TORONTO MEDIA SCHOOL AND ITS INTERPRETATION IN RUSSIA
Course syllabus by
Sergey Arkhipov
PART 1. H.A. INNIS’S COMMUNICATIONAL APPROACH TO THE
HISTORY
WEEK 1. PEOPLE AND
DISCOVERIES OF TORONTO
MEDIA SCHOOL
- The US, Canadian, and Russian
communication thought: proximity and distinctiveness
- Toronto Media
School and the other world renowned centers of
media studies
- Macro-historicism of Toronto
Media School
and empiricism of Chicago
Media School
- Toronto Media
School in the history of Canadian scholarship
- Foundational scholars and professors
- Concentration on time and space, written
and oral traditions
- Discovery the technological innovation
effect on the social and cultural changes
- Innis and McLuhan on Russia
READINGS:
REQUIRED
Babe, Robert E.
(2000). Canadian Communication Thought: Ten Foundational Writers. Toronto: University
of Toronto Press. Pp.:
3-39.
Innis, Harold A. (1972). Empire and Communications. Toronto:
University of Toronto Press. Pp.: 1-X11; 3-12.
RECOMMENDED
Arkhipov, S. (2004). Russian Diary by Harold Innis: Travel from Ottawa to Moscow.
In The History and Philosophy of Culture: Pressing Problems. Publication 7.
Edited by S. Arkhipov. Vladikavkaz: North-Ossetian University Press. Pp.: 13-31.
Available at: http://svarkhipov.narod.ru/vipu/inn.htm
Innis on Russia
(1981). The Russian Diary and Other Writing by Harold A. Innis. Edited
with a Preface by Prof. William Christian, University of Guelph.
Toronto: University of Toronto
Press. Pp.: 15-50.
Mattelart, A.,
Mattelart, M. (1998). Theories of Communication: A Short Introduction. London: Sage. Pp.:
148-151.
Rogers, Everett M. (1994). A
History of Communication Study: a Biographical Approach. New York, NY:
The Free Press. Pp. 484-489.
WEEK 2. COMUNICATION
MEANS IN ANTIENT EGYPT
- Detachment of the calendar from the
concrete phenomena in 4241 BC
- Adoption of pictorial decorations into
hieroglyphic script system by 3500 BC
- Obtaining a purely phonetic value by
picture signs by 3315 BC
- Stone in the pyramids as the first medium
of communication
- Administrative reforms and emergence of
papyrus
- Simplification of hieroglyphic script into
hieratic characters and growth of administration and army by 2000 BC
- Capturing Egypt and adaptation
hieroglyphic writing by Syrian Semitic peoples from 1660 to 1580 BC
- Establishing postal service and emergence
of cuneiform as a simpler medium of communication than hieroglyphics
READINGS:
REQUIRED
Innis, Harold A.
(1972). Empire and Communications. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. Pp.: 12-25.
Innis, Harold A.
(1999). The Bias of Communication. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. Pp.: 34-36; 65-68; 92-96.
RECOMENDED
Arkhipov, S. (2005). A
Role of Communications in the Early History of Civilizations: The Views from Moscow and Toronto.
In The History and Philosophy of Culture: Pressing Problems. Publication 8.
Edited by S. Arkhipov. Vladikavkaz: North-Ossetian University Press. Pp.: 172-184. Available at: http://svarkhipov.narod.ru/pup/serg.htm
McLuhan, Marshall (2000). The
Gutenberg Galaxy. Toronto: University of Toronto
Press. Pp.: 18-22; 48-51; 130-134.
McLuhan, Marshall. (2002)
Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man. Cambridge, MA:
The MIT Press. Pp.: 77-80.
WEEK 3. INTERWEAVING
OF COMMERCE AND COMMUNICATION IN BABYLONIA
- Growth of commercial activity and
inventing syllabic signs for writing by Sumer
in the southern Mesopotamia by 2900 BC
- Centralization of authority and uniformity
of business and scribal custom about 2474 BC
- Systematization of knowledge in temples
and libraries by Semitic invaders and emergence of alphabet with welding
of consonants and vowels
- Urban expansion and development of
writing, mathematic, standardization of weights, measures and adjustment
of calendar by 2000 BC
- Demand of trade and simplification the
script and appearance an alphabet of twenty –two linear signs in north Syria in
the tenth century
- The conquest of Egypt in 674 BC and further
simplification of writing through connecting phonetic alphabet with
papyrus
- Expanding maritime trade and the use of a
single shortened type of script
- A flexible alphabet and rapid development
of small nations, cities, and national form of religion
- Decline of Egypt
and development written tradition in Israel
READINGS:
REQUIRED
Innis, Harold A.
