernism

In this course, Dr Ross Abbinnett (University of Birmingham) discusses postmodernism and the work of French sociologist Jean Baudrillard. In the first module, we'll introduce the work of Jean Baudrillard and how it relates to media studies. After this, we'll discuss the work of Theodor Adorno on culture industries and how this precedes the work of Jean Baudrillard. Then, we'll explore Baudrillard's idea of hyperreality. Finally, we'll look at how Braudrillard's thinking fits into the modern digital age.

Introduction

In this module, we'll introduce the work of Jean Baudrillard and how it relates to media studies. In particular, we will focus on: (i) how Baudrillard's work intersects with the topic of media technologies and technological change; (ii) how Baudrillard's work intersects with the topic of audiences and how this has changed in the digital age; (iii) how Baudrillard's work intersects with the topic of aesthetics and how technological change has changed presentation styles; and (iv) how Baudrillard's work intersects with the topic of the public sphere.