(1972). Empire and Communications. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. Pp.: 26-52.
RECOMMENDED
Arkhipov, S. (2005). A
Role of Communications in the Early History of Civilizations: The Views from Moscow and Toronto.
In The History and Philosophy of Culture: Pressing Problems. Publication 8.
Edited by S. Arkhipov. Vladikavkaz: North-Ossetian University Press. Pp.: 184-204. Available at: http://svarkhipov.narod.ru/pup/serg.htm
Innis, Harold A.
(1999). The Bias of Communication. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. Pp.: 33-60.
McLuhan, Marshall (2000). The
Gutenberg Galaxy. Toronto: University of Toronto
Press. Pp.: 24-26; 33-38; 48-54; 64-67.
McLuhan, Marshall. (2002)
Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man. Cambridge, MA:
The MIT Press. Pp.: 81-88.
WEEK 4. REFLECTION OF
POWER OF SPOKEN WORD IN GREEK CIVILIZATION
- Epic poetry as an outcome of long
evolution of oral tradition from 13th to 8th centuries
- Homeric poems and extension profession of
rhapsodists, minstrels, story-tellers, poets, singers, and philosophers
- High position of a woman and development
of lyric poetry
- Colonial activity and festivals of gods,
athletic and musical competitions; initiation the Olympic games in 776 BC
- Commercial and maritime interests and its
reliance on public opinion and forums
- Athenian democracy and extension of drama
- The culminating point of oral tradition in
Greek literature in the fifth century
- Raise of national enthusiasm and
strengthening political authority and suppression of mysticism and
individualistic religious cults after the Persian wars
- Spread of writing and collapse of Greek
civilization
READINGS:
REQUIRED
Innis, Harold A.
(1972). Empire and Communications. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. Pp.: 53-84.
RECOMMENDED
Innis, Harold A.
(1999). The Bias of Communication. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. Pp.: 61-91.
McLuhan, Marshall (2000). The
Gutenberg Galaxy. Toronto: University of Toronto
Press. Pp.: 51-64.
McLuhan, Marshall. (2002)
Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man. Cambridge, MA:
The MIT Press. Pp.: 41-47.
WEEK 5. WRITTEN
TRADITION IN THE ROMAN EMPIRE
- Introduction the alphabet by Greek traders
in the early part of the seventh century
- Establishing documentary procedure of
governing about 120 BC.
- Legal competence and reliance the whole
state on civil law
- Cheap supplies of papyrus and growth of
administrative system as well as large libraries
- Establishing grammar and rhetoric schools
and decline of the economy of stone writing in laws, treaties, and
official records
- Introduction the first official gazettes acta
diurna and acta senatus by Julius Caesar in 59 BC
- Spread of writing and emergence of the
empire
- Increase of education and appearance the
parchment codex and a book
- Christianity and widening writing in Europe
READINGS:
REQUIRED
Innis, Harold A.
(1972). Empire and Communications. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. Pp.: 85-114.
RECOMMENDED
Innis, Harold A. (1999).
The Bias of Communication. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. Pp.: 92-131.
McLuhan, Marshall (2000). The
Gutenberg Galaxy. Toronto: University of Toronto
Press. Pp.: 74-80; 84-90; 216-218.
McLuhan, Marshall. (2002)
Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man. Cambridge, MA:
The MIT Press. Pp.: 89-106.
WEEK 6. PARCHMENT AND
PAPER AS MEDIA OF COMMUNICION IN MEDIEVAL EUROPE
- Spread of Mohammedanism and cut off export
of papyrus from Egypt
- Establishing libraries and monasteries use
a parchment for books
- Demands for rapid writing and emergence of
a diversity of script
- Development of paper and ink in China
about 105 AD and introduction them to the West
- Invention the Glagolithic alphabet and
translation scriptures into Slavic by St. Cyril and St. Methodius
- Commercial revolution and spread the
manufacture of paper in Europe
- A fusion between ecclesiastical and
political organizations
- Spread of writing and improvement in
instruments
READINGS:
REQUIRED
Innis, Harold A.
(1972). Empire and Communications. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. Pp.: 116-140.
RECOMMENDED
Innis, Harold A.
(1999). The Bias of Communication. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. Pp.: 132-141.
McLuhan, Marshall (2000). The
Gutenberg Galaxy. Toronto: University of Toronto
Press. Pp.: 82-97; 105-124.
McLuhan, Marshall (2002).
Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man. Cambridge, MA:
The MIT Press. Pp.: 7-21.
WEEK 7. AGE OF
PRINTING PRESS
- Introduction of printing press in Mainz in 1462 and in Paris in 1469
- Offer printed Bible on a cost about one
fifth that of a manuscript Bible
- Increasing numbers of titles and
efficiency of printing and establishing press censorship in Germany in
1579
- Repressive measures against printers under
despotic monarchies and migration of publishers abroad
- Growth of advertisements, pamphlets, and
news-letters
- Great discoveries of Copernicus, Galileo, Columbus and growing
interest in books
- Improvements in paper industry and
appearance of a large numbers of newspapers
- Adoption the Bill of Rights guaranteeing
freedom of the press
- The power of the press: challenges and
opportunities
READINGS:
REQUIRED
Innis, Harold A.
(1972). Empire and Communications. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. Pp.: 141-170.
RECOMMENDED
Arkhipov, S.
(2001). “Freedom of Press in Russia
in the Epoch of Globalization”. In almanac: The Philosophical Age. European
Identity and Russian Mentality. St. Petersburg: St. Petersburg Center for History of Ideas. Pp.: 24-38.
Available at: http://ideashistory.org.ru/almanacs/alm16/04Arkhipov.htm
Innis, Harold A.
(1999). The Bias of Communication. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. Pp.: 142- 155.
McLuhan, Marshall (2000). The
Gutenberg Galaxy. Toronto: University of Toronto
Press. Pp.: 151-174.
McLuhan, Marshall (2002).
Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man. Cambridge, MA:
The MIT Press. Pp.: 22-33.
WEEK 8. MID-TERM TEST
PART 2. MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE VIEW OF M.H. MCLUHAN
WEEK 9. THE MEDIUM AS THE MESSAGE
1. Isolation and amplification of a sense
2. Left-hemisphere and right-hemisphere thinking
3. Interaction of audile (acoustic) space with
tactile (visual) space
4. Tetrad relationship between people and
environment
5. Detection the technique of discovery
6. Synchronic and diachronic linguistics
7. Human artifacts and utterances as extension of
body and psyche
8. Metaphorical and non-metaphorical approaches
9. Balance of the hemispheres in the grammar and
rhetoric
READINGS:
REQUIRED
McLuhan, Marshall and Powers, Bruce R. (1989). The Global Village:
Transformations in the World Life and Media in the 21st Century. Oxford: Oxford
University Press. Pp.:
3-34.
RECOMMENDED
Halizev, V.E. (2000). The Theory of Literature. Moscow: Visshaya Shkola. Pp.: 103-105.
McLuhan, Marshall
(2000). The Gutenberg Galaxy. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. Pp.: 176-191.
McLuhan, Marshall
(2002). Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man.
Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press. Pp.: 56-62.
WEEK 10. MEDIA EXPLORATION VISUAL AND ACOUSTIC SPACE
1. Creating its own space by each human sense
2. Acoustic culture in modern world
3. The act of an eye like a camera
4. Process of pattern recognition in the fourfold
action of the tetrad
5. Diachronic (quantitative) and synchronic
(qualitative) character of the consciousness
6. Left hemisphere orientation: reading, writing,
naming
7. Right hemisphere orientation: emotional,
intuitive, creative moves
8. Social and economical implication of the
hemispheres’ balance and dominance
READINGS:
REQUIRED
McLuhan, Marshall and Powers, Bruce R. (1989). The Global Village:
Transformations in the World Life and Media in the 21st Century. Oxford: Oxford
University Press. Pp.:
35-56.
RECOMMENDED
McLuhan, Marshall
(2000). The Gutenberg Galaxy. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. Pp.: 196-201.
McLuhan, Marshall.
(2002) Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man.
Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press. Pp.: 62-77.
Zasurskiy I.I. (1999). The Mass Media of the Second Republic.
Moscow: Moscow University
Press. Pp.: 15-16.
WEEK 11. EASTERN AND WESTERN MODELS OF COMMUNICATION
1. Phonetic alphabet and development of the left
hemisphere
2. Role of “linear thinking” in progress of
Western science, technology, and rationality
3. Western way of detachment from participating in
surrounding
4. Suppression of the right hemisphere and its
social consequences
5. The right-hemisphere culture and peculiarity of
the Orient art
6. Oriental tradition of dissolving in environment
7. Linear basis of Shannon-Weaver theory of mass
communication
8. Aristotelian causality model in electronic
culture
READINGS:
REQUIRED
McLuhan, Marshall and Powers, Bruce R. (1989). The Global Village:
Transformations in the World Life and Media in the 21st Century. Oxford: Oxford
University Press. Pp.:
57-80.
RECOMMENDED
Arkhipov, S. (2003).“Informational Picture of the World in Russia and the
Orient: Comparative Analysis”. In the Collected social scientific works Russia and the Orient: The Problems
of Cooperation. Volgograd: Volgograd University
Press. Pp.: 88-100.
Available at: http://transbound.narod.ru/orient/arkhipov.html
McLuhan, Marshall
(2000). The Gutenberg Galaxy. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. Pp.: 206-218.
McLuhan, Marshall.
(2002) Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man.
Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press. Pp.: 106-119.
WEEK 12. CULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE GLOBAL VILLAGE
1. Diversity and building up an economy based on
information exchange
2. Psychological shift from a dependence on Euclid thinking about
space to multi-faceted configurational mentality in the information age
3. The legend of Narcissus and reconstruction
people’ biological capabilities by media
4. Adjusting new communication technologies to
two-way quality and acoustic space
5. Computer moving information and its
consequences for social and private life
6. Lifting mass message transmission off the
earth’s surface to the space
7. The scope and size of the first phase of global
networking
8. High-speed information transmission and new
idea about center and margin structure
9. Russian extension of the global village
READINGS:
REQUIRED
McLuhan, Marshall and Powers, Bruce R. (1989). The Global Village:
Transformations in the World Life and Media in the 21st Century. Oxford: Oxford
University Press. Pp.:
83-129.
RECOMMENDED
McLuhan, Marshall
(2000). The Gutenberg Galaxy. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. Pp.: 222-239.
McLuhan, Marshall.
(2002) Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man.
Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press. Pp.: 123-145.
WEEK 13. “HOT” MEDIA OF MASS
COMMUNICATION
1. The major features of the “hot” and “cool”
media
2. Repeatability as the core of the print
technology in Renaissance
3. Homogenization of diverse regions as a psychic
and social result of print technology
4. Discovery of photography and rapid rise of
visual values
5. Convention language into a form of news in the
press
6. Ads and further homogenization of the social
life
7. Telegraph and creating interdependence among
all the institutions of society
8. Storing information in accessible form in film
9. The resonating dimension of radio
READINGS:
REQUIRED
McLuhan, Marshall.
(2002) Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man.
Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press. Pp.: 22-33; 188-216.
RECOMMENDED
McLuhan, Marshall.
(2002) Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man.
Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press. Pp.: 157- 163; 170-178;
226-233; 284-307.
McLuhan, Marshall
(2000). The Gutenberg Galaxy. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. Pp.: 240-251.
McLuhan, Marshall and Powers, Bruce R. (1989). The Global Village:
Transformations in the World Life and Media in the 21st Century. Oxford: Oxford
University Press. Pp.:
130-143.
Baran, Stanley
J., Davis, Dennis K. (1995). Mass Communication Theory: Foundations, Ferment,
and Future. Belmont, CA.: Wadsworth Publishing Company. Pp.: 325-329.
WEEK 14. “COOL” MEDIA OF MASS COMMUNICATION
1. Separate characters of the spoken and written
words
2. Adaptation comics to the mosaic form of a
newspaper
3. Game as an extension of people social selves
4. Personal nature of communication through
telephone
5. Adaptation TV to the presentation of processes
rather than of products
6. “Low definition”, little detail, and a low
degree of information attained to the TV image
7. The TV image as a process of analytic
fragmentation of sensory life
8. Educational role of TV
READINGS:
REQUIRED
McLuhan, Marshall.
(2002) Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man.
Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press. Pp.: 308-337.
RECOMMENDED
McLuhan, Marshall.
(2002) Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man.
Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press. Pp.: 77-88; 164-169;
234-245; 265-274.
McLuhan, Marshall
(2000). The Gutenberg Galaxy. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. Pp.: 251-261.
McGuail, Denis (1994). Mass Communication Theory: An Introduction. London: Sage. Pp.: 85-86;
107-111.
WEEK 15. FINAL EXAM
